#  Neuroethology & Behavioral Ecology Faculty 

 



We investigate causal, developmental, functional, and evolutionary aspects of animal behavior. This includes analyzing genetic, neural and psychological mechanisms underlying behavior, as well as their evolutionary consequences in terms of speciation and diversification. Research is conducted both in laboratory and field populations.

Within OEB, we focus primarily on animal systems other than humans, including the neurobiology of learning and memory, the behavioral ecology of species interactions, mating behavior and its role in species divergence, and perceptions involved in social interactions.



 

  [### Benjamin L. de Bivort

 ](/people/benjamin-de-bivort) <debivort@oeb.harvard.edu>Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Co-Chair of the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

 

 

 

      ![Benjamin de Bivort with beard and mustache wearing a red shirt and black jacket smiling](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/oeb/files/benjamin_de_bivort-2.jpeg?itok=wrRgNY_x) 

 

 

 

   [### Scott V. Edwards

 ](/people/scott-v-edwards) <sedwards@fas.harvard.edu>Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Curator of Ornithology in the Museum of Comparative Zoology

 

 

 

      ![Scott Edwards smiling, with short grey hair and beard, wearing light blue button down, with light grey background](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/oeb/files/scott_edwards_crop.jpeg?itok=CTYKumrd) 

 

 

 

   [### Brian D. Farrell

 ](/people/brian-d-farrell) <farrellb@oeb.harvard.edu>Sabbatical Academic Year 2025-2026

Monique and Philip Lehner Professor for the Study of Latin America

Professor of Biology

Curator of Entomology in the Museum of Comparative Zoology

 

 

 

      ![Brian D. Farrell with grey beard and hair, wearing white short sleeve button down, with spike green leaves behind him](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/oeb/files/farrell.jpg?itok=B9n0E1GD) 

 

 

 

   [### David A. Haig

 ](/people/david-haig) <dhaig@oeb.harvard.edu>George Putnam Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology 

Associate of Dudley House

 

 

 

      ![David Haig with gray hair, a beard, wearing glasses and a suit, in front of grey background](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/oeb/files/david_haig_crop.jpeg?itok=5h0-SS6i) 

 

 

 

   [### Hopi E. Hoekstra

 ](/people/hopi-e-hoekstra) [hopi\_hoekstra@harvard.edu](mailto:hopi_hoekstra@harvard.edu)Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

C.Y. Chan Professor of Arts and Sciences

Xiaomeng Tong and Yu Chen Professor of Life Sciences

Senior Fellow of the Society of Fellows, ex officio

Not Accepting Graduate Students

 

 

 

      ![Hopi Hoekstra smiling, learning on doorway, with long hair and black shirt with white pattern](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/oeb/files/hopi_hoekstra.jpeg?itok=iTl97Pr8) 

 

 

 

   [### Robin Hopkins

 ](/people/robin-hopkins) <rhopkins@fas.harvard.edu>Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Faculty Fellow of the Arnold Arboretum

 

 

 

      ![Robin Hopkins smiling, with short hair, grey sweater and pink top, in front of light grey background](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/oeb/files/robin_hopkins_crop.jpeg?itok=WSizin16) 

 

 

 

   [### Bence P. Ölveczky

 ](/people/bence-p-olveczky) <olveczky@fas.harvard.edu>Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

 

 

 

      ![Bence Olveczky smiling, with short brown hair, a light purple shirt, and dark red sweater](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/oeb/files/bence_olveczky_crop.jpeg?itok=JfVmCZIa) 

 

 

 

   [### Naomi E. Pierce

 ](/people/naomi-e-pierce) <npierce@oeb.harvard.edu>Sidney A. and John H. Hessel Professor of Biology

Curator of Lepidoptera in the Museum of Comparative Zoology

Senior Fellow of the Society of Fellows

 

 

 

      ![Naomi Pierce with long grey hair pulled back, glasses on head, dark sweater, light shirt, and colorful scarf](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/oeb/files/naomi_pierce_crop.jpeg?itok=ZQmyvtl1) 

 

 

 

   [### Yun Zhang

 ](/people/yun-zhang) <yzhang@oeb.harvard.edu>Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

 

 

 

      ![Yun Zhang with short black hair, glasses, and black patterned shirt, standing near window](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/oeb/files/zhangyun300.jpeg?itok=1j-jEM_f)