The Theodosius Dobzhansky Prize is awarded annually by the Society for the Study of Evolution to recognize the accomplishments and future promise of an outstanding young evolutionary biologist. The prize was established in memory of Professor Dobzhansky by his friends and colleagues, and reflects his lifelong commitment to fostering the research careers of young scientists. 

2018 Prize Winner

Congratulations to the 2018 Dobzhansky Prize winner, Dr. Amanda Kyle Gibson! Dr. Gibson is a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University studying the evolution and ecology of infectious diseases. She will start as an assistant professor at the University of Virginia in 2019. Her research investigates the paradox of sexual reproduction, the evolution of virulence, and variation in infection prevalence. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Amherst College and her PhD at Indiana University. She received a Rosemary Grant Award in 2012, the T.H. Huxley Award in 2016, and the John Maynard Smith Prize from the European Society for Evolutionary Biology in 2017. She also presented her research as a Hamilton Finalist at the 2016 Evolution meeting in Austin, TX. Dr. Gibson’s work has appeared in the journals Evolution, American Naturalist, Evolution Letters, Journal of Nematology, and Journal of Evolutionary Biology.

Application Procedure

Eligibility - We consider candidates working on all areas of evolutionary biology, broadly defined. We are specifically looking for candidates that take creative approaches to answering pressing questions in evolutionary biology. We will consider people working on any taxonomic group (i.e., plants, animals, fungi, microbes, etc.) and who take empirical and/or theoretical approaches. We value diversity, and are seeking a broad and diverse applicant pool from all axes and components of diversity in the evolutionary biology community.

The candidate must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent) awarded no earlier than May 2014 and no later than February 1, 2018, and must be actively involved in research in the field of evolutionary biology.  There are no other restrictions.  Applicants do not have to be members of the Society for the Study of Evolution, but membership is encouraged.

Nomination/Application - Candidates may apply directly or may be nominated. Each candidacy must be supported by the following materials detailing the candidate's career to date: (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) a summary of research accomplishments of up to 3 pages, (3) a statement of up to 4 pages of research plans for the next 5 years (note length limitation), (4) pdf copies of three recent publications, (5) names and addresses of the three referees (including the nominating scientist where applicable) who have sent supporting letters. N.B.: The three letters of reference are sent separately, but no application will be considered without these letters.

The application/nomination materials must be sent as PDF e-mail attachments, preferably united in a single file. All materials should be sent to the SSE Secretary (John Stinchcombe) at secretary@evolutionsociety.org by March 1, 2018.

Award - The Dobzhansky Prize is accompanied by a check for U.S. $5000, and will be awarded at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Evolution, 2018, in Montpellier. The recipient is expected to be present to receive the award and to give an oral presentation about his/her research. To facilitate attendance, the SSE provides funds to cover the costs of conference registration, accommodation during the conference, and expenses for travel to and from the conference. The recipient will be notified of the award in late April.

Past Dobzhansky Prize winners: