author

Robert K. Selander

An influential evolutionary biologist and geneticist, he helped reshape how scientists study natural populations and the evolution of microbes. His work ranged from birds to bacteria, and colleagues remembered him for both sharp scientific instincts and a lifelong love of music.

1 Audiobook

Vertebrates from the Barrier Island of Tamaulipas, México

Vertebrates from the Barrier Island of Tamaulipas, México

by Richard F. Johnston, Gerald G. Raun, Robert K. Selander, B. J. Wilks

About the author

Born in Garfield, Utah, on July 21, 1927, he studied zoology at the University of Utah, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees before going on to doctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley. Early in his career he focused on birds and biogeography, building a reputation as an exceptional field naturalist.

Over time, his research expanded in striking ways. He became known for important work on genetic variation in animal populations and later on the molecular evolution of microbial pathogens, earning election to the National Academy of Sciences in 1982. A biographical memoir published by the National Academy describes him as a central figure in several major areas of evolutionary biology.

He died on June 14, 2015. The same memoir also paints a vivid picture of a scientist with wide interests beyond the lab: although he chose biology over a scholarship to Juilliard, music remained part of his life, from jazz piano to arranging and conducting standards for local ensembles.