Rate My Professor Cameron Siler

Cameron Siler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and Biological Survey Director at the University of Oklahoma, where he also serves as Associate Curator of Herpetology at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. He earned his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Kansas between 2005 and 2011. Since joining the University of Oklahoma in 2013, Siler has advanced from Assistant Professor and Assistant Curator to his current roles, directing collection-based research programs that integrate macroevolutionary studies with regional, national, and international collaborations in biodiversity, education, and conservation. His Biodiversity Research and Education Lab emphasizes interdisciplinary initiatives, particularly between U.S. and Asian institutions, and maintains a strong focus on undergraduate and graduate student mentorship through laboratory research and global field expeditions.

Siler's research adopts a broad, multifaceted approach to herpetology, investigating the evolution of morphology and body form, patterns of diversification, cryptic diversity, and speciation processes in island archipelago systems. His lab also advances applied conservation efforts in wildlife management, microbiomics, and emerging infectious diseases affecting amphibians and reptiles. Key publications include 'Multilocus phylogeny reveals unexpected diversification patterns in Asian wolf snakes (genus Lycodon)' (Zoologica Scripta, 2013) and contributions to syntheses such as 'Synopsis of the snakes of the Philippines: A synthesis of data from biodiversity repositories, field studies, and the literature.' With over 6,160 citations on Google Scholar, Siler's work has significantly influenced evolutionary biology and herpetology. He received the Irene Rothbaum Award for Outstanding Assistant Professor from the University of Oklahoma College of Arts and Sciences in 2017 and was a Fulbright U.S. Student Scholar in 2004 for research in the Philippines. Siler actively promotes biodiversity conservation in Oklahoma through ongoing initiatives.