Rate My Professor Nathalie Wright

Natalie Wright, Associate Professor of Biology at Kenyon College since 2017, earned her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in 2015, Master of Science in 2009, and Bachelor of Science in 2005 from the University of Florida. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Montana. Wright studies the evolution, ecology, and anatomy of birds with a focus on flight, aiming to understand how flight affects bird evolution and how ecological factors drive the evolution of flight-related traits. Her lab uses detailed anatomical studies of museum specimens, phylogenetic comparative analyses across large datasets, and biomechanics experiments in lab and field settings. She has extensive experience studying wild birds in locales across the United States, Peru, Malaysia, and Caribbean islands. Current research includes evolution toward flightlessness in island birds, development of flight ability in baby songbirds, and sexual dimorphism in flight muscles and performance.

In 2023, Wright received a National Science Foundation CAREER award exceeding $766,000 for her project on the evolutionary causes and functional consequences of sexual dimorphism in flight muscle size in birds, examining over 1,000 species over five years. She was awarded tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2024. Key publications include "Predictable evolution toward flightlessness in volant island birds" (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2016), "Evidence for mesothermy in dinosaurs" (Science, 2014), "Metabolic 'engines' of flight drive genome size reduction in birds" (Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2014), and "Relative forelimb–hindlimb investment is associated with flight style, foraging strategy, and nestling period" (Ornithology, 2022). Wright teaches Evolution (BIOL 241), Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (BIOL 247/248), Ornithology (BIOL 330), and senior seminars. She serves as co-chair of the Faculty Senate.