Dr. Angela E. Douglas is a distinguished entomologist whose pioneering research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of insect-microbial symbioses. She currently holds the position of Professor Emerita in Entomology at Cornell University, where she previously served as the Daljit S. and Elaine Sarkaria Professor of Insect Physiology and Toxicology from 2008 until her transition to emerita status. Born in 1956, she earned her BA in Zoology from the University of Oxford in 1978 and completed her PhD in Microbiology at the University of Aberdeen in 1981. Her early career included significant postdoctoral research at prestigious institutions including the University of Oxford and the University of East Anglia, followed by a decade-long Royal Society Research Fellowship that established her reputation in the field of symbiotic relationships.
Dr. Douglas's groundbreaking research has focused on the nutritional physiology of insects and their symbiotic relationships with microorganisms, particularly in aphids and Drosophila fruitflies. Her seminal work revealed the intricate mechanisms by which insects maintain mutualistic associations with bacteria, fundamentally altering our understanding of insect nutrition and evolution. She has authored numerous influential publications including the authoritative text The Symbiotic Habit (2010), which has become a cornerstone reference in the field of symbiosis research. As co-editor of the fifth edition of R.F. Chapman's The Insects: Structure and Function, she has helped shape entomological education for a new generation of scientists. Her research has established critical frameworks for understanding how microbial communities influence host physiology, providing insights with implications across evolutionary biology, ecology, and microbiome science.
Beyond her laboratory research, Dr. Douglas has made substantial contributions to the scientific community through her service as editor of the Annual Review of Entomology from 2019 to 2021, where she guided the publication of cutting-edge reviews that have shaped the direction of entomological research. Recognized with prestigious honors including the Entomological Society of America's Recognition Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology (2015) and Kiel University's Karl August Möbius Fellowship (2017), her work continues to inspire researchers worldwide. In her transition to emerita status, she has expanded her intellectual horizons, channeling her deep knowledge of natural systems into literary pursuits, most notably with her 2023 book Nature On The Doorstep published by Cornell University Press. This graceful evolution from empirical scientist to science communicator exemplifies her enduring commitment to making complex biological concepts accessible while continuing to influence how we understand the interconnectedness of life.
