Nicholas Fletcher

Nick Fletcher was named the Program Director of Life Sciences in Summer 2024. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Biology from the University of California Berkeley and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University. His dissertation research focused on evolutionary genomics, with a special interest in applying genomic tools to the conservation of animals in the wild.  

Between his studies at Berkeley and Cornell, he worked at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, where he focused on renal physiology and hypertension. During his Ph.D., he was fortunate to teach a variety of field courses, including trips to the Galápagos Islands and Argentine Patagonia.

Prior to starting at the University of Maryland (UMD) as a Lecturer in the Department of Biology in 2020, Nick taught molecular and cellular biology for a year at Montgomery College, Takoma Park/ Silver Spring. Since starting at UMD, Fletcher has taught courses in molecular and cellular biology, organismal biology, evolutionary biology, and a non-majors course focused on human biological diversity. 

He enjoys natural history, mushroom hunting, fishing, traveling, and reading, but his favorite activity is going on hikes with his dog, Dana.