D. Christopher Rogers

D. Christopher Rogers
  • Associate Research Professor

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Biography —

Christopher was home schooled and took the High School Equivalency exam at age 14, starting college at 16. He eventually dropped out of college to pursue his research. He studies the evolution, biogeography, systematics, phylogeny, ecology, behavior and conservation of branchiopod crustaceans, such as fairy shrimp, tadpole shrimp and clam shrimp. He also researches the dispersal and population dynamic of mosquitoes and ticks. 

Rogers has completely self-funded his salary and research costs at our research center with external funding for the past 10 years. He has more than 200 publications, has described more than 60 new branchiopod taxa and serves as the state medical entomologist. 

Education —

Ph.D. in Crustacean evolution, systematics, and biogeography, University of New England, 2015, New South Wales, Australia
cum laude

Research —

Christopher's areas of specialization include:

  • Systematics of the Branchiopoda
  • Biogeography of the Branchiopoda
  • Biodiversity of the freshwater and terrestrial decapods of the Marianas Islands
  • Standardization methods for bioassessment taxonomy
  • Bioassessment methods for temporary aquatic habitats
  • Mosquito monitoring for the State of Kansas

His research interests include: 

  • Diversity, systematics, and biogeography of the Anostraca, Notostraca, Spinicaudata, Cyclestherida and Laevicaudata
  • Freshwater and terrestrial decapod fauna of Guam
  • Macroinvertebrate succession in playas and vernal pools
  • Wood boring beetle fauna of the Fitch Natural History Reservation