Deborah M Gordon

Deborah M Gordon is a Lecturer in the Department of Biology at Stanford University. Her research focuses on collective behavior, particularly in ants, with interests in modelling, genetics, neurophysiology, ecology, and evolution. She studies how ant colonies function without central control through networks of simple interactions and how these networks evolve in response to environmental changes. Her work includes long-term studies of harvester ant colonies in Arizona, invasive Argentine ants in northern California, and ant-plant mutualisms in Central America. She holds a BA from Oberlin College, an M.Sc. from Stanford University, and a PhD from Duke University.

Deborah M Gordon is a professor in the Department of Biology at Stanford University, specializing in collective behavior ecology and ants. Her research explores the organization of work in social insect colonies, focusing on how ants coordinate tasks and interact within their colonies. She investigates the ecological impacts of invasive ant species, such as the Argentine ant, on native biodiversity and community dynamics. Her work also examines the role of cuticular hydrocarbons in nestmate recognition and task allocation. Through empirical studies, she contributes to understanding the behavioral flexibility and foraging ecology of ants, emphasizing the interplay between individual behavior and collective outcomes in social insect societies.