Michi Tobler

About

Michi Tobler is a Professor of Biology at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a Senior Scientist at the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute. He grew up in Switzerland and earned degrees from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and the University of Zurich. His research examines the causes and consequences of biological diversification, with a focus on how organisms evolve and adapt to extreme environments and how this knowledge can inform conservation. His lab integrates genomic, ecological, and evolutionary approaches to study fishes inhabiting caves, hydrogen sulfide–rich springs, desert wetlands, and other groundwater-dependent ecosystems—many of which face significant conservation threats. Tobler conducts fieldwork across North American deserts, Latin America, and Missouri, working closely with zoos, conservation organizations, and state and federal agencies to translate science into action for biodiversity protection. In addition to his research, he is actively engaged in science communication and in training students and scientists to share research in ways that inspire conservation.