Dr. Andrea Lucky

Associate Professor
Insect Systematics

Dr. Lucky is an evolutionary biologist and biodiversity scientist with a focus on insects, specifically the evolution of ants. Her research program focuses on two main themes:

1. insect evolution and biodiversity
2. science communication with non-scientific audiences

Research in the Lucky Lab addresses fundamental questions about evolutionary relationships among different ant lineages and the timing of dispersal and diversification that has led to the distribution patterns we see today. The approach to answering these questions involves tools such as insect morphology to molecular genetics to phylogenetic statistics. In combination with these research interests, Dr. Lucky uses citizen science as a tool to involve the public in research about native and invasive insects, and to teach about science in general. A major goal of these projects is to make the process of ‘doing’ science accessible to non-scientists. 

Contact

2125 Steinmetz Hall
1881 Natural Area Dr.
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 273-3952
alucky@ufl.edu

• Lucky Laboratory Website:
  • http://www.andrealucky.com/
• Education
  • Ph.D. Entomology University of California Davis 2010
  • B.A. Biology Brown University 2000
• Recent Honors and Awards
  • 2020-2021 – U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2018-2019 – USDA Excellence in Teaching Award, United States Department of Agriculture Food and Agriculture Sciences
  • 2018-2019 – Faculty Fellow of the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute
  • 2018-2019 – UF CALS Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award
  • 2017 – Educator Award, National Association of College Teachers of Agriculture
  • 2017-2018 – UF Online Education Excellence Award for Student Engagement in ENY2040, The Insects.
  • 2014-2015 – UF CALS Undergraduate Teacher of the Year