Ani Hristova , Ph.D.
919 E. Shaw Lane
Holmes Hall, Room E-7
East Lansing, MI 48825
United States
LBC Courses Taught
Biography
Hi! I'm Dr. Ani Hristova, an evolutionary biologist and neuroscientist with a passion for teaching and natural history collections stewardship. I hold a dual Ph.D. in Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from Michigan State University (Go Green!). My doctoral research focused on how brain shape and size have evolved across a diverse family of carnivores, the Mustelidae, which includes badgers, weasels, otters, and their relatives, and explored how diversity in ecology and behavior influence brain shape and size.
Education
- Dual Ph.D. in Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, Michigan State University
- Dual B.S. in Zoology and Psychology, Michigan State University
Honors and Awards
- Don Hall Fellowship from the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, Michigan State University
- 2026 and 2023 EEB Summer Fellowships from the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
- Michigan State University Educator Award #iTeachMSU
- Michigan State University College of Natural Science Dissertation Completion Fellowship
- Michigan State University Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching Award from the Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University
Publications
Hristova, A.E., Sakai, S., Lundrigan, B. (In Review) Ecology and functional adaptation drive brain shape evolution in Mustelidae. PLOS One.
Smith, O.M., Davis, K.L., ... Hristova, A.E., ... Davis, C.L. (2024) Journals must expand access to peer review data. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2024.02.003
Smith, O.M., Davis, K.L., ... Hristova, A.E., ... Davis, C.L. (2023) Peer review perpetuates barriers for historically excluded groups. Nature Ecology & Evolution. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-01999-w
Sakai, S., Arsznov, B., Hristova, A.E., Yoon, E., Lundrigan, B. (2016) Big Cat Coalitions: A comparative analysis of regional brain volumes in Felidae. Frontiers in Neuroscience. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2016.00099