Dr. Firneno is an organismal evolutionary biologist who uses an integrative biodiversity genomics approach to study speciation and biological diversification. His overarching research goal is to understand the adaptive mechanisms by which biodiversity is generated and maintained in response to novelty. He uses a cross disciplinary approach to conduct hypothesis driven research, whereby he integrates emerging trends and tools in several “omic”-based methods (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics), evolutionary ecology, population genetics, and genotype-phenotype associations with organismal biology and natural history to understand how microevolutionary processes drive patterns of diversity at the levels of both the genotype and phenotype, how these patterns are shaped by the surrounding environments, and how these processes translate to larger evolutionary scales. 

Dr. Firneno's teaching has included courses in general biology, genetics and genomics, evolution, and organismal biology. The natural world has always fascinated him and he strives to pass on this passion to others. He integrates both concept-oriented and experiential-learning strategies into his teaching and mentorship to equip students with the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage themselves and others in the wonders of nature and the world around them.

When not teaching or in the lab, Dr. Firneno is usually spending time with his husband and their three cats, traveling and experiencing new places, getting outside for a hike and to take in nature, or just relaxing with a book.