Damian Octavio Elias

Research Description

In the Elias Lab, we strive to understand the mechanisms that guide behavior and how these mechanisms relate to behavioral adaptation. We use a variety of systems and tools to investigate how animals produce and process complex stimuli and the interplay between physics, behavior, and evolution.

Education

PhD, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, 2005

B.Sc, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, 1998

Recent Teaching

Undergraduate Teaching – Animal Behavior (ESPM C126/IBC144), Animal Communication (ESPM C156/ IB C145)

Graduate Teaching – Animal Studies in Multispecies Worlds (ESPM 252), Research Reviews in Animal Behavior (ESPM C204/ IB C204)

Recent Appointments

• 2024 - Present, Chair, Division of Organisms and Environment, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley

• 2021 – Present, Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California at Berkeley

• 2019 – Present, Affiliated Faculty in the Essig Museum of Entomology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California

• 2017 – 2021, Head Graduate Adviser and Chair of Graduate Programs Committee, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management,University of California at Berkeley

• 2014 – 2021, Associate Professor, , Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, 

• 2009 - 2014Assistant Professor, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA

Selected Publications

Google Scholar

Selected Honors and Awards

• 2024 – present, William M. and Esther G. Schlinger Endowed Chair in Systematic Entomology 

• 2024, Chancellor’s Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence and Equity

• 2023, Animal Behavior Society Exceptional Service Award

• 2021, Fellow, California Academy of Sciences

• 2019, Faculty Mentorship and Service Award

Professional Service

• Sustainable Mentoring @ Berkeley (2025-Present)

• UC Berkeley Graduate Diversity Leadership Academy (2022-2024)

• UC Berkeley Graduate Admissions Institute (2022-2025)

• Equity in Graduate Education Consortium (2021 – Present)

• Animal Behavior Society Diversity Committee (2015 - Present)