Guggenheim Fellowships have been awarded this year to three scholars and several alumni from the University of Chicago. The distinguished artists, writers and scientists join the 100th class of Guggenheim Fellows honored for “prior career achievement and exceptional promise.” Prof. Marcus Kronforst (CEB, E&E and Integrative Bio) is among the 198 distinguished individuals selected from a pool of nearly 3,500 applicants. As established in 1925 by founder Senator Simon Guggenheim, each fellow receives a monetary stipend to pursue work under “the freest possible conditions.” Kronforst's research focuses on the genetics and evolution of mimicry and speciation in butterflies.
He and the members of his lab apply a combination of molecular and population genetics, genomics, functional genetics, genome editing and behavioral studies to address questions regarding the evolution and mechanics of adaptation and speciation. For example, in previous research, he has shown that a single genetic switch can change wing color in butterflies, and that monarch butterflies bred in captivity likely lose the ability to migrate.
Kronforst plans to use the Guggenheim Fellowship to work in Australia for six months studying female-limited polymorphism in the butterfly Papilio aegeus—a project that will deepen our knowledge of how genetic factors shape the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits, which are critical for survival in many species, as well as providing insights that could help with biodiversity conservation.
“I am very excited about this fellowship because it will help me finally tackle a project that my lab and I have been thinking about for many years,” Kronforst said. “It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I feel very fortunate to have been selected.”
The full story by Tori Lee and Louise Lerner was originally published on April 16, 2025.