Biography
Dr. Firneno joined the Juniata faculty as an assitant professor in 2024. He earned his bachelor's degree in 2011 from Duquesne University, his master's degree in 2016 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and his doctorate in 2021 from the University of Texas at Arlington. He then came to Juniata from a two-year postdoctoral research fellowship with the National Science Foundation working with Dr. Erica Larson at the University of Denver.
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 mechanisms that promote and maintain biodiversity and drive diversification across multiple levels of biological organization. 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), statistical and comparative phylogenomics, population genetics, and genotype-phenotype associations with organismal biology and natural history to understand how molecular mechanisms and microevolutionary processes interact with organismal traits to generate and maintain diversity in natural populations. His specialties include genetics/genomics, field biology and natural history, and bioinformatics.
Dr. Firneno's teaching has included courses in general biology, genetics and genomics, evolution, and zoology. 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.
To learn more about his resarch and teaching visit www.tjfirneno.space.