Benjamin Miner

he/him/his, Associate Dean, Professor of Biology

About

Benjamin Miner began working at WWU in 2006, starting as an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and moving up to professor in 2016.  He has served as the Chair of the Department of Biology from 2020-2022. 

Dr. Miner holds a doctorate in zoology from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts in marine science from the University of California, Santa Cruz.  Prior to WWU, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Davis at the Bodega Marine Laboratory. 

Dr. Miner’s research and teaching relates to the biology of marine organisms, with a focus on the ecology and evolution of how organisms adjust to changes in their environment.  He uses field, laboratory, and mathematical modelling techniques to answer his research questions.  His courses span the range from introductory biology for majors to graduate-level courses.  Similar to many faculty members in the College of Science and Engineering, Dr. Miner works closely with students in his courses and research to help develop students’ critical thinking and scientific skills needed to address important questions.