R YAN A. E LLINGSON , P H .D.

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
610 CHARLES E. YOUNG DR. EAST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90032
rellingson@ucla.edu

EDUCATION
Ph.D., Biology, UCLA (Advisor: David K. Jacobs), December 2012
M.S., Biology, California State University, Los Angeles (Advisor: Patrick J. Krug), June 2006
B.S., Biology, University of California, Riverside, March 2000

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
2017presentAssistant Adjunct Professor, UCLA
20132017Postdoctoral Researcher, Cal State LA
20132017Lecturer, UCLA
2015Lecturer, Cal State LA
200912Teaching Fellow, UCLA
200712 (summers)Graduate Research Assistant, UCLA
200709Teaching Associate, UCLA
2004Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, Cal State LA
200304Research Assistant, Department of Biology, Cal State LA
200203Research Assistant, Oligonucleotide Synthesis Lab, California Institute of Technology

RESEARCH INTERESTS

- evolution of coastal fishes and invertebrates

- phylogenetics, phylogeography, and population genetics
- population connectivity and dispersal strategies
- origins of biodiversity and endemism
- comparative analyses of species diversification:
ecological speciation via habitat or host shifts
lineage diversification and trait evolution
- coastal geology and biogeography of the North Pacific

PUBLICATIONS (*Article featured on journal cover)

Dolby, G.A., R. Hechinger, R.A. Ellingson, L.T. Findley, J. Lorda and D.K. Jacobs. 2016. Sea-level
driven glacial-age refugia and post-glacial mixing on subtropical coasts, a palaeohabitat and genetic
study. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 283: 20161571.
Swift, C.C., B. Spies, R.A. Ellingson, and D.K. Jacobs. 2016. A new species of endangered fish of the
goby genus Eucyclogobius in southern California with a discussion of sexual dimorphism, evolutionary
divergence, and the history of anthropogenic influence. PLoS ONE. 11(7): e0158543.
Goodheart, J.A., R.A. Ellingson, X.G. Vital, H. Galvo Filho, J.B. McCarthy, S.M. Medrano, V.J.
Bhave, K. Garca-Mndez, L.M. Jimnez, G. Lpez, C.A. Hoover, J.D. Awbrey, J.M. de Jesus, W.

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 Gowacki, P.J. Krug and ngel Valds. 2016. Identification guide to the heterobranch sea slugs
(Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Bocas del Toro, Panama. Marine Biodiversity Records. 9:56. DOI:
10.1186/s41200-016-0048-z
*Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. 2016. Reduced genetic diversity and increased reproductive isolation
follow population-level loss of larval dispersal in a marine gastropod. Evolution. 70:1837.
*Krug, P.J., J.E. Vendetti, R.A. Ellingson, D. Trathen, A. Rodriguez, Y. Hirano, C. Swennen, A.
Valdes, and C. Trowbridge. 2015. Causes and consequences of evolutionary shifts in larval
development mode for a clade of marine gastropods. Systematic Biology. 64:983999.
Ellingson, R.A., C.C. Swift, L.T. Findley and D.K. Jacobs. 2014. Convergent adaptation to infaunal
habitat in geographically isolated Bay gobies (Teleostei: Gobionellidae) of the temperate North
Pacific. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 70:464477.
Swift, C.C., L.T. Findley, R.A. Ellingson, K.W. Flessa and D.K. Jacobs. 2011. The Delta Mudsucker
Gillichthys detrusus, a valid species (Teleostei: Gobiidae) endemic to the Colorado River Delta,
northernmost Gulf of California, Mexico. Copeia. 2011(1):93102.
Krug, P.J., R.A. Ellingson, R. Burton and A. Valds. 2007. A new poecilogonous species of sea slug
(Opisthobranchia: Sacoglossa) from California: comparison with the planktotrophic congener A.
modesta Lovn. Journal of Molluscan Studies. 73:2938.
Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. 2006. Evolution of poecilogony from planktotrophy: cryptic speciation,
phylogeography and larval development in the gastropod genus Alderia. Evolution. 60:22932310.

MANUSCRIPTS IN REVIEW/PREPARATION
Ellingson, R.A., J. Chang and D.K. Jacobs. Random local clocks and biogeographic time calibration are
broadly underutilized techniques that substantially improve divergence time estimates in Gulf of
California fishes. Revisions submitted to BMC Evolutionary Biology.
Dolby, G.A., R.A. Ellingson, L.T. Findley and D.K. Jacobs. Glacially mediated sea-level change
generates refugia on subtropical coasts. In revision for Molecular Ecology.
Ellingson, R.A., J. Vo, A. Llaban and P.J. Krug. Recurrent trans-Arctic migration and vicariance in a
cosmopolitan sea slug driven by Pleistocene glacial cycles. In revision for Journal of Biogeography.
Berriman, J., D. Rico, R.A. Ellingson, A. Valds, N. Wilson and P.J. Krug. Multilocus species
delimitation doubles recognized diversity in the sea slug genus Oxynoe, consumers of the killer
algae Caulerpa spp. In preparation for Molecular Ecology.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Assistant Adjunct Professor/Lecturer, UCLA, GE70: Evolution of the Cosmos & Life20132017;
LS1: Evolution, Ecology, & Biodiversity2016present; EEB120: Evolution2017present.
Assistant Instructor, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute at Bocas del Toro, Panama, Taxonomy
and Biology of Sea SlugsJuly/August 2015
Lecturer, Cal State Los Angeles, BIOL418: Advanced EvolutionSpring 2015
Instructor of Record, UCLA, Survival of the Sexiest: The Evolution of Animal Reproduction
(undergraduate seminar)Spring 2010, 2013, 2014
Teaching Fellow, UCLA, Marine Field Ecology in Moorea, French PolynesiaSpring 2008, 2012;
GE70: Evolution of the Cosmos and LifeAY 200910
Teaching Associate, UCLA, EEB120: EvolutionWinter 2007; EEB121: Molecular Evolution
Spring 2007; Marine Field Ecology in Moorea, French PolynesiaSpring 2008
Lab Instructor, Baldwin Park High School (CA), AP and Honors BiologyAY 200405, 200506
Teaching Assistant, Cal State Los Angeles, Animal BiologyWinter and Spring 2004

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WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION

- UCLA Faculty Workshop on Best Practices in Teaching, Center for Education Innovation and Learning
in the Sciences2016
- Workshop on Molecular Evolution, Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts2011
- Workshop in Applied Phylogenetics, UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, Bodega Bay, CA2008

MEDIA AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

- Evolution Happensnon-technical science communication at:

Wordpress: evolhappens.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Evolution-Happens-866113640140574/timeline
Twitter: twitter.com/evol_happens
Instagram: instagram.com/evolution_happens
- Planet Experts author: www.planetexperts.com/author/ryanellingson
- National Center for Science Education Scientists in the Classroom: ncse.com/ScientistsInTheClassroom

AD HOC JOURNAL REVIEWS

Marine Ecology Progress Series Molecular Ecology Journal of

Biogeography
Marine Biology PLoS ONE Nature Scientific Reports
Evolutionary Bioinformatics

AWARDS/GRANTS

- Dissertation Year Fellowship, UCLA Graduate Division, AY 201112$18,000

- GAANN Fellowship (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need, US Dept of Education), UCLA
AY 201011$22,000
- Lerner-Grey Grant for Marine Research, American Museum of Natural History, for studying
systematics, speciation and transPacific migration in Bay gobies, 2009$1,200
- RA Mentorship Fellowship, UCLA Graduate Division, AY 200809$18,000
- GAANN Fellowship (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need, US Dept of Education), UCLA
AY 200708$26,600
- Cal State Los Angeles AY 200506 Graduate Student Alumni Association Scholarship$1,000
- Lerner-Grey Grant for Marine Research, American Museum of Natural History, for phylogenetic study
of developmental evolution in Caribbean Elysiid gastropods, 2005$2,000
- NSF GK-12 Fellowship, Cal State LA, AY 200405 and AY 200506$70,000
- National Merit Scholarship, UC Riverside, 199599$28,000
- Bourns College of Engineering Scholarship, UC Riverside, 1995$2,000

SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
American Association for the Advancement of Science Society for the Study of Evolution
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Western Society of Naturalists

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 American Malacological Society Western Society of Malacologists

FIELD EXPEDITIONS FOR SAMPLE COLLECTION

Hawaii: Maui (2016)
Panama: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Bocas del Toro (2004, 2015)
Alta California: Bodega Bay, Tomales Bay (2005, 2006); Central Coast/San Simeon (2009); many local trips
around southern California (20042014)
Baja California: San Quintn, Ensenada (2007); Tres Virgenes wilderness, Santa Rosala, Laguna Manuela,
Baha de los ngeles (2010); San Felipe, Colorado River Delta, Puerto Peasco, Ensenada (2011)
Bermuda: Biological Station for Research (2006)
Jamaica: Discovery Bay Marine Lab (2006)
Alaska: Kodiak Island (2005)

PRESENTATIONS AS INVITED SPEAKER

Ellingson, R.A. Challenging a textbook case of species selection: Does loss of dispersal make
evolutionary winners, or the walking dead? Loyola Marymount University Biology Seminar, 12/9/16
Ellingson, R.A. Sexual selection and the origin of species. MIT Club of Southern California Spring
Luncheon. Santa Monica, CA 4/3/16
Ellingson, R.A. The importance of student involvement in phylogenetic systematics: My experiences
from CSU to UC and back again. Symposium Molluscan Taxonomy: Contemporary Applications
and Increasing Student Participation. Western Society of Malacologists 48th Annual Meeting,
Fullerton, CA, 9/27/15
Ellingson, R.A. A phylogeny of North Pacific Bay gobies: adaptive convergence, ecological
diversification, and the origins of endemism in the Sea of Cortez. Cal State Los Angeles Department
of Biological Sciences Seminar Series, 11/5/13
Ellingson, R.A. Time-calibrated phylogeny of North Pacific bay gobies reveals adaptive convergence,
ecological diversification, and relictual endemism. UCLA Department of Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology EcoEvoPub Series, 5/23/13
Ellingson, R.A., L.T. Findley, C.C. Swift and D.K. Jacobs. Phylogenetic relationships of North Pacific
estuarine gobies and elevated endemism in the Gulf of California. Symposium Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology of Gobies in North America: Conservation Concerns Resulting from Rapid
Environmental Change. American Fisheries Society 141st Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 9/7/11

PRESENTATIONS (*Denotes best talk/poster)

Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. Climate-driven vicariance and recurrent trans-Arctic migration in the
cosmopolitan sea slug Alderia modesta. 82nd American Malacological Society and 49th Western Society
of Malacologists Annual Meetings, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 6/13/16
Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. Repeated vicariance and dispersal in a cosmopolitan sea slug driven by
Pleistocene glacial cycles. Western Society of Naturalists 96th Annual Meeting, Sacramento, CA,
11/7/15
Ellingson, R.A. and D.K. Jacobs. A time-calibrated phylogeny of North Pacific Bay gobies: Adaptive
convergence, ecological diversification, and relictual endemism in the Gulf of California. Southern
California Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting 2013, Cal State Long Beach, 5/3/13

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 Ellingson, R.A. and D.K. Jacobs. Elevated endemism in the northern Gulf of California: Speciation
and phylogeography of the estuarine goby genus Gillichthys. Southern California Academy of
Sciences Annual Meeting 2011, Cal Poly Pomona, 5/6/11
Ellingson, R.A. and D.K. Jacobs. Phylogenetics of North Pacific estuarine gobies: gene trees, species
trees and divergence time estimations have never been so much fun. Evolution 2010, Portland, OR,
6/27/10 (Session chair)
Ellingson, R.A., F.B. Van Stolk and D.K. Jacobs. Phylogenetic inference of multiple trans-Pacific
migration events in North Pacific estuarine gobies. Evolution 2009, Moscow, ID, 6/13/09
Ellingson, R.A. and D.K. Jacobs. Evolution of endemism in the Sea of Cortez: Speciation and
phylogeography of the goby genus Gillichthys. Evolution 2008, Minneapolis, MN, 6/24/08
*Ellingson, R.A. and D.K. Jacobs. Evolution of endemism in the Sea of Cortez: Speciation and
phylogeography in the goby genus Gillichthys. UCLA Annual Biology Research Symposium, 5/21/07
(Best Student Poster)
Ellingson, R.A. and D.K. Jacobs. Molecular genetics and geological history of the Sea of Cortez:
Evolution and speciation in the estuarine goby genus Gillichthys. Western Society of Naturalists 88th
Annual Meeting, Ventura, CA, 11/9/07
Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. Discordance between phylogeography and development mode in a
poecilogonous Caribbean sea slug, Costasiella ocellifera (Opisthobranchia: Sacoglossa). Evolution
Meeting 2007, Christchurch, New Zealand, 6/17/07
Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. Variable larval development, cryptic genetic breaks and population
connectivity in the Caribbean sea slug Costasiella ocellifera. Larval 2006, Coos Bay, OR, 9/1/06
*Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. Speciation and transArctic migration in an estuarine gastropod:
Evolutionary history of the sea slug genus Alderia. Western Society of Naturalists 86th Annual
Meeting, Monterey, CA, 11/18/05 (Best Student Poster)
Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. Evolution of poecilogony from planktotrophy: speciation in the sea slug
Alderia modesta. American Malacological Society Meeting, Pacific Grove, CA, 6/29/05
Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. Evolution of poecilogony from planktotrophy: speciation in the sea slug
Alderia modesta. Evolution 2005, Fairbanks, AK, 6/10/05
*Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. Born and raised in Southern California: developmental evolution and
cryptic speciation in the sea slug genus Alderia. Meeting of the Southern California Academy of
Sciences, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, 5/28/05 (Best Student Presentation)
*Ellingson, R.A. and P.J. Krug. Cryptic speciation in the sea slug Alderia modesta. 19th Annual California
State University Student Research Competition, Sacramento, CA, 4/29/05 (First place, Biological
and Agricultural Sciences)

DEPARTMENTAL SERVICE
Graduate Student AdmissionsReviewed prospective student applications and contributed to
recruitment decisions (201112)
EEB Seminar SeriesAssisted in choosing and inviting speakers (201011)
FacultyStudent LiaisonRepresented graduate students at monthly faculty meetings (200910)
Curriculum DevelopmentWorked with other graduate students to make detailed requests from
faculty for graduate student courses and seminars (2008)

REFERENCES
Patrick J. Krug, Ph.D. pkrug@calstatela.edu

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Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, California State University (323) 343-2076
5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032

David K. Jacobs, Ph.D. djacobs@ucla.edu

Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of California (310) 206-7885
610 Charles E Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Thomas B. Smith, Ph.D. tbsmith@ucla.edu

Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of California (310) 206-4712
Director, Center for Tropical Research, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
610 Charles E Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA 90095

ngel Valds, Ph.D. aavaldes@cpp.edu

Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University (909) 869-4064
3801 W. Temple Ave., Pomona, CA 91768

Douglas J. Eernisse, Ph.D. deernisse@fullerton.edu

Professor, Department of Biological Science, California State University (714) 278-3749
800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831

Jann E. Vendetti, Ph.D. JVendett@nhm.org

Assistant Curator of Malacology, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007