Scientist | Author | Educator

Ilya T.

I hold a Ph.D. from New York University and a B.S. from Columbia University, both in biology. I have completed postdoctoral fellowships at the American Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), and the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris. Currently, I am a full professor at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), an Adjunct Faculty at George Mason University, and a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution.
Over my career, I have authored over 50 scientific publications, presented globally, and conducted international fieldwork. My work has earned awards and grants from the National Science Foundation, Harvard University, and the John Templeton Foundation.
In teaching, I strive to offer a dynamic, interdisciplinary understanding of biology, aiming to help students grasp the complexity of the natural world, inspire enthusiasm by teaching biology as an evolving discipline, and equip students with critical thinking skills essential for scientific careers. I’ve also taught internationally in Lisbon and Bangkok, and helped students prepare for various biology exams, including the SAT and specialty tests (e.g., DAT).
My research focuses on understanding the roles of ecological opportunity, phylogenetic constraints, and developmental canalization in evolution. I combine theoretical and empirical approaches to explore macroevolutionary patterns and their implications for current ecological crises. Additionally, I study the parallels between human cultural evolution and biological evolution through novel theoretical frameworks.
My expertise spans biology and chemistry, including genetics, cell and developmental biology, evolution, bioinformatics, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and scientific writing. I am dedicated to helping students succeed in biology and beyond, as evidenced by the achievements of my former students, many of whom have gone on to prestigious institutions and published research.