Andrew Ratz

I am fascinated by biogeography and the dynamic ways life shapes its environment; as well as how these environmental conditions, in turn, structure where organisms live and how they move through the world. I am particularly interested in the processes through which biological communities influence abiotic landscapes and the complex spatial patterns that can emerge from these interactions. This passion has led me to work across a range of systems, from aquatic plants and insects to snow algae and soil microbes. I am equally at home in forest plots, fungal forays, running DNA extractions, and analyzing large and messy data.

I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2024 and now work as a field and lab technician. I enjoy both hands-on ecological work and uncovering hidden patterns in big datasets. Outside of research, I spend my time running around the Twin Cities, bouldering, and delving into lengthy fantasy series that take ages to finish.