Expertise

community ecology, species interactions, mutualism, plant-insect interactions, marine cleaning mutualisms, seed dispersal

Dr. Karnish received his B.S. in Biology at Iowa State University in 2018 and his PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona in 2024. 

  • Dr. Karnish received his B.S. in Biology at Iowa State University in 2018 and his PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona in 2024. 

  • Dr. Karnish’s research focuses on mutualisms, species interactions in which both partners benefit. He specifically explores the costs of mutualism, which are an often-ignored aspect of this crucial species interaction. Using multiple study systems, including ant-seed dispersal and marine cleaning mutualisms, he examines how changes in both the costs and benefits of these interactions influence the behavior of mutualistic partners.