Dr. Scott Solomon is a biologist, professor, and science communicator at Rice University, where he teaches ecology, evolutionary biology, and scientific communication. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin, with research focused on biodiversity in the Amazon Basin. Dr. Solomon has taught field biology in Colorado and Belize and developed online biology courses for Coursera and The Great Courses, including series on insects and modern evolution.
As a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, his research explores the ecology and evolution of insects, microbes, and humans. Dr. Solomon is a Fellow of The Explorers Club, an Associate Editor of the Journal of Tropical Ecology, and a member of several scientific societies.
He frequently speaks and writes about science, hosts the podcast Wild World with Scott Solomon, and has appeared on numerous TV and streaming series. His first book, Future Humans, was published by Yale University Press. Currently, he is working on a new book about space and its impact on the human body and mind.
Books:
Solomon, S. (2016) Future Humans: Inside the Science of Our Continuing Evolution, Yale University Press: New Haven.
Solomon, S. Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds [Under Contract at MIT Press]
Articles:
“Live in space? Someday. Live for space? ‘Spacers’ already do.” Houston Chronicle, Nov 27, 2023
“This startup wants to find out if humans can have babies in space” MIT Technology Review, Oct 20, 2023
“At Brazos Bend, Counting Alligators is a Family Affair” Houston Chronicle, Nov 27, 2022
“Ants – with their wise farming practices and efficient navigation techniques – could inspire solutions for some human problems” The Conversation, Nov 15, 2022
Podcasts:
Wild World With Scott Solomon (2023-present) Podcast about scientific exploration and fieldwork; Creator, Writer, Producer, Host
CityCast Houston Podcast (2021-present); Science Contributor
Engines of Our Ingenuity (2 episodes released in 2021); Writer, Presenter
D.O.R.K.S: Discussing Our Research and Knowledge Socially (2021-2022); Co-host
“Longitude Sound Bytes Ep 123: Communicating Science” podcast (2024); guest
“Lucy in the Sky” Audible.com podcast (2020); guest
“The Bus Driver Experience” podcast (2020); guest
TV/streaming series:
Why Insects Matter: Earth’s Most Essential Species The Great Courses/Wondrium (24-part series released in 2022); Writer, Presenter
Becoming Martian CuriosityStream (3-part series released in 2021); Producer, Writer, Presenter
What Darwin Didn’t Know: The Modern Science of Evolution The Great Courses (24-part series released in 2019); Writer, Presenter
“Life 2.0, Episode 1” Xploration Station (2020)
Online courses:
Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity (3-part series released in 2022) Series of three online courses available through Coursera
Other media appearances:
“Human Reproduction in Space” Humanity in Deep Space webinar (2024)
“Reality Check” Austrian Public Radio (2022)
TEDx Talk – The Wisdom of the Ants (2020)
TEDx Talk – Human Evolution on Mars (2020)
The Explorers Club is a not-for-profit organization as defined under Section 170(b) (I) (A) (vi) and 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Explorers Club®, World Center for Exploration®, The Flag and the Seal are registered trademarks of The Explorers Club. Use by others is strictly prohibited.
