Matthew Davis is a Professor of Biological Sciences and Graduate Director for Biological Sciences at St. Cloud State University in the Department of Biological Sciences (St. Cloud, MN). He was previously a postdoctoral researcher at various museums and universities including The Field Museum (Chicago, IL), Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA), and the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute (Lawrence, KS). He received his B.S. in Biology from Regis University (Denver, CO) and his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS).

The primary focus of his research is to investigate the systematics and macroevolution of fishes that have flourished in the extreme aquatic habitat of the deep sea (e.g., lizardfishes, lanternfishes, dragonfishes). His work synthesizes genomic, morphological, and life-history information to investigate the patterns and processes of diversification in aquatic habitats with a focus on the deep sea. This includes reconstructing hypotheses of evolutionary relationships to explore the evolution of deep-sea fishes, including: adaptations and character evolution (e.g., hermaphroditism, bioluminescence, tubular/enlarged eyes), mechanisms of genetic isolation in the deep-sea, transitions in marine habitats, and shifts in diversification rates.

He has conducted marine and freshwater fieldwork to collect fishes in Asia (e.g., Taiwan, Vietnam), Central America (Panama), and North America (e.g., Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi). He has taught a breadth of courses at St. Cloud State University, including Ichthyology, Organismal Diversity, Evolution, Principles of Phylogenetics, Ecology of Fish Populations, Statistical Design, Zoology, Conservation and Management of Animals, and Scientific Illustration.