David Ribble, Ph.D.
- Dean: D. R. Semmes School of Science, Professor , D. R. Semmes School of Science
-
David Ribble is a biologist and professor at Trinity University, San Antonio, where he currently serves as the inaugural Dean of the D. R. Semmes School of Science. Prior to this role, he was the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: Budget and Research (2018-2023). Ribble has been a faculty member at Trinity since 1992, teaching courses in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology, with a strong emphasis on field-based learning.
His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of small mammals across various regions, including North and Central America and Africa. Notably, he was part of a team that discovered the grey-faced sengi, a rare elephant-shrew species in Tanzania. He has led student research expeditions to locations such as Mexico, New Mexico, Costa Rica, and Africa, integrating hands-on experience into Trinity’s curriculum.
As an administrator, Ribble played a key role in shaping academic programs, securing grants, and improving science facilities at Trinity, including contributing to the development of the Center for the Sciences and Innovation. He has received multiple teaching and service awards, including Trinity’s highest faculty honor, the Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship. Nationally, he has been involved in efforts to reform life sciences education through organizations such as Partnerships for Undergraduate Life Science (PULSE) and the Council on Undergraduate Research. He currently serves on the board of the American Conference of Academic Deans (ACAD). His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, community-building, and promoting undergraduate research.
- Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley
- M.S., Colorado State University
- B.A., Trinity University
- Ribble. D.O. 2022. Ahead of his time: Joseph Grinnell, natural history, and inclusion and equity in STEM. Therya 13:99-102)
- Ribble, D.O. and G.B. Rathbun. 2018. Preliminary observations on home ranges and natural history of Scotinomys tenguina in Costa Rica. Mammalia 82:490-493.
- Rathbun, G.B., D.O. Ribble, T.O. Osborne, and S.J. Eiseb. 2017. Sengis (Elephant-shrews) in north-eastern Namibia. Namibia Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft 65:69-70.
- Kalcounis-Rueppell, M.C., R. Petric, J.R. Briggs, C. Carney, M.M. Marshall, J.T. Wilse, O. Rueppell, D.O. Ribble, and J.P. Crossland. 2010. "Differences in ultrasonic vocalizations between wild and laboratory California mice (Peromyscus californicus)". PLoS .ONE 5(4): e9705.
- Schubert, M., C. Schradin, H.G. Rodel, N. Pillay, and D.O. Ribble. 2009. "Male mate guarding in a socially monogamous mammal, the round-eared sengi: on costs and trade-offs." Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 64:257-264.
- Schubert, M., N. Pillay, D.O. Ribble, and C. Schradin. 2009. "The round-eared sengi and the evolution of social monogamy: factors that constrain males to live with a single female." Ethology 115:1-14.
- Rovero, F., Rathbun, G.B., Perkin, A., Jones, T., Ribble, D.O., Leonard, C., Mwakisoma, R.R., and N. Doggart. 2008. "A new species of giant sengi or elephant-shrew (genus Rhynchocyon) highlights the exceptional biodiversity of the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania."Journal of Zoology, London 274:126-133.
- Coster, S.*, and D.O. Ribble. 2005. "Density and cover preferences of Black-and-rufous elephant-shrews (Rhynchocyon petersi) in Chome Forest Reserve, Tanzania." Belgian Journal of Zoology 135 (supplement):175-177.
- Ribble, D.O., and M.R. Perrin. 2005. "Social organization of the Eastern Rock Elephant-shrew (Elephantulus myurus): The evidence for mate guarding." Belgian Journal of Zoology 135(supplement):167-173.
- Mzilikazi, N., B.G. Lovegrove, and D.O. Ribble. 2002. "Exogenous passive heating during torpor arousal in free-ranging rock elephant-shrews, Elephantulus myurus." Oecologia 133:307-314.
- Farmer, N.A.*, D.O. Ribble, and D.G. Miller. 2004. "Influence of familiarity on shoaling behavior in Texas and blacktail shiner." Journal of Fish Biology 64:776-782.
*Indicates Trinity student
His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of small mammals across various regions, including North and Central America and Africa. Notably, he was part of a team that discovered the grey-faced sengi, a rare elephant-shrew species in Tanzania. He has led student research expeditions to locations such as Mexico, New Mexico, Costa Rica, and Africa, integrating hands-on experience into Trinity’s curriculum. He currently takes students to Costa Rica to study the elevational distribution of small mammals and the impacts of climate change on these distributions.
- Integrative Biology
- Ecology
- Vertebrate Evolution
- Conservation Biology
Science and the Sense of Belonging
Thursday, November 30, 2023David Ribble ’82 talks about the role of undergraduate research in STEM education
Called to Conservation
Tuesday, August 29, 2023Trinity alumna shares how her summer study abroad experience in Costa Rica came full circle this...
Trinity Transitions to Four-School Academic System
Tuesday, March 28, 2023Three inaugural deans selected to lead this change
Researchers Belong Here
Thursday, October 20, 2022Trinity’s inclusive, interdisciplinary approach to excellence in undergraduate research
Drawn to Nature
Friday, July 23, 2021Costa Rica program merges biology, art, and culture
Bringing Research to Life
Tuesday, December 08, 2020David Ribble leads generations of Trinity students to discoveries about world, selves