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Thomas R Sawicki

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
EMAIL
PHONE
850-561-2397
OFFICE
Biology

Office Hours

Monday/Wednesday • 2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday • 10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Current Semester Schedule

BSC 4930 BIOL PRO-SEMINAR I (Lecture) • Mo 5:30PM - 6:20PM
BSC 7910 GRAD DIRECT RESEARCH
PCB 2033 INTRO TO ECOLOGY (Lecture) • MoWe 4:00PM - 5:15PM
PCB 2033L-L01 (Lab)  • Tu 2:00PM - 4:30PM
PCB 2033L-L02 (Lab) • Th 2:00PM - 4:30PM

About Me

Dr. Thomas R. Sawicki is an Associate Professor of Biology and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida A&M University. He earned his Ph.D. in Ecological Sciences from Old Dominion University in 2004 and has since built a distinguished career as a researcher, educator, and mentor.

Dr. Sawicki’s research focuses on the taxonomy, evolution, and conservation of subterranean and aquatic amphipod crustaceans, with extensive contributions to understanding biodiversity in the Floridan aquifer and beyond. He has authored more than two dozen peer-reviewed publications, including descriptions of numerous new species, and has secured competitive funding from agencies such as the U.S. National Park Service, and state wildlife programs.

A dedicated mentor, Dr. Sawicki has guided over 30 undergraduate and multiple graduate students, many of whom have advanced into research, conservation, and doctoral programs. He also serves as a Curatorial Affiliate with the Yale Peabody Museum’s Division of Invertebrate Zoology.

Beyond academia, Dr. Sawicki brings over 30 years of experience as a SCUBA instructor, cave diver, and technical diver. His extensive exploration includes underwater cave systems in Florida, Cuba, and Bermuda, where his diving skills directly support his research on subterranean biodiversity. This unique combination of scientific expertise and technical diving proficiency has allowed him to access and study ecosystems rarely observed by humans

Areas of Interest

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Phylogenetics
  • Cave Biology/Diving

Education

 
  • Ph.D. in Ecological Sciences • 2004
    Old Dominion University
  • B.S. Biology • 1998
    Eastern Connecticut State University

Work History

  • Associate Chair of Biological Sciences • 2021–Present
    Florida A&M University (FAMU), Tallahassee, FL. USA
  • Associate Professor of Biology • 2020–Present
    Florida A&M University (FAMU), Tallahassee, FL. USA
  • Assistant Professor of Biology • 2014–July 2020
    Florida A&M University (FAMU), Tallahassee, FL. USA

Academic Accomplishments

Dr. Sawicki's research has been highlighted by the WFSU Public Media Ecology Blob by Rob Diaz De Villegas

  • “Newly Discovered Crustacean Species Found Only in Lake Jackson” WFSU Public Media Ecology Blog, by Rob Diaz De Villegas. https://blog.wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/2022/07/newly-discovered-crustacean-species-found-only-in-lake-jackson/; July 12, 2022.
  • “Cave Creature Discovered/Mysteries of the Floridan Aquifer” WFSU Public Media Ecology Blog, by Rob Diaz De Villegas. https://blog.wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=13526; August 30, 2019.

 

Courses Taught At FAMU

  • BSC 1010 General Biology I
  • BSC 1011 General Biology II
  • PCB 4674 Evolutionary Biology

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