Denise Su

Denise Su is Associate Dean of Research and Global Initiatives in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU). She is also professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change and research scientist in the Institute of Human Origins. 

In her role as Associate Dean, she helps support The College's research enterprise through research administration, faculty development, and building and strengthening partnerships. Her portfolio includes creating opportunities with universities in Taiwan for academic collaboration, student and faculty exchange, and shared engagement around global challenges. Her work reflects The College's and ASU's commitment to connecting local expertise with international networks and expanding the university's impact though meaningful, international partnerships.

As a scientist, her research focuses on the paleoecology of early hominins and explores environments in which our early ancestors lived in order to provide insight into how environmental factors shaped the trajectory of hominin evolution. She is a national and international spokesperson for science and museums through invited lectures, essays, documentaries, podcasts, and media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, CNN, PBS, CBC, Science Friday, Sundance Film Festival, and The Conversation. She is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.