To find good places to study ophiology, you should look for programs with strong herpetology or related programs, and faculty specializing in snake biology. Some institutions known for strong herpetology programs (and therefore likely to have ophiologists) include:
* University of California, Berkeley: A very strong program in integrative biology with several researchers working on various aspects of reptile biology.
* University of Florida: Home to the Florida Museum of Natural History, which has extensive herpetological collections and research programs.
* University of Kansas: The Biodiversity Institute at KU houses a vast herpetological collection and numerous researchers working on snake systematics, ecology, and evolution.
* Harvard University: The Museum of Comparative Zoology has a significant collection and research activity in herpetology.
* University of Texas at Austin: A large university with a strong biology department and likely researchers working on snakes.
* Several other major universities with strong biology or ecology departments: Research the faculty profiles at universities known for strong biology programs to see if any researchers focus on snakes.
To find specific ophiologists and their institutions:
* Search Google Scholar: Search for keywords like "snake ecology," "snake evolution," "snake venom," "snake phylogeny," etc., to find relevant publications and their authors' affiliations.
* Look at the websites of major herpetological societies: These organizations often list members and their affiliations. The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) is a good place to start.
Remember to look beyond just the institution's name. The specific researchers and their projects are more important than the institution itself. Find the professors whose research interests align with your own.