Barbara Anna Schaal (born 1947 in Berlin, Germany, naturalized in 1956) American scientist, evolutionary biologist, is a professor at Washington University in St. Louis and served as vice president of the National Academy of Sciences from 2005 to 2013.

She is known particularly well for her studies that use molecular genetic data to understand evolutionary processes such as gene flow, geographical differentiation, and the domestication of crop species.

In 2009, Schaal was named the Mary-Dell Chilton Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences at Washington University.

[6][7] Schaal served as Washington University's dean of Arts & Sciences from January 1, 2013, through the 2019–20 academic year.

[8][2] In 2015 Schaal was elected as president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and assumed the position in 2016.