About
Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Ecology from University of Wisconsin, PhD in Zoology from Duke University.Research interests
Research in my lab focuses on the causes and consequences of evolutionary changes in communication systems. Using a colorful group of North American freshwater fish called darters, we ask the following questions: Why does mating communication evolve over time? How does the rate of communication evolution compare with ecological divergence and other reproductive barriers? (Why) Are individuals attracted only to members of their own species? By addressing these questions, we're trying to understand why male color patterns have diversified so extensively in this group, what are the consequences of that divergence, and what general principles about the ecology and evolution of communication can we learn by studying these beautiful fish?Teaching interests
BIOLOGY 142: Foundations of Ecology and EvolutionBIOLOGY 480: Animal Behavior
BIOLOGY 481: Advanced Topics in Evolution
BIOLOGY 760: Graduate Seminar in Ecology and Evolution
Education
- Ph D, Zoology — Duke University (2001)
- BS, Wildlife Ecology — University of Wisconsin (1991)