Our lab is interested in the evolutionary ecology of animals in response to human-induced environmental change.

My goal as a mentor is to train the next generation of ecologists in scientific investigation, in an environment that is conducive for students to sharpen critical thinking and communication skills in the context of ecological and evolutionary research.

Our research goal is to better understand how and why phenotypic variation arises and what factors constrain variation, particularly in the context of human-induced environmental change. We are interested in understanding the connection between the ecological causes of phenotypic variation (e.g., environmental, biological) and the evolutionary consequences of variation (or lack thereof) for individuals, populations, and species (e.g., extinction, natural selection, adaptation, evolution).

Our research combines field studies of the ecology of natural populations, field experiments in artificial outdoor environments, laboratory studies under controlled environmental conditions, and data gathered from literature reviews. I emphasize statistical analyses which are essential tools used in research, graduate school, government agencies, and consulting firms.

Research focuses on a variety of invertebrates with interesting properties: some have interesting adaptations (i.e., caddisflies), some act as disease vectors (i.e., mosquitoes), some are model organisms (i.e., lubber grasshoppers), and some are invasive species (i.e., New Zealand mudsnail, rusty crayfish). We focus mainly on organisms, although molecular work is possible in collaboration with other laboratories.

Caddisflies have complex life cycles similar to frogs and other amphibians: the larvae (i.e., juveniles) are typically aquatic whereas the adult stage is terrestrial. Some species of caddisflies build cases out of plant and mineral material and silk which the larvae produce. Larval cases are fascinating biological objects to study: what are the costs and benefits of case-building? What is the function of cases? How are cases built? Why do different species use differnt materials?

Mosquitoes also have complex life cycles. Many mosquito species carry diseases of humans and livestock (e.g., West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, Equine Encephalitis). Understanding the ecology of mosquitoes as disease vectors can provide insight into how disease transmission occurs or might occur in the future. Several mosquito vectors have recently invaded North America, including the Asian tiger mosquito (above). How will the native mosquito species respond to invasive species? How will environmental change (e.g., climate change) influence native and invasive mosquitoes?

Lubber grasshoppers have been used as a model system for anatomy and physiology for a very long time. Remember those grasshoppers in high school biology? Chances are they were lubbers. Even though we know a lot about lubber anatomy and physiology, we know relatively little about the ecology of lubbers. Lubbers show an interesting form of phenotypic plasticity called density-dependent phase polyphenism. The northeastern portion of the range of lubber grasshoppers extends into South Carolina.

I am a new faculty member in Biology. I will be replacing the former Ecologist, Dr. Susan Marks. I will be teaching both the lecture and laboratory sections of Ecology (Bio 403) as well as one laboratory section of Principles of Biology (Bio 203) in Fall 2009. I am looking forward to being a member of the Winthrop Biology Department. Please feel free to contact me if you have any interests in ecology.

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