Research
My research program applies evolutionary thinking towards understanding the ecological dynamics of populations, communities, and ecosystems. This places my work within the general theme of eco-evolutionary dynamics – the study of feedbacks between ecological and evolutionary processes. To explore this theme, I use a series of model systems including spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) and anole lizards (Anolis spp.).
Phenotypic Diversification
An emerging part of my research program investigates the evolutionary origins and ecological consequences of intrapopulation phenotypic diversity. Active research questions include: how does intrapopulation variation arise, how variable is intrapopulation diversity, and what are the ecological effects of diversity?
Global Change Ecology
Much of my work is framed in the context of anthropogenic change. My collaborators and I ask how ecosystem fragmentation, climate change, invasive species, and even urbanization influences the ecology and evolution of wild populations subject to novel, rapidly shifting ecological regimes.
Food Web Ecology
I merge diet analysis, stoichiometry, and stable isotopes to understand the structure of aquatic and terrestrial food webs. This combination of approaches helps illustrate cryptic species interactions and quantifies energy flow through ecosystems.