The lab uses ecological and evolutionary tools and concepts to study marine, freshwater, and terrestrial invertebrates. Interested in joining the lab? You will be able to shape our future directions!
Current work
Invertebrate diversity in wetland systems in Michigan
We are using morphological and molecular techniques to survey invertebrate communities in southern and Central Michigan, particularly in wetland habitats. This work involves sampling both at Albion College's Whitehouse Nature Center and at an inland salt marsh.
The ecology and genetics of an invasive aphid species
In collaboration with Dr. Emily Rollinson and others at East Stroudsburg University, we are studying the population dynamics and population genetics of Aphis nerii, the introduced milkweed or oleander aphid. Our sampling is concentrated on Albion's campus but extends to other areas of Michigan and the Midwest.
Cryptic species in marine environments
Working with collaborators from France, we are investigating the prevalence of cryptic species (CS) in marine environments, including both generalities relating to cryptic species (e.g. are some groups more likely to contain CS) and potential consequences of ignoring CS in ecology, evolution, and biodiversity research.
Current work
Invertebrate diversity in wetland systems in Michigan
We are using morphological and molecular techniques to survey invertebrate communities in southern and Central Michigan, particularly in wetland habitats. This work involves sampling both at Albion College's Whitehouse Nature Center and at an inland salt marsh.
The ecology and genetics of an invasive aphid species
In collaboration with Dr. Emily Rollinson and others at East Stroudsburg University, we are studying the population dynamics and population genetics of Aphis nerii, the introduced milkweed or oleander aphid. Our sampling is concentrated on Albion's campus but extends to other areas of Michigan and the Midwest.
Cryptic species in marine environments
Working with collaborators from France, we are investigating the prevalence of cryptic species (CS) in marine environments, including both generalities relating to cryptic species (e.g. are some groups more likely to contain CS) and potential consequences of ignoring CS in ecology, evolution, and biodiversity research.
Previous work
Postdoctoral work
Population connectivity in Mediterranean systems
A continuing question in marine biology is the level of connectivity among populations within a species, particularly what species traits (life history, habitats, etc.) lead to high or low connectivity. I used data from several species (representing 5 phyla) to try to understand what factors are most important on a relatively small scale -- many populations sampled over < 300 km.
The work included data synthesis, next-generation sequencing of SNPs, and understanding local patterns of ocean currents.
A continuing question in marine biology is the level of connectivity among populations within a species, particularly what species traits (life history, habitats, etc.) lead to high or low connectivity. I used data from several species (representing 5 phyla) to try to understand what factors are most important on a relatively small scale -- many populations sampled over < 300 km.
The work included data synthesis, next-generation sequencing of SNPs, and understanding local patterns of ocean currents.
Metabarcoding of marine communities in the coralligenous habitat
The coralligenous reefs in the Mediterranean are important centers of biodiversity. In the framework of the European project DEVOTES (DEVelopment Of innovative Tools for understanding marine biodiversity and assessing good Environmental Status), I was involved with sampling using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures and Artificial Substrate Units (ARMS and ASUs) to study differences in community composition and diversity among sites and regions.
This work included lab processing and identification of invertebrates and coralline algae, and molecular metabarcoding.
The coralligenous reefs in the Mediterranean are important centers of biodiversity. In the framework of the European project DEVOTES (DEVelopment Of innovative Tools for understanding marine biodiversity and assessing good Environmental Status), I was involved with sampling using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures and Artificial Substrate Units (ARMS and ASUs) to study differences in community composition and diversity among sites and regions.
This work included lab processing and identification of invertebrates and coralline algae, and molecular metabarcoding.
Dissertation work
The role of developmental mode and population-level processes in shifting distributions: a study of calyptraeid gastropods
I used two species of Crepidula (C. fornicata and C. convexa) to investigate the connections between larval type (planktonic, dispersing larvae versus direct developing larvae with low dispersal) and various ecological and evolutionary processes.
I used two species of Crepidula (C. fornicata and C. convexa) to investigate the connections between larval type (planktonic, dispersing larvae versus direct developing larvae with low dispersal) and various ecological and evolutionary processes.
- Population genetic structure of C. convexa using microsatellites.
- Settlement ecology of C. fornicata in response to conspecific settlement cues and varying adult densities using both field and lab experiments.
- Next-generation sequencing of Crepidula species to investigate genetic diversity at range centers and margins.
Other past projects
Protandrous hermaphroditism
Larval biology
Effects of climate change
Research in undergraduate education
Protandrous hermaphroditism
- Factors determining sex change in C. fornicata using a lab experiment.
- Variation in size at sex change in natural populations of C. fornicata using field observations.
Larval biology
- Local adaptation of C. fornicata larvae to temperature regimes as a function of geography.
- Dispersal and post-settlement limitation in introduced populations of Botrylloides violaceus, investigated using a field experiment.
Effects of climate change
- Literature review investigating what we know about proximate causes of species' warm-edge range limits.
- Literature review investigating what we know about how climate change causes extinction.
Research in undergraduate education
- Using video podcasts as weekly preparation for inquiry labs in undergraduate biology.