​

​

 

Molecular Ecology and Evolution

​

The main focus of my research is applying molecular techniques to address questions of ecological or evolutionary concern in both model and non-model organisms. Using these techniques, I am able to bridge the gap between strictly observational, phenotypic studies and in vitro molecular studies. By studying the genomes of natural populations, we can understand how these organisms have evolved, how they respond to environmental variation, the genetic basis for life-history variation, as well as other compelling questions. Specifically, I am interested in applying population genetics and transcriptomics to address how aquatic species respond to thermal stress through selection or phenotypic and molecular plasticity. In addition, I am interested in how species become locally adapted to environmental conditions over evolutionary time and how they may evolve under future environmental conditions, which is now necessary considering the state of global climate change.

​

 

Ecological and Evolutionary Modeling

​

Interdisciplinary studies combining biology, mathematics and computer science are becoming commonplace and necessary to address ecological and genomic questions or deal with the technology needed to address these questions. Applying mathematical models to biological questions is useful in many situations and can be underemphasized in our current education system. My interests lie in building models that predict how populations may respond to climate change through range shifts, genetic or phenotypic plasticity, or adaptive genetic divergence. In addition, I am interested in producing evolutionary models to understand the genetic architecture of traits under selection. Using an evolutionary software SLiM, I can simulate population dynamics and see how a genome evolves under specific selection and migration regimes. My interests are not limited to applying models to my own research questions, but also being involved with teaching students at a younger age about the interplay between biology and mathematics.

​

 

Otolith Microchemistry

​

Identifying the environmental conditions that highly-mobile marine species experience during their lifetime is a challenge. Otoliths are the "earstones" of a fish which lay down rings similarly to tree rings and can be used to both age and measure growth rates of individual fish. In addition, each new layer leaves an isotope signature of the environment that the fish was exposed to during that timepoint in its life. By measuring specific isotopic ratios in the otolith, we can identify certain environmental conditions including the thermal environment. Comparing ratios of δ18O and δ16O isotopes, we can estimate the water temperature an individual was exposed to throughout their lifetime.

​

 

Fisheries Management

​

Aquatic species are having to respond to changes in many environmental conditions, including rapid temperature increases due to changing climate, decreases in pH levels from ocean acidification, and increases in eutrophication from agricultural runoff and pollution. Therefore, one of my research interests is to help assess how aquatic species of economic and conservation concern respond to current environmental threats through range shifts, molecular plasticity, or adaptive evolution. Because these environmental threats have the potential to compound with current fishing pressures in some species, it is imperative to understand the magnitude of all threats and the interaction of those threats on individual species in order to create effective management plans.