Welcome to our lab website! My lab has broad research interests spanning species distributions of amphibians and reptiles, complex phenotypes, comparative transcriptomics/genomics, chemical ecology, and the impacts of climate change, with these ectotherms (frogs and lizards) serving as our primary model systems. Our work centers on four main foci: (1) phenotypic adaptations and their genomic basis, particularly anti-predator defense mechanisms such as aposematism and their consequences for traits including sexual dimorphism, alkaloid/toxin metabolism, and systems biology; (2) quantification and prediction of extinction risks and the ecophysiological impacts of rapid climate change in ectotherms; (3) Neotropical biogeography, with emphasis on historical patterns and future projections of amphibian and reptile species distributions; and (4) systematics, taxonomy, and natural history of New World herpetofauna. To address these topics, we integrate bioinformatic and molecular approaches, including the development and application of phylogenetic comparative methods, chemical ecological characterizations, GIS-based species distribution modeling, next-generation sequencing (NGS) data generation and mining, and multivariate statistical analyses, with the overarching goal of revealing and linking the evolutionary and ecological processes that shape biodiversity.

New graduate students: We are always seeking motivated graduate students whose interests align with the goals of our lab. In particular, we are looking for applicants with a background in evolutionary ecology and a strong interest in herpetofauna (frogs and lizards). New lab members are expected to learn next-generation sequencing (NGS) molecular techniques, multivariate statistical methods, and programming (especially in R and Python). Because our research is highly collaborative, strong communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are essential. For details on applying to the PhD and MS programs in Biological Sciences at SJU, please see the following: SJU link and contact me by e-mail.