Researcher biography

Ecological and evolutionary genomics

My research group uses genetic markers as tools for understanding dispersal and gene flow, often with conservation implications and most frequently focusing on highly dispersive marine animals such as fishes, mussels, and corals. We also study how gene flow and natural selection affect genomic variation and limit gene exchange across genomes, populations, and species.

Research Interests

  • Connectivity across land and seascapes
    How do habitat landscapes, ocean depth, and oceanography affect movements of individuals and genes? Can we identify source and linking populations in order to prioritize areas for conservation? How does environmentally mediated selection shape spatial patterns of population genetic variation?
  • Stochasticity in planktonic dispersal
    How does high temporal variability in sources of juvenile settlers affect evolutionary dynamics especially local adaptation? Does phenotypic plasticity allow niche specialization in the face of high gene flow?
  • Biological invasions, historical and modern
    What factors facilitate species expanding their ranges and colonizing new habitat? How do colonizing populations adapt to novel environments? Does hybridization with local species enhance invasiveness and rapid evolution?

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Arizona
  • Master of Science, The University of Arizona