Postdoc Research
foxes
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The gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is widespread throughout North America, and although phenotypically similar across its range, genetic evidence supports deep divergence between eastern and western lineages, with a narrow contact zone in the southern Great Plains. In addition, island foxes (Urocyon littoralis), the dwarfed descendants of mainland gray foxes, have remained at small population sizes with low diversity for many generations. However, patterns of genetic diversity in these species have been described using a reference genome from distantly-related dogs, which limits, and likely biases, population genomics inference.
Leveraging the recently published gray fox genome, I am exploring how reference bias can affect demographic inference in mainland gray foxes and island foxes. Advisor: Jazlyn Mooney, PhD |
PhD Research
fish
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Atlantic silversides (Menidia menidia) are distributed along the world's steepest thermal cline along the east coast of North America. In response to this thermal gradient, silverside populations have evolved physiological and morphological traits that allow them to deal with their respective environments. Interestingly, these adaptations are maintained despite homogenizing connectivity between populations.
Combining population genomics, comparative linkage mapping, and quantitative trait loci mapping, I discovered that multiple locally adapted traits map to genomic regions that are highly differentiated between populations and overlap with multiple massive segregating chromosomal inversions. Advisors: Nina Therkildsen, PhD and Kelly Zamudio, PhD |
MS Research
frogs
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Neotropical red-eyed treefrogs (Agalychnis callidryas) exhibit substantial phenotypic variation across a broad, primarily Central American range, as well as microgeographic variation across Costa Rica and Panama in color pattern, body size, skin peptides, and mating behavior.
Combining population genomics, color pattern analysis, and courtship experiments, I discovered a contact zone between divergent populations and evidence of phenotypic novelty in leg color - a trait expected to mediate assortative mating. I also demonstrated population-level differences in both male and female courtship behaviors and female preference for local males based on call and color. Advisor: Jeanne Robertson, PhD |