Research Interests

 

I am a Ph.D. student working in the lab of Dr. Darryl Felder in the Environmental and Evolutionary Biology Department at the University of Louisiana - Lafayette.

Broadly speaking, I am interested in phylogenetics, both empirical and theoretical, population genetics, molecular evolution, biodiversity, biogeography, systematic methods and bioinformatics. By combining these tools with a “whole organism” approach I am interested in exploring the diversity of the malacostracan crustaceans.

My primary interests are focused on the evolution, ecology, ontogeny, taxonomy and systematics of the decapod crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, lobsters and their allies). I am interested in utilizing a combination of larval and post-larval morphological characters, as well as genetic, behavioral, physiological and ecological data to explore systematic, taxonomic, phylogeographic and ecological questions.

I am also interested in exploring the coevolution of Crustacea and their various symbionts. I am especially interested in learning how associations with sponges, tunicates, and anthozoans have affected the evolution of the Decapoda.

My dissertation research will focus on using a combination of molecular and morphological characters to examine the evolutionary relationships of the brachyuran superfamily Xanthoidea sensu lato. I am interested not only in the phylogenetic relationships within the group, but also the placement of the Xanthoidea within the Decapoda as a whole. In addition, by studying the phylogeography of the group I hope to better understand the historical factors that have contributed to its evolutionary success.