Hine's Emerald dragonfly

Context-dependent species interactions

***I am actively looking for a postdoc and grad student for this research***
I am developing a research project that will address how thermal physiology mediates interactions among species using dragonflies as a model. Because of its numerous small ponds, KBS is home to several species of dragonfly and damselfly. Our Pond Lab facility presents a fantastic opportunity to carry out mid-to-large scale experiments. 

Mechanisms of thermal plasticity

I am interested in better understanding the nuts and bolts of physiological plasticity in aquatic insects. In other words, how does plasticity manifest at different levels of biological organization (from the whole organism to the genome)? Along with a team of colleagues, I am actively seeking funding for a project that will tackle these questions in a glacial meltwater stonefly (Lednia tumana) found in Glacier National Park.  If funded, graduate student and postdoc positions will become available.

Lednia tumana is a tiny stonefly found only in glacial meltwater (image credit: Joe Geirsch, USGS)

Temperate and tropical streams where my range-limit aquatic insect research took place

Physiological underpinnings of species range limits

Much of my earlier work revolved around understanding the physiological causes and consequences of elevation range limits of aquatic insects. I am excited to develop new research along this line of inquiry, in organismal systems such as frogs and dragonflies at KBS and beyond.