About

Teaching

My recent teaching efforts have included the courses Biology Field Studies: Costa Rica (study abroad), Humans and Animals (writing course), Ichthyology (biology of fishes), and Human Anatomy.

Research

The overall goal of my research is to study the origin and conservation of biodiversity, with most work being done on freshwater fishes of North and South America. I do research in the field, in the laboratory, and at institutions such as zoos and natural history museums. The methods I use involve behavior, ecology, anatomy, physiology, and taxonomy and systematics. Some of my projects seek to better understand the evolution of social behavior, with a focus on mating systems such as monogamy and polygyny. My conservation-oriented research seeks to advance the social and psychological wellbeing of fishes held in captivity and to understand and control non-native introduced species.