Research Interests & Projects
Although I have diverse interests that span the field of community ecology, my current work focuses on how bacteriophage contribute to nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. I am exploring the mechanisms through which phage alter bacterial metabolisms and species interactions in order to understand how the smallest biological entities can have disproportionately massive impacts on global nutrient cycling. To do so, I am using the aquatic community that lives within the leaves of carnivorous purple pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea). My work uses observational field surveys to characterize phage diversity across the native and non-native range of the purple pitcher plant, as well as field and laboratory experiments to detail the pathways through which phage alter bacterial diversity, metabolic function, and interactions with grazers.
In addition to my work in community ecology and microbial systems, I have a number of other interests in competition theory, life history evolution, trait-based ecology, and evolutionary ecology. I use tools and ideas from these disciplines to fuel my primary projects, as well as a number of exciting side projects in a variety of systems from marine catfishes to green lynx spiders to more conceptual and theoretical projects.
Students interested in collaborating on research projects can schedule a meeting with me on my Calendly page.
In addition to my work in community ecology and microbial systems, I have a number of other interests in competition theory, life history evolution, trait-based ecology, and evolutionary ecology. I use tools and ideas from these disciplines to fuel my primary projects, as well as a number of exciting side projects in a variety of systems from marine catfishes to green lynx spiders to more conceptual and theoretical projects.
Students interested in collaborating on research projects can schedule a meeting with me on my Calendly page.
Incorporating Intraspecific Variation Into Competition Theory (Dissertation)
My doctoral work explored how trait variation within a species can help or hinder coexistence between competitors. Previous work on this topic has lead to opposite conclusions - some studies find that intraspecific variation makes coexistence more difficult while others find that variation is they key to coexistence. My work sought to reconcile these seemingly contradictory conclusions by asking when and how intraspecific trait variation can contribute positively to known coexistence mechanisms.
Through this work, I was able to demonstrate that there are general mechanisms through which intraspecific trait variation can expand the range of conditions under which two competitors can coexist. This work also explored the emergent form of trait distributions in response to competition. I developed a framework for calculating interaction strengths, as well as niche and fitness differences, at the individual level, which revealed new insights into the details of how interactions between discrete individuals can lead to emergent outcomes for stability and coexistence between populations. This work used deterministic and stochastic modeling, which allowed me to add theoretical tools to my skillset alongside my training in empirical experimental and molecular approaches. I am also interested in applying these ideas to other kinds of ecological interactions beyond competition and welcome anyone interested in collaborating! You can contact me via email or on Twitter. |
Environmental Change & Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics (Master's Thesis)
Aspects of our world, like temperature regimes and nutrient input, are changing as the result of human activities. I am interested in the evolutionary consequences of environmental changes and how those evolutionary responses will alter species interactions. Rapid trait evolution in one species can change the way it interacts with other species. Change the traits of a single species and you will likely see effects on its prey, competitors and predators that can ultimately change the composition of entire communities.
Since my interests are largely theoretical, I do not feel tied to any particular study system. However, throughout my master's I had the pleasure of working with an interesting plant - the purple pitcher plant. They have cup-shaped leaves that collect rainwater. These carnivorous plants, unlike many others, do not produce compounds to digest their prey. Instead, they rely on a community of microbes (bacteria and protists) and invertebrates (insect larvae and rotifers) that live inside of the leaves to break down insects that fall into the water and release nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. What makes this system so great for the kinds of questions I'm interested in? Put simply, they're small, which makes them easy to manipulate and replicate. The organisms in the community also have short generations (1 generation = 4-8 hours for an average protist) which makes them great for studying evolution. To approach these ideas, I utilize techniques such as DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, laboratory experiments and theoretical models and incorporate ideas from evolution, genetics and ecology. You can read more about this topic and my master's thesis here. |