Professor, Chair of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
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Physical & Biological Sciences Division
Professor, Chair of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Faculty
Environmental Studies Department
Long Marine Lab Ocean Health Building
Coastal Biology Building 265
Long Marine Lab 153
By Appointment
CBB/EE Biology
I obtained my Bachelors degree from U.C. Berkeley and a Ph.D from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I was a postdoctoral researcher at U.C. Davis from 2006-2009.
Comparative physiology
Functional morphology
Behavioral ecology, Animal Behavior, Ethology
My research seeks to understand morphological, physiological, and behavioral evolution. I have a special interest in studying the mechanisms guiding diversification in vertebrate clades whose members have evolved an elongate and limb-reduced (or complete loss) body plan such as snakes, anguilliform fishes, and other eel-like vertebrates. I am also interested in the evolution of morphological and behavioral innovations in organismal design.
Animal Physiology
Comparative Physiology & Functional Morphology
Biomechanics
UCSC Chancellor's Achievement Award for Diversity 2015
"The Carl Gans Award," in recognition of Carl Gans' scientific career and editorial contributions to animal morphology, biomechanics, and functional biology. This is an annual award presented by the Chair of the Division of Comparative Biomechanics of the Society for the Study of Integrative and Comparative Biology.