Previous Education
B.S. Biology. Louisiana State University
Research Interests
I study the evolution of the cichlid visual system in the context of cichlid speciation. Cichlid fishes found in the east African Great Lakes are the most rapidly speciating organisms known. Mate choice for Interspecific differences in male nuptial color are proposed to drive this rapid radiation, and vision may be an important component of this. Questions I am interested in include: What is the phylogenetic scale at which cichlid visual systems vary? In what aspects of the visual system do closely related cichlid species differ? What selective force is driving the evolution of the cichlid visual system? Is sensory bias driving cichlid speciation?
Location of Research
Lakes Tanganyika and Malawi, Africa
Funding Source
2006-2007 Darwin Fellowship University of Maryland
2008 Cosmos Club Foundation Grant
2008 Sigma Xi Grant in Aid of Research
2008 Guy Jordan Endowment Fund of the American Cichlid Association
BEES Program Office, 2239 Bio/Psych Building, College of Chemical and Life Sciences,
University of Maryland,
College Park, Maryland 20742
phone: (301) 405-4552 | email: beesoffice@umd.edu
