Phenotypic plasticity - the ability for a single genotype to produce multiple different phenotypes - can impact the genetic response to selection, underlie trade-offs between physiological systems, and facilitate adaptation to novel environments. Its effects span every level of biological organization, from epigenetic changes at the genome level to species- and population-wide patterns of variation.
My research is centered on understanding the mechanistic causes and developmental and evolutionary consequences of phenotypic plasticity. In particular, my work focuses on the role of the maternal environment, hormones, and host-associated microbiota in these processes.
Research themes and current projects
more info soon
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Ecophysiology
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Maternal effects
The evolution of
adaptive plasticity
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Join the Animal Microbiome Research Group
In 2020, I founded the mammalian microbiome research group and its first annual meeting with Drs. Alice Baniel (Arizona State University) and Amy Sweeny (University of Edinburgh). The group is aimed at fostering collaborations, networking, methods troubleshooting, and topics discussions for early career researchers using the microbiome as a research tool across a variety of study systems. Recently, we have merged with the Avian Microbiome Group, rebranded as the Animal Microbiome Research Group, and have 250+ members on our Slack workspace. Please join us!
Check out our website here.
To read about the research group and past meeting, click here.
To join the Slack workspace and participate in the annual meetings, click here.