My primary objectives are to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying morphological diversification.  More specifically, are they predictable patterns to the evolution of development and can development influence the rates and direction of morphological evolution.  To address these questions I am trying to integrate traditional evolutionary approaches of studying morphological evolution with the rapidly expanding technological field of Evo-devo.  As a study system I explore variation in the vertebrate skeleton at both macro- and microevolutionary levels.  The bulk of my primary research is aimed at adding a reptilian model system to macroevolutionary comparisons of skeletal development and understanding the changes that have led to the adaptive evolution of Anolis lizards.  

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more details!