About
B.S., Ph.D. Florida State University (Ph.D. Advisor: Dr. Joseph Travis), NRSA Post Doctoral Fellow North Carolina State University (Post doctoral mentor: Dr. Trudy Mackay)
Research interests
Our research is focused on understanding the genetic basis of natural variation in life history traits using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model organism. We are particularly interested in identifying genes that control age-specific changes in traits that contribute to senescence and ultimately limit life span. These traits include age-specific reproduction, immune response and physical performance.
Teaching interests
Biology 142:Ecology and Evolution, Biology 483/683: Evolution: From Genes to Genomes, Biol 463/663 Theoretical and Quantitative Biology
Education
- Ph D, Biology — Florida State University (1997)
- BS, Biology — Florida State University (1983)
Publications
- Sex-specific responses to simulated territorial intrusions provide evidence for relaxed selection pressure on female song in Orchard Orioles 2024
- The age-specific phagocytic ability of adult Drosophila melanogaster hemocytes using an In vivo phagocytosis assay 2020
- Lisinopril Preserves Physical Resilience and Extends Life Span in a Genotype-Specific Manner in Drosophila melanogaster 2019
- Geographic and Seasonal Variation in Species Diversity and Community Composition of Frugivorous Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and their Leptopilina (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) Parasitoids 2018
- Pleiotropy, constraint, and modularity in the evolution of life histories: insights from genomic analyses 2017
- Knockdown expression of Syndecan in the fat body impacts nutrient metabolism and the organismal response to environmental stresses in Drosophila melanogaster. 2016
- Review of the genus Leptopilina (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae, Eucoilinae) from the Eastern United States, including three newly described species 2016
- Development and Assessment of Modules to Integrate Quantitative Skills in Introductory Biology Courses 2016
- Variable light environments induce plastic spectral tuning by regional opsin coexpression in the African cichlid fish, Metriaclima zebra. 2015
- Phagocytic ability declines with age in adult Drosophila hemocytes 2014
- The adaptive significance of population differentiation in offspring size of the least killifish, Heterandria formosa 2013
- Defense traits of larval Drosophila melanogaster exhibit genetically based tradeoffs against different species of parasitoids. Evolution 2013
- Evolution in population parameters: density-dependence as a case study of reciprocity. American Naturalist 2013
- Age-specific variation in immune response in Drosophila melanogaster has a genetic basis 2012
- Genomic basis of extended lifespan and late-age fertility in Drosophila melanogaster. 2012
- Road salt stress induces novel food web structure and interactions. Wetlands 2011
- Using Insects as Models of Immunosenescence
- The genetic basis of variation in age-specific fecundity and lifespan in <I>Drosophila melanogaster is diet specific
Courses Taught
- Pre Candidacy Doc Rsch
- Intro To Grad Experience
- Undergrad. Lab/Field Rsch
- Tutorial Projects In Bio
- Undergrad. Lab/Field Rsch
- Ugrad Tchng Assistantshp
- Foundations of Biology: Ecolog
- Foundations of Biology: Ecolog
- Foundations of Biology: Ecolog
- Foundations of Biology: Ecolog
- Foundations of Biology: Ecolog
- Medical Case Studies
- Evol: From Genes To Genomes
- Foundations of Biology: Ecolog