I received a Bachelors of Science in Zoology with a minor in genetics from Iowa State University in the spring of 2005.  For undergraduate research, I focused on two systems.  First, I worked in the laboratory of Dr. Anne Bronkowski studying the life history evolution of garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans).  Second, I spent time in the field studying the ecology of recovered wetlands in western Iowa and the herpetofauna that inhabit these wetlands.

Background

I graduated with a Masters of Science from The University of Alabama in August of 2007.  At Alabama, I conducted research concerned with the ecological and evolutionary physiology of reptiles and amphibians under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Secor.  My thesis "Matched regulation of gastrointestinal performance for the Burmese python, Python molurus" focused on the coordinated response for various components of the python digestive system. Additionally, I was involved with projects assessing determinants of specific dynamic action and energy efficiencies for many different reptiles and amphibians.

I am currently a graduate student at the University of Texas at Arlington.  I started Fall 2007 under the tutelage of Dr. Paul Chippindale, an evolutionary biologist who studies salamanders (mostly). My research in this lab has focused on the molecular systematics and conservation biology of salamanders from the genus Eurycea from the Edwards plateau of Central Texas. Additionally, in collaboration with other lab members, I am involved with projects exploring issues in theoretical systematics. The unifying theme of my research interests throughout my academic career is the relationship between organismal function and their environment and how this is related to broad-scale patterns of evolution.