I’m broadly interested in the intersection of ecology, evolution, conservation, and animal behavior. I use a combination of field experiments and modeling to understand how individual decision-making by wild animals can shape ecosystems and how these systems respond to human-driven environmental change. Much of my empirical work has focused on spying on fish in coral reefs, ‘Big Brother’/‘1984’-style to carefully measure (with the help of many cameras) how environmental inputs map onto behavioral outputs. My favorite study species (so far), the roving herbivores (e.g., parrotfish, surgeonfish, rabbitfish), are especially interesting to probe, because they perform the critical ecological function of controlling (by eating) algae, which can otherwise kill coral and degrade entire coral reef ecosystems.
keywords
High-throughput data-collection systems, field studies, animal behavior, mathematical models, computational models, decision-making of wild animals, wild animal decision-making, population dynamics, ecosystem state, tropical fish, fish in tropical coral reefs
EBIO 1500 - Introduction to Marine Biology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
This course introduces students to marine ecosystems, with particular emphasis on how marine species interact with one another and with their physical environment, and how knowledge of these relationships can inform marine conservation. This course also introduces students to foundational principles of marine biology research, current research topics in marine biology, and the processes involved in conducting scientific research in marine ecosystems. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1210 and/or 1220 and/or 1100 and/or 1250.
EBIO 2040 - Principles of Ecology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2023 / Fall 2025
Lecture and laboratory. Introduces principles of ecology, emphasizing patterns and processes at various levels of biological organization. Scope global, but examples often from local environment. Laboratory emphasizes techniques of field biology. Uses animals and/or animal tissues. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1030 and EBIO 1040 and EBIO 1050 or EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 (minimum grade C-). Degree credit not granted for this course and EBIO 2640.
EBIO 4200 - Marine Ecological Research
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023
Examines marine community ecology and species interactions in tropical coral reef systems immersing students in field research, from conceptualization to final products. This course includes a significant writing component engaging students in original research experiences at an international research station. Weekly 1 hour meetings during the semester followed by an 18-day field international research trip immediately following finals week. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 and EBIO 2040 and EBIO 3080.
EBIO 4990 - EBIO Honors Thesis Research
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2024 / Spring 2025
To be taken during the final academic year prior to graduation. Consists of the final phase of honors research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Recommended prerequisites: minimum 3.3 GPA and a declared EBIO major and approval by departmental Honors program.
