Research Interests
The theme of my research is to investigate conservation
issues while extending theory in ecology. How do anthropogenic stressors
alter an individual’s response to conspecifics, competitors, resources,
pathogens and predators, and how do these differential responses between
individuals alter community dynamics?
My current research integrates many fields of study
to investigate the causes of amphibian declines worldwide. Amphibians
represent an ideal model organism to investigate the disparate effects
of global change because they are found worldwide and are susceptible
to several of the leading contributors to global change: habitat modification,
climate change, invasive species, disease, and contaminants. My research
has focused primarily on understanding the impacts of multiple stressors,
both biotic (predators and pathogens) and abiotic (pollutants and habitat
alterations), on aquatic communities. I believe this research has benefits
to advance not only the theory of the relevant fields but also the conservation
of the species involved. Therefore my goal is to not only observe the
negative impacts stressors have on organisms within a community, but also
to learn about the changes in community dynamics that result.
My latest research examines the effects of the combined stress of low
concentration pesticide exposure and the presence of viral disease in
tiger salamanders. I have found evidence that pesticide exposure increases
susceptibility to disease. In addition to pesticides, the presence of
a predator also drastically increases mortality in virus exposed animals.
Click here to see a recent poster presentation
by one of my undergraduate researchers.
My dissertation research focused on understanding the influences pesticides
have on ecologically important behaviors, particularly in amphibians.
I studied the relative impacts of low pesticide concentrations on predators
and prey and possible influences on declining amphibian populations throughout
California. I have found significant behavioral alterations in predator-prey
interactions between two species of frogs (Pseudacris regilla and
Rana boylii) with crayfish and fish predators. I have also found
significant alterations in competitive interactions between the same two
species of frogs.
I
have also been involved in several different projects involving research
on invasive crayfish. Our Sea grant project investigated the factors influencing
the spread and impact of two species of non-native crayfish (Procambarus
clarkii and Pascifastacus leniusculus). In conjunction with
Lee Kats and Pepperdine University, I was also currently involved in a
restoration project to attempt removal of crayfish from a southern California
coastal stream.
I am currently in the midst of writing up several papers on these topics
and expect to submit several more manuscripts by years end. Please feel
free to contact me to obtain the
latest findings of my research.
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