I am interested in the evolution of phytophagous insects, particularly effects of host-range on insect population genetics and phylogeography. My empirical work focuses mostly on members of the Lycaenidae, or gossamer-winged butterflies. I am working on two intrageneric phylogenies (in the genera Everes and Lycaena), as well as intraspecific gene flow within a pair of Lycaena species. Additionally, I am investigating the host use patterns within each of these genera to determine the effects of novel host plants on population genetics of phytophagous insects. I am also interested in methods of hypothesis testing in phylogeography. I am currently evaluating popular methods of phylogeographic hypothesis testing by simulating data and assessing the validity of methods’ inferences.
Advised by David Maddison and Dan Papaj, I defended my Ph.D. dissertation in November 2007 and am currently doing postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Antonia Monteiro at Yale University, where I am conducting phylogenetic reconstructions of wing pattern evolution in butterflies. |