How can some species thrive in urban environments while others disappear? For my Ph.D research, I studied the effects of urbanization on house finches, a successful urban exploiter, by comparing the behavior and oxidative balance of urban and desert-dwelling house finches. I quantified oxidative stress using a combination of endogenous antioxidants and pro-oxidant molecules. I identified significant seasonal and yearly variation in oxidative balance, but found no indication that urban house finches are experiencing oxidative stress.

Do animals have personalities, and do personalities impact population dynamics? 

For my Ph.D thesis,  I addressed these questions in house finches by examining whether different personality types handle stress and sickness differently. I identified differences in behavior between urban and desert populations of house finches, but found no relation between these behaviors and the physiological response to captive or immune challenges.

For my Master's thesis, I profiled personality in black-capped and Carolina chickadees, sister species that hybridize readily. Personality might factor into their mating decisions, which could drive widespread hybridization.