My post-doctoral research studies the genomic response to selection for a morphological trait. We aim to understand the molecular basis of phenotypic variation and response to selection in a population genetics and quantitative genetics framework. The ultimate goal is to re-trace the entire selection experiment in every individual, at every locus, in the entire genome.
My dissertation work used a long-term artificial selection experiment on mice that have been bred for high voluntary wheel-running to answer:
I used various research techniques, including quantitative genetics, simulation modeling, "animal model" pedigree-based analyses, endrocrinology, and whole-animal behavior and performance measures.
The field site in Nicaragua was intersected with two rivers, the San Juan and Bartola. Increased tourism in this area of Nicaragua encouraged the villagers to use motor boats instead of canoes, which used to be the norm. My partner and I wanted to test whether the anthropogenic noise on the Bartola river had an effect on the developing cane toads (tadpoles and froglets).
Another project we had in Nicaragua was to study if increased human noises (boat motors, construction chainsaws) affected the behavior of howler monkeys.