Natalie Whitehead

About Me

Hello! My name is Natalie Whitehead, and I am a Ph.D. researcher in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the University of California, Riverside, where I am advised by Dr. Theodore Garland Jr. I earned my B.S. in Ecology from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

My research explores how behavior, physiology, and life history traits interact to shape health, performance, and aging. Using a long term experimental evolution model in selectively bred High Runner mice, I investigate tradeoffs and correlations among physical performance, activity, lifespan, healthspan, and reproductive success. My work integrates behavioral assays, physiological performance measures such as VO₂max and sprint speed, neuromuscular function, and longitudinal life history data to better understand how natural selection on behavior can influence whole organism biology across the lifespan.

Broadly, I am interested in behavioral evolution, animal physiology, aging biology, and how early life traits predict later life outcomes. I enjoy combining experimental approaches with quantitative analysis to address questions at the intersection of evolution, health, and performance.

If you are interested in collaborations, discussing research, or anything related to behavioral and evolutionary biology, I would love to connect.