I am broadly interested in arthropod adaptation in response to human footprints in an ecosystem. I combine laboratory experiments, field collecting/sampling, and cutting-edge molecular and computational approaches in an integrative way to quantify the impacts of human activities on genomic variation in arthropod species. While my focal organisms are from disparate taxonomic groups, they serve as models to address a broad evolutionary question: how do human-mediated changes in the landscape sculpt arthropod genomes and produce adaptive phenotypic change?  My research also considers the downstream consequences of rapid adaptive changes for both agricultural productivity and vector-borne disease transmission. 

Cara is the Fritz Lab Manager and is responsible for aiding lab maintenance and assisting with projects as needed. Her current project examines Heliocoverpa zea toxin resistence to Bacilus thuringiensis (Bt) corn.

Ben's research interests span biology broadly, with an emphasis on applying bioinformatics and population genomics to understand the basis of adaptation and evolution. Currently, his research applies population genomic approaches to characterize temporal changes in genetic variation and identify candidate regions under selection, with the goal of identifying genomic regions associated with the emergence and spread of insecticide resistance. 

Ben is interested in how the built environment shapes animal evolution, and how urban infrastructure can be designed to facilitate more mutualistic interactions between people and wildlife. Ben's Ph.D. research aims to uncover patterns of adaptive genomic divergence and gene flow among Culex pipiens assemblage members along an urban-rural gradient in greater Washington, D.C.  

Daniel wants to explore how natural selection and population dynamics shape organismal genomes. His research focuses on the evolution and function of serine protease homologs (SPHs) in the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea, including how some SPHs impact resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis-derived Cry toxins.

Logan’s research investigates how tick ecology, habitat characteristics, and human behavior interact to influence tick distribution and tick-borne disease risk in Maryland. Through field surveillance, environmental analysis, and molecular pathogen detection, she examines patterns of Ixodes scapularis abundance and pathogen prevalence across diverse landscapes. 

She is coadvised through the A-SWEL Lab.