ABOUT ME
My research focuses on the evolution of visual systems and color signals using studies of comparative molecular evolution, protein modeling, behavior, and electrophysiology in a diversity of animals.
LAB MANAGER
Mireille Steck
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Sitara Palecanda
PhD student studying larval stomatopod diversity. Looking at species level diversity and changes in vision throughout embryonic and larval development in Pullosquilla.
Marisa McDonald
PhD student investigating larval stomatopod visual systems. Focusing on understanding the developmental physiology and anatomy of the visual system evolution in stomatopods with a focus on the larval transition.
Tom Iwanicki
PhD student aiming to understand evolution through genetics and sensory biology. Current systems include bioluminescent crustaceans: decapods, amphipods, copepods - all the pods! Connecting visual gene diversity and bioluminescence.
Hannah Moon
MS student studying the visual systems of procellariiform seabirds. Focusing on the spectral, temporal, and molecular aspects of vision to help reduce anthropogenic impacts of light on birds.
Melissa Atkins
MS student studying the visual evolution in bat flies through genetics and proteomics. Aiming to understand evolutionary trajectories of broader ectoparasite trends in visual system reductions.
UNDERGRADUATES AND TECHNICIANS
Noah Simon
Post-bac looking at different batfly species varying degrees of eye reduction. Characterizing the eye morphology and opsin expression profiles of different batfly species will help to gain insights into the regressive evolution of visual systems.
Kristina Theam
Undergraduate student working on molecularly identifying stomatopod larvae using COI barcoding.
COLLABORATORS
PAST LAB MEMBERS
Albert Chan
Erdine Sylvain
Shirley Lin
Elizabeth Winnicki
Alexa Collins
Ryan Shiesha
Jessica Chen
Lauren Ho
Erica Shin
LAB MASCOTS
Frank
Species ID: Lysiosquillina maculata Common name: Giant Mantis Shrimp
Frank lives up to his name, at only 2 lab years old (his time in the lab) he is already a whopping 15cm! While he spends most of his day working on perfecting his sand burrow, he will occasionally come to the top of his burrow to investigate the world. Subsisting on an entirely shrimp diet, Frank has become quite content with his role as a lab mascot and is well loved.
Lady Googles
Species ID: Odontodactylus brevirostris Common name: Shortnose Mantis Shrimp
Lady Googles is as fiesty as they come. Weighing in at a solid 2.5g, she packs a mean punch. When she isn't roaming her quarters attempting to break the glass, she is hungrily munching down some fine shrimp chow.
