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Our research is dedicated to describing invertebrate biodiversity from the aquatic and microscopic (rotifers, gastrotrichs) to the terrestrial and macroscopic (whipscorpions, whipsiders) and everything in between, including a variety of parasites (ticks, mites, mosquitoes). Together we describe new species, explore their morphologies, characterize their behaviors, and define their functional roles in the environment. We take an integrative approach to our research and utilize a variety of methods and technologies to explore these topics including DIC and confocal laser scanning microscopy, atomic force microscopy, histology, histochemistry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, focused ion-beam SEM, and molecular sequencing. There are generally multiple projects occurring simultaneously in the lab at any one time, and many of the projects are entirely unrelated. We are currently exploring rotifer biodiversity and evolution and gastrotrich anatomy and ultrastructure. If you have an idea for a project related to these taxa or something else entirely, let's discuss it. I am open to exploring a wide variety of invertebrates and encourage students to become independent researchers during their tenure as students in my laboratory.  The rotifer Trichocerca similis. I had fun on the TEM trying to figure out the structure of its retrocerebral organ (seen on right).  Beautiful little species of Synchaeata (Rotifera) from Locust pond in Massachusetts. |
