Research
My research interests focus
on the ecology, evolution, and conservation of freshwater fishes.
Primarily, I study the taxonomy and systematics of various groups of
fish. Taxonomy is simply the science of classification, or naming, and
systematics is the study of the relationships between organisms. I use
morphological and molecular techniques to investigate questions about
fish ecology and evolution, including geometric morphometrics.
Currently, my
main research area involves the order Cypriniformes, with my major proffessor Jon Armbruster and the ACSI II
project. Cypriniformes includes the minnows, carps, loaches, and barbs, among others. I
am focusing on North American cyprinid diversity for my current research. I have started a taxanomic revision of
the genus Rhinichthys. I have also started several population genetics projects involving two species of Rhinichthys
in the southeastern US. I also recently completed a sampling trip for
cyprinids in the Great Lakes region, with a focus on collecting
specimens of Rhinichthys. Other research involving North American cyprinids includes phylogeographic studies on the Bandfin Shiner, Luxilus zonistius,
and other biogeographic projects with several taxa throughout Alabama
and Georgia with undergraduate researchers in the Amrbruster lab as
part of their guided research experience.
As part of ACSI II, I also traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo with serveral collaborators to study and survey the fishes of the Upper Congo River Basin in August 2010. Photos of the trip can be seen by viewing our Flicker page.
Recently, I completed my Master's work on the catfish genus Isorineloricaria.
These catfish are found in South America, and were formerly part of the Hypostomus emarginatus species group. I am in the process of preparing the work for publication.
I was previously part of the Alabama Mill Dam
Inventory, for which I was the fish specialist. I was in charge of
catching and identifying the fish collected during the survey. I also
helped with
other field work, including mussel and crayfish collection, habitat data
collection, and water temperature data collection. I also help out in an
array of departments here at Auburn through the development of
my beetle colony. I also help with field work involving herps
and mammals.
Additionally, I am interested in the freshwater fauna of the
Southeastern US. As a native of Georgia, I feel that working to
understand the fauna of my home will help ensure its continued
existence, as well as keep me active in my community in ways that are
beneficial to most everyone. In Georgia and Alabama, I am currently working several
projects involving biogeography, life history,
and taxonomic issues concerning native fishes.
In the future, I plan on looking into projects that
involve the ecosystems of the southern Appalachians. My many
trips throughout the region have inspired new ideas about the
functions of people and the organisms that we come in contact
with. If you want to know more about my research or would like to talk to me about research projects, feel free to contact me.