Research

Origins of Light Sensitivity

Eyes and vision are often considered mind-bogglingly complex, begging the question of how evolution could have produced them. We are addressing this question by examining the components of eyes and vision in a phylogenetic context, to trace those components to their very origins.

Evolution of Arthropod Eyes

Arthropods have more types of eye design that any other phylum. How and why did this diversity arise? We are combining a variety of tools and approaches from next generation sequencing to phylogenetics to behavioral studies in order to understand why there is so much variation in arthropod eyes.

Convergent Evolution

Evolutionary convergence provides an element of replicability within the singular history of life, and can yield insight into the most general evolutionary questions. Do convergent traits utilize the same genes? We are examining these types of questions in mollusks like octopus, squid, and chitons.

Evolution of bioluminescence

Bioluminescence has evolved over 40 times independently in marine systems. We use the diverse, bioluminescent mating and defense displays of Carribean ostracods to understand the molecular basis of bioluminescence and how bioluminescence contributes to speciation.