our research

We are interested in evolutionary changes in physiology and behavior. How do these changes occur? What happens to behavior as the brain evolves? Historically, our research has focused on chemical senses and chemical ecology in vertebrates; our current studies in this area involve rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa), but we have also worked with other salamanders as well as frogs, lampreys, and goldfish. More recently, we began studying infrared sensing in ball pythons (Python regius). We use a combination of techniques and approaches, including behavioral observation, neurophysiology, anatomy and histology, molecular biology and bioinformatics, and microbiology.

Students in the lab are encouraged to pursue their own research interests within the general area of biology that includes the study of the evolution of physiology and behavior, particularly with amphibians.

lab motto: “this works great when it works.”