We investigate the fundamental processes that generate and shape the diversity of life on Earth. Our research focuses on the evolution, systematics, and biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians. By combining immersive fieldwork, specimen-based research in museum collections, and genomic sequencing, we tackle core questions about our planet’s biodiversity. This integrated approach allows us to reconstruct the evolutionary history of natural populations and understand the forces that drive their diversification. Much of our work is driven by a central and persistent challenge in biology: the complex, and often ambiguous, nature of species boundaries.
Our work is grounded in the study of natural populations through dedicated fieldwork. At the Burke Museum, we emphasize the critical importance of specimen-based research, which provides the physical and genetic material essential for reproducible and verifiable biodiversity science. We also leverage genome sequencing to generate expansive datasets capable of estimating the genetic divergence between populations. The lab is also actively involved in developing and testing phylogenetic methods. We use powerful statistical frameworks to reconstruct the history of populations from vast amounts of genetic data.
We are deeply committed to education and mentorship at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Inquiries from motivated students with interests in evolution, herpetology, systematics, and genomics are welcome. This commitment to student training is a core value of the lab. Interested students are encouraged to reach out via email to learn more about potential opportunities to join the lab.
