I am a theoretical ecologist broadly interested in using quantitative methods to study the effects of environmental changes on species interactions within communities. I am currently a PhD student in Dr. Colin Kremer's lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UConn.
My research focuses on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of phytoplankton communities and how these are influenced by environmental factors (largely light and temperature) and the ability for an individual phytoplankton to go dormant. Just like how dormancy is an integral part of a terrestrial plant's life history, many species of phytoplankton have the ability to adjust their physiology and morphology to better help them survive otherwise deadly circumstances. I use a combination of mathematical modeling, lab work, and field studies to learn about how dormancy affects a phytoplankton species' ability to adapt to changing temperature conditions. I have also previously worked in labs studying social insect behavior and foraging, using agent-based modeling techniques to learn about foraging patterns. |