Research
My curent research focuses on understanding how genetic variation contributes to phenotypic differences. On this note, I am incorporating a variety of tools, from morphological analyses to genetics such as transcriptomics and RNAseq. This is a growing area for me, my past research examined:
Lorisidae Evolution
Our understanding of the Family Lorisidae (angwantibos, pottos, slender lorises, and slow lorises) evolution is limited. To improve our understanding of these primates, I took an integrative approach that involves genetics, museum measurements, and other morphological analyses (e.g. photograph analyses). Future work will explore how coat color and patterns evolved within Lorisidae, and what genes influence these differences. This multi-method approach lets me begin to determine what influences these phenotypic and possibly adaptive differences.
Phylogeny & Taxonomy
Much of my research has involved examining taxonomic differences of primates. Most notably I recognized three new species of slow lorises (Nycticebus) on Borneo. The Bornean loris research involved analyzing face mask differences and their biogeography to discern species. I have now incorporated mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to further enhance our understanding of slow loris and Lorisidae evolution. Also, I have incorporated allometric analyses to detect subtle size differences in small-bodied primates, such as tarsiers and galagos. Allometric studies will be extended to Lorisidae as well as Callitrichidae species.
Behavioral Ecology and Conservation
The majority of the world's primates are threatened. Work that focuses on understanding their behavioral ecology is needed for conservation efforts. My past work contributed to knowing the abundance of Bornean tarsiers and Bornean slow lorises in Sabah, Malaysia, as well as East Kalimantan. Additionally, my work in Sabah examined niche partitioning between tarsiers and lorises. Both these primates share similar niches, but reduce competition by favoring different heights in the canopy, as well as different forest densities.
My curent research focuses on understanding how genetic variation contributes to phenotypic differences. On this note, I am incorporating a variety of tools, from morphological analyses to genetics such as transcriptomics and RNAseq. This is a growing area for me, my past research examined:
Lorisidae Evolution
Our understanding of the Family Lorisidae (angwantibos, pottos, slender lorises, and slow lorises) evolution is limited. To improve our understanding of these primates, I took an integrative approach that involves genetics, museum measurements, and other morphological analyses (e.g. photograph analyses). Future work will explore how coat color and patterns evolved within Lorisidae, and what genes influence these differences. This multi-method approach lets me begin to determine what influences these phenotypic and possibly adaptive differences.
Phylogeny & Taxonomy
Much of my research has involved examining taxonomic differences of primates. Most notably I recognized three new species of slow lorises (Nycticebus) on Borneo. The Bornean loris research involved analyzing face mask differences and their biogeography to discern species. I have now incorporated mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to further enhance our understanding of slow loris and Lorisidae evolution. Also, I have incorporated allometric analyses to detect subtle size differences in small-bodied primates, such as tarsiers and galagos. Allometric studies will be extended to Lorisidae as well as Callitrichidae species.
Behavioral Ecology and Conservation
The majority of the world's primates are threatened. Work that focuses on understanding their behavioral ecology is needed for conservation efforts. My past work contributed to knowing the abundance of Bornean tarsiers and Bornean slow lorises in Sabah, Malaysia, as well as East Kalimantan. Additionally, my work in Sabah examined niche partitioning between tarsiers and lorises. Both these primates share similar niches, but reduce competition by favoring different heights in the canopy, as well as different forest densities.
