I have broad interests in the ecological morphology, functional morphology, biomechanics, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary biology of animals. A major component my research is the use of direct measures of animal performance, particularly bite force, to investigate predator-prey interactions and social behavior. Some areas of inquiry, usually in collaboration with everyone from old colleagues to current students, include sexual dimorphism, combat and territoriality, morphology/performance scaling, methodological standardization of performance testing, predator behavior, ballistic prey capture, and how evolutionary modifications of muscle physiology can facilitate specialized behaviors. My research subjects primarily have been reptiles (lizards, snakes, tuatara, crocodylians) and amphibians (toads and other frogs), though students in my lab also have worked with insects (mantids, dragonfly nymphs). Students interested in joining my lab should send me an email describing their research interests and career goals, with their CV and transcripts attached.
