
| Research Interests: ________________________________________________________________ I am interested in all areas of herpetology. My main research interests are in evolution, ecology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. At heart I am truely a "snake guy" and have a keen interest in the evolution and ecology of venomous reptiles. I am particularly interested in phylogeny and the use of phylogenies to answer questions about ecology and evolution. I try to incorporate multi-disciplinary approaches using phylogeny and GIS-based methods to answer macro-evolutionary questions. I am currently a Master's student and research assistant working under Dr. Laurie Vitt. In my thesis research I am investigating the spatial and temporal components that have shaped South American reptile diversity. I am using a widely-distribued species, Corallus hortulanus, to test several biogeographic hypotheses. |







| Biography: I am what is known as a born herper. From my earliest childhood memories I have been flipping rocks, climbing trees and chasing snakes and lizards. After high school I took a hiatus from my studies and ran a successful herpetoculture business that supplied amphibians and reptiles to zoos, universities and private collectors all over the world. While through this experience I gained a great deal of knowledge about global herpetofauna, I knew my true passion was in science. I sold all of my inventory and returned to research. |