Evolutionary Ecology

BIOGRAPHY

ACADEMIC POSITION:
Professor, Department of Genetics, University of Georgia

EDUCATION:
PhD (1990) Oxford University

MEMBERSHIPS/AWARDS:
• Fellow, American Assoociation for the Advancement of Science
• Editorial Board, Proceedings of the Royal Society
• Editorial Advisory Board, Ideas in Ecology and Evolution
• Creative Research Medal, University of Georgia, 2005
• Visiting Professorship, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France 2005, 2008
• Visiting Professorship, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 2002

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
In our work, we use theoretical and experimental approaches to ask questions about the evolutionary causes and consequences of variation in behavior and life history strategies. Our research interests are united by a common theme of evolutionary demography, and have focused in particular on the evolution of senescence and the costs and benefits of sexual selection and reproduction. Current projects in our lab include empirical and theoretical studies on the evolution of aging, research on the relationship between immunity and aging, and studies of genetic variation for somatic mutation rate in flies. In addition, we are studying ecological interactions between Drosophila and other species that they interact with in the wild.