Biography
I am an evolutionary biologist who is fascinated by understanding how social experiences and genetics interact to shape the behaviours expressed by animals, and testing hypotheses about the adaptive value of flexible behaviour. During my time as a graduate student, I discovered my passion for communicating the importance of integrating evolutionary theory into our understanding of all areas within the life sciences. My primary goals in all the classes I teach are to help students learn how to integrate evolutionary perspectives into all sub-disciplines of the life sciences, and to understand how evolutionary biology can be applied to help us better understand humans, including psychology and our health.
Publications
A full list of publications can be found here: Google Scholar
Education
Post-doctoral Research Associate: Michigan State University, East Lansing MI (2021-2022)
PhD: McMaster University, Hamilton ON (2020)
MSc: Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo ON (2016)
Honours BSc: University of Toronto, Mississauga ON (2014)
Teaching
PSYC-3991-B: Evolution & Human Behaviour
PSYC-3991-C: Evolutionary Psychology & Mental Health
PSYC-1001: Introduction to Psychology I
PSYC-3901: History of Psychology
Research
In general, I am interested in any question involving the application of evolutionary theory. Currently, I am developing interactive curricular materials (case studies, simulations, etc.) that can be accessed by students and teachers around the world, and testing how these materials may improve student learning experiences and create a more inclusive learning environment.
My lab research uses fruit flies as a model organism to investigate how genetics and environmental conditions interact to explain variation in behavioral phenotypes, along with the evolutionary implications of this variation. Specifically, I am interested in exploring how the outcomes of previous competitions (e.g. for mates, food, territory, etc) and mating experiences influence the expression of sexually antagonistic traits and the life history of both males and females.