People

I am interested in evolution of adaptations that allowed insect to become such a diverse and abundant group of organisms. I use combination of phylogenetic, transcriptomic, genomic, and X-ray microtomographic methods to improve our understanding of evolutionary processes that generated one particularly ecologically successful group of insects: termites. From the termites’ evolutionary success benefited also diverse groups of their symbionts - from microbes to flies and beetles living in relationships with termites spanning from mutualism to parasitism. Many complex adaptations in termites and their symbionts evolved apparently repeatedly and my long-term goal is to uncover genetic and ecological drivers of convergent evolution using these organisms as a model system.

I’m an entomologist aiming to study the patterns of relationships among different groups of insects using modern molecular techniques and bioinformatics (phylogenomics). I’m also interested in the organelle genomes evolution and the population genomics of insects, which together with phylogenomics help me to understand the evolutionary history of insects in an integrative approach.

I am an evolutionary biologist interested in how population-level processes shape macroevolution and molecular evolution, and to what extent evolutionary outcomes are predictable. I work with natural populations of non-model insects, particularly Coleoptera, using population genomics, phylogenomics and comparative genomics to assess how species traits and ecological strategies shape population dynamics, and in turn influence molecular evolution, genome evolution and speciation. My current research focuses on the demographic constraints and patterns of selection associated with termitophily in Aleocharinae rove beetles, and their consequences for genome evolution in termite-associated lineages relative to their free-living counterparts.

I work on termite biology, and structure and function of insect body.

I enjoy reading books, working in the lab as a lab technician, and spending time outdoors in nature with my three kids. Getting out in nature with my children allows me to recharge. My interests are in the field of molecular biology, especially learning about techniques such as nanopore sequencing. I like keeping up with the latest molecular biology methods. I take pride in supporting scientific efforts to better understand life at the molecular level.

I am a taxonomist and systematist with my past research focused on Staphylinidae of the West Indies. These skills will be applied throughout my PhD to focus on termitophilous Aleocharinae and begin to understand their morphology, evolution, and taxonomy.

I am an entomologist particularly intrigued by social insects. For my PhD I will be studying the evolution of microbe-termite-termitophile tripartite symbiotic system. My research will broadly explore microbes that have been horizontally transmitted between convergent termitophile-termite associations. In addition to my academic research I like to sketch sometimes and I hope to learn scientific illustration.

I’m a postdoc parasitologist currently also working as a Lab Assistant/Manager in the Insect Symbiosis Lab. I check for lab supplies and help my colleagues with a variety of laboratory analyses.