Research
General interests
I am broadly interested in the physiological mechanisms that underlie behavioral and life history traits, and how these traits are shaped by natural selection. I use a mix of field and lab techniques to study individual variation in hormone levels, fitness-related traits, parental and sexual behavior, and costs and benefits for parents and offspring.
Current projects:
Individual variation in parental resilience to stress and influence on offspring early life environment in house wrens (Troglodytes aedon)
Feather ornamentation, territorial behavior, and hormones in lark sparrows (Chondestes grammacus).
Feather coloration of grassland birds using museum specimens
Older projects:
I have led or been involved with several other projects. Most of these were with eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) Please click the links below to learn more.
Individual variation and repeatability of testosterone levels
Testosterone and reproductive success in males and females
Rearing environment and offspring traits
Habitat and reproductive success
Collaborations (tadpole corticosterone, modeling stress)