I am studying ecological and evolutionary processes that affect community structure and dynamics. My study system consists of microbial communities associated with the body surface of fish. First, I will study patterns of natural variation in microbial communities associated with fish. Samples collected from wild fish populations will be used to compare community structure and diversity in bacterial communities among different species of fish. Next, I will perform experimental manipulations in the field and laboratory to evaluate what factors that impact community structure and evolution of the microbial communities existing on the surface of fish.

Publications

Article in journal (Refereed)

Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)