Foodweb ecology, conservation biology, biostatistics, pedagogical engagement, interdisciplinary curriculum design, research-based education

ISCI 1A24

ISCI 2A18

ISCI 3A12

ISCI 4A12

ISCI/ARTSCI 3IE1 - KENTUCKY CAVES

ISCI/ARTSCI 3IE1 - GRANT WRITING

ISCI 3IS3

Foodweb and community ecology of non-indigenous (invasive) species. My field and laboratory research attempts to determine the direct and indirect interactions and mechanisms through which non-indigenous species impact resident foodwebs and ecosystems. I employ a combination of empirical and theoretical tools to understand these interactions across multiple spatial and temporal scales. My pedagogical research seeks to increase student engagement in the entire teaching and learning process. I pursue this through identifying the importance of interdisciplinarity in teaching ? Why do I need to study math if I am interested in biology? Additionally, I seek to discover techniques and strategies that increase student involvement in the classroom, enhancing student activity in the classroom and their general desire to learn and apply learning concepts. My field and laboratory research attempts to determine the direct and indirect interactions and mechanisms through which non-indigenous species impact resident foodwebs and ecosystems. I employ a combination of empirical and theoretical tools to understand these interactions across multiple spatial and temporal scales. My primary research interests deal with how populations of non-indigenous (invasive) species interact with resident species over multiple spatial and temporal scales. The main thrust of my research highlights the importance of indirect interactions as a mechanism by which non-indigenous species impact these systems. My research to date has combined these ideas with quantitative theory and empirical studies in a number of managed and natural systems. I use a number of statistical approaches, including multivariate and spatial statistics, to address both applied and fundamental questions. The ultimate goal of my research is to ascertain the key interactions by which non-indigenous species impact native ecosystems and how we may predict the outcome of these impacts for conservation purposes.