Matthew G. Girard

Doctoral Candidate

University of Kansas

About Matt

Hello and welcome. My name is Matt Girard, and I am a doctoral candidate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute at the University of Kansas. I am an ichthyologist, or fish fanatic, who enjoys asking questions about the anatomy, evolution, and natural history of fishes. My research specifically focuses on the systematics of perch-like fishes and how both phenotypic and genotypic features can inform our understanding of this group’s evolutionary history. Please explore my publications and feel free to contact me for more information.

I also have a passion for teaching and have been lucky enough to play a role in the education of thousands of students, primarily at the University of Kansas. From introductory-level biology courses, to advanced courses on systematics and the history and diversity of life, I truly enjoy engaging with students and inviting them to expand their knowledge and understanding of life. Take a look at my teaching section as well as my CV for more information.

I am a proud member of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) and currently serve as the Illustration Editor for Ichthyology & Herpetology. Consider joining ASIH if you love fishes, amphibians, or reptiles!

I also enjoy photography and using different imaging techniques to showcase the morphological features and the fishes that I am working with. Feel free to check out some of my recent photos below.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter or reach out to me via email if you would like to get in contact.

Interests

Comparative anatomy
Evolution and natural history of fishes
Macroevolutionary patterns and processes

Education

Doctoral Candidate, Current - Expected Completion: 2021

University of Kansas
Bachelor of Science - Biology with Ecology Emphasis, 2014

Loyola University Chicago

Current Research

Characterizing the morphology of the Carangiformes

Current Research

The relationships among Threadfins (Polynemidae)

Current Research

Anatomy and evolution of Archerfishes (Toxotidae)

Featured Publications

The Phylogeny of Carangiform Fishes: Morphological and Genomic Investigations of a New Fish Clade

In this study, we performed combined analyses of new and previously identified discrete morphological characters and new and previously …

Matthew G. Girard, Matthew P. Davis, W. Leo Smith

PDF DOI

Improving Vertebrate Skeleton Images: Fluorescence and the Non-Permanent Mounting of Cleared-and-Stained Specimens

One of the most difficult challenges remaining in comparative anatomy is accurately communicating morphological variation, and …

W. Leo Smith, Chesney A. Buck, Gregory S. Ornay, Matthew P. Davis, Rene P. Martin, Sarah Z. Gibson, Matthew G. Girard

PDF DOI

Recent Publications

For a searchable list of my publications, please click here.

Luke C. Strotz, Marianna Simões, Matthew G. Girard, Laura Breitkreuz, Julien Kimmig, Bruce S. Lieberman (2018). Getting somewhere with the Red Queen: chasing a biologically modern definition of the hypothesis. In Biology Letters.

PDF DOI

Rene P. Martin, Emily E. Olsen, Matthew G. Girard, W. Leo Smith, Matthew P. Davis (2018). Light in the darkness: New perspective on lanternfish relationships and classification using genomic and morphological data. In Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

PDF DOI

Thilina N.De Silva, A. Townsend Peterson, John M.Bates, Sumudu W.Fernando, Matthew G. Girard (2017). Phylogenetic relationships of weaverbirds (Aves: Ploceidae): A first robust phylogeny based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers. In Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

PDF DOI

W. Leo Smith, Jennifer H. Stern, Matthew G. Girard, Matthew P. Davis (2016). Evolution of Venomous Cartilaginous and Ray-Finned Fishes. In Integrative and Comparative Biology.

PDF DOI

Teaching and Mentorship

I strive to provide an engaging and innovative learning experience for all students. My skills as an educator have been honed in numerous settings, from large lecture halls, to smaller laboratories, to experiential field trips, and to individualized undergraduate research experiences. Each of these settings, along with the variety of course materials I have been responsible for, have shown me the value of using innovative techniques to breakthrough the barrier between instructor and student, to invite the students to participate in learning, and to not only help my students improve their knowledge, but also to improve my own skills as an educator. I look forward to interacting with, teaching, and learning from each student in my next class. Please feel free to contact me for more details.

Field Work and Collections

I have been fortunate to conduct surveys around the world to observe and catch fishes. Some survey sites include:

Southern Florida - marine and estuarine surveys - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
San Diego Trough and coastal California - midwater and benthic marine surveys - 2016
Taiwan - midwater and deepwater marine surveys - 2014
Illinois tributaries and creeks - freshwater surveys - 2012, 2013

I am also an avid angler and SCUBA diver, which has taken me to the freshwaters of the U.S. Great Lakes and saltwaters surrounding Australia and the Caribbean to search for fishes.

A majority of the specimens I have played a role in collecting are housed in the Ichthyology Collection at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum.

Check out some of the photos below which were taken during recent fish-related travels.

Collecting fishes in Taiwan

Two Sharptail mola, Masturus lanceolatus, in a market

Diving in the Caribbean

Hello from below⁩

Collecting fishes in Taiwan

The coast of Hengchun Township

Collecting fishes of the San Diego Trough

Our vessel for the trip, R/V Robert Gordon Sproul⁩

Collecting fishes in Taiwan

Picking through fishes in Donggang Township⁩

Diving in the Caribbean

Honeycomb Cowfish, Acanthostracion polygonius ⁩

Collecting fishes of the San Diego Trough

Sunset over the Pacific⁩

Diving in the Caribbean

Juvenile Queen Angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris ⁩

Collecting fishes of the San Diego Trough

The take from a trawl⁩

Diving in the Caribbean

Hiding Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentata, at night⁩

Photography

I truly enjoy taking photographs and trying a variety of imaging techniques to capture the best image I can. These images of cleared-and-double-stained specimens are some of my favorites. Images on a white background were taken under white or natural light and show the stained bones and cartilage of the specimens. Images on a black background were taken under royal blue light and show the autofluorescence of the red stain, as discussed by Smith et al. (2018). I have had the honor of my photos being featured by Nature as one of the best science images of the year in 2018, by National Geographic, and by the Bruce Museum in their exhibit Under the Skin (February 1–July 19, 2020). Please feel free to reach out to me about my methodology or any of my images.

Contact

Biodiversity Institute 1345 Jayhawk Blvd. Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
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