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 person, 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 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 Copeia. Consider joining ASIH if you love fishes, amphibians, or reptiles!

I also have a passion for photography and enjoy using different imaging techniques to showcase the morphological features and the fishes that I am working with.

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

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.