Current Research

Relationships among Threadfins (Polynemidae)

Current Research

Transitions across habitat types

Current Research

Evolution of the Rovers, Redbaits, and Bonnetmouths

Current Research

Larval morphology and biodiversity discovery

Current Research

Anatomical and genetic evolution of Archerfishes (Toxotidae)

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Publications

My research targets broad questions about the evolution of fishes and I use different data types, such as genotypic, phenotypic, spatial, or temporal, to inform our understanding of their biology and natural history. A few featured publications are listed here, with a more inclusive list linked above. If a PDF is not available through my site, feel free to contact me.

Archerfishes (Toxotidae) are variously found in the fresh- and brackish-water environments of Asia Pacific and are well known for their …
PDF DOI NBC News SYFY WIRE Smithsonian Magazine Popular Science ScienceShots

Threadfins (Teleostei: Polynemidae) are a group of fishes named for their elongated and threadlike pectoral-fin rays. These fishes are …
PDF DOI

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

Teaching, Mentoring, and Belonging

I strive to be an exceptional educator and have been lucky enough to play a role in the education of thousands of individuals, primarily at the University of Kansas, in introductory-level biology courses and advanced courses in systematics and the history and diversity of life. A few examples of my teaching style can be found on YouTube. Learning is more than traditional lecturing and I look to provide support and opportunities for students to succeed in their academics and life afterwards through out-of-classroom experiences. As a first-generation academic, I was lucky to have exceptional mentorship from teaching assistants and senior researchers who taught me a great deal through research experiences. I look to provide all, but especially those from under-represented groups, such as first-generation scholars, opportunities to pursue their passions. Please contact me if you are interested in research opportunities. Explore my CV section for up-to-date teaching information.

Collecting fishes in Taiwan

Two Sharptail mola, Masturus lanceolatus, in a market

Collecting from the Mid-Atlantic Bight

Measuring huge Torpedo ray

Diving in the Caribbean

Hello from below⁩

Blackwater Diving in Florida

Chatting with Anna and Ned Deloach

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 ⁩

Blackwater Diving in Florida

Splashing in⁩

Collecting fishes of the San Diego Trough

The take from a trawl⁩

Diving in the Caribbean

Hiding Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentata, at night⁩

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Photography

I feel the most creative behind the camera and trying new 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 shown by Smith et al. (2018) and in many of my publications. 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, NBC News, among other sources, and by the Bruce Museum in their exhibit Under the Skin (February 1–November 29, 2020). Feel free to reach out to me about my methodology or any of my images.

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