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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Research Themes

I am fascinated by fishes. Whether observing them in the wild, collecting specimens for natural history collections, sequencing DNA from tissue samples, or digitally dissecting three-dimensional µCT scans, my captivation of these animals is grounded in evolutionary thinking. This overarching research question, “what are the relationships among fishes?,” guides the diverse questions I ask, integrative approaches I employ, and is reflected in the research I produce.

How do we integrate and arbitrate genotypic and phenotypic data in phylogenetics?
Evolution of archerfishes: Girard et al., 2022b Evolution of threadfin fishes: Girard et al., 2022a Evolution of carangiform fishes: Girard et al., 2020

Where do the diverse phenotypes in fishes come from and how do they work?
Novel neurocranial features in two genera of cusk-eel: Girard and Johnson, 2024 Convergent evolution and the Red Sea Rover: Girard, 2024 Morphology and evolution of the Thorny Assfishes: Girard et al., 2024b

How do we leverage museum collections and modern genomic methods to understand the biodiversity of fishes?
Discovery of a new species of redbait: Girard et al., 2024a Discovery of a new species based on larvae and adults: Girard et al., 2023b Biodiversity of Philippine marine fishes: Bemis, Girard et al., 2023

What abiotic and biotic factors led to animals being found where they are?

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.

The Ophidiidae is a group of more than 300 species of fishes characterized by elongated, snake-like bodies and continuous dorsal, anal, …
DOI

The larvae of marine fishes often differ substantially in appearance from their adult forms. While sometimes visually striking, these …
PDF DOI

Rovers, rubyfishes, and bonnetmouths (Emmelichthyidae) comprise a small family of fishes that can be distinguished from other …
PDF DOI BioOne Top & Trending Research

Teaching, Mentoring, and Belonging

I strive to make science more approachable and provide all, but especially those from under-represented groups, opportunities to pursue their individual interests. With these opportunities, my goal is to develop interests into passions and career trajectories. I have been lucky enough to play a role in the education of more than 4,000 individuals in introductory-level biology courses and advanced courses in systematics and the history and diversity of life. A few examples of my in-class teaching style can be found on YouTube. As a first-generation academic, I was lucky to have exceptional mentorship from teaching assistants and senior researchers who taught me a great deal both in and out of the classroom. The support and opportunities outside of the classroom were tremendously important for my academics and life afterwards, and I aim to provide similar experiences for students I mentor. I have been fortunate to mentor student researchers at several institutions, with multiple developing into published research articles. Please contact me if you are interested in research opportunities. Explore my CV section for up-to-date information.

Collecting from the Mid-Atlantic Bight

At sea aboard NOAAS Henry B. Bigelow ⁩

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

Blackwater Diving in Florida

Splashing in⁩

Collecting fishes of the San Diego Trough

The take from a trawl⁩

Collecting from the Mid-Atlantic Bight

Pearly razorfish, Xyrichtys novacula ⁩

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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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