Research

My research interests are focused on coevolutionary interactions, particularly host-parasite interactions.  I’m interested in the effect of dispersal (or migration) on coevolutionary interactions.  I am also interested in how the local patterns of interaction between host and parasite (e.g. local adaptation) can scale up and lead to patterns of host specificity.  My thesis research is divided into two main areas: empirical work on Potamopyrgus antipodarum and theory work on the evolution of migration. (read more)

Research Blog

A blog based on the papers and discussions of the Coevolvers (a Palouse Coevolution Discussion Group). We meet weekly to discuss papers and current research in coevolution. We are interested in both empirical research and theory work. The group of regular attendees includes faculty, post-docs, and graduate students from Washington State University and the University of Idaho. After most week's discussion, I make a short post describing some of the topics that came up regarding the details of the paper.

Most recent funding updates

• FUNDED: My NSF DDIG proposal (Dissertation Research: Local Adaptation and Diversification in Parasites) was funded.
• FELLOWHSIP: I was accepted into the IGERT Program in Evolutionary Modeling (IPEM).  This is a joint training program between Washington State University and University of Washington.  It also incorporates both Biology and Anthropology departments in addressing "Model-based Approaches to Biological and Cultural Evolution."

Most recent publications

• Gomulkiewicz R, Drown DM, Dybdahl MF, Godsoe W, Nuismer SL, Pepin KM, Ridenhour BJ, Smith CI, and Yoder JB. 2007.  Do’s and Don’ts of testing the geographic mosaic theory of coeveolution. Heredity 98: 249-258.
• Meekan MG, Vigliola L, Doherty PJ, Drown DM, Jones E, and Barber PH. 2007.  Genetic identity determines risk of post-settlement mortality in a coral reef fish.  Ecology 88: 1263-1277.

Postdoctoral future

I don't think it's ever too early to start thinking about postdoctoral positions.  I'll soon finish my degree and I know the next step is finding a new place to call home for a few years. I've recently seen some good articles that offer some great advice.

• Powell, K. 2007. Breaking with tradition. Nature 446(7132): 226-228.
• Bourne PE and Friedberg I. 2006. Ten Simple Rules for Selecting a Postdoctoral Position. PLoS Comput Biol 2(11): e121

Books on my desk

Some of these are there for reference and some I'm trying to work my way through. I think one of best semesters in graduate school has been the one where I was taking three seminars simultaneously each reading a different book (Evolutionary Theory by SH Rice, Species Invasions ed by DF Sax, JJ Stachowicz, and SD Gaines, and Speciation by JA Coyne and HA Orr). The amount I learned was surely greater than the sum of the parts. Also, I've really been enjoying many of the books in the Monographs in Population Biology series from Princeton University press.

I spent a semester going through A Biologist's Guide to Mathematical Modeling (or here) by Sarah Otto and Troy Day as part of a graduate reading group. We took our time tackling just one chapter per week and I got a tremendous amount of information out of this book. Anyone just starting out in Modeling should take a look at this excellent book.

• Future planned readings
• The Structure and Dynamics of Networks by Mark Newman, Albert-Laszlo Barabasi, and Duncan J. Watts
• Fitness Landscapes and the Origin of Species by Sergey Gavrilets
• Genetic Structure and Selection in Subdivided Populations by François Rousset
• Kept handy and recommended
• Evolutionary Ecology of Parasites by Robert Poulin
• Evolutionary Dynamics by Martin Nowak
• The Geographic Mosaic of Coevolution by John N. Thompson
• Matlab user manual by Mathworks is always a good reference