Education: 

B.Sc.  (Biology) - Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA (1990)
M.Sc.  (Marine Biology) - Nova Southeastern University  Oceanographic Center, Dania, FL  (1992)
Ph.D.  (Functional Morphology) - University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (1997)

Speciality:  

          Vertebrate Functional Morphology and Biomechanics

Research Interests:

My area of research is comparative functional organismal biology and ecomorphology. My research program integrates morphology and behavioral performance studies of vertebrates to understand organismal adaptations to their environment.   Specifically I am interested in how vertebrates detect, acquire, ingest and digest food, and how these systems affect behavioral performance and foraging ecology.  Such studies integrate several research tools including classic animal dissections, histology, electron microscopy, kinematics (motion analysis), electromyography and other electrophysiological techniques. Recent research topics investigate the feeding apparatus and foraging behavior in benthic foraging marine mammals.  Other interests include: comparative neurobiology, and the evolution and function of sensory systems.

Courses Taught:    Natural History of Vertebrates, Introductory Biology