Colorado State University

I use behavioral observations and experiments to investigate the evolutionary basis for animal behavior. My research focuses on how behavioral traits depend on environmental influences within the lifetime of the individual and the evolutionary history of the population, particularly in freshwater fishes like Trinidadian guppies, smallmouth bass, and rainbow trout. My research also attempts to apply behavioral knowledge to conservation issues by studying the behavior of species of conservation concern (e.g., black-footed ferrets, Island Scrub-Jays, Arkansas darters) and by studying the effects of human disturbance, noise, and recreational activities on the behavior of wildlife (e.g., ungulates and prairie dogs).