We study adaptation and speciation, with a special focus on the genetic basis of wing pattern mimicry in butterflies. Other topics of study in the lab include mate preference evolution in butterflies, monarch butterfly migration, and poison dart frog color patterning. Our work is highly integrative, spanning genomics, population genetics, molecular and developmental biology, animal behavior, and field work.
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Bauer Fellow - Systems Biology
2012University of Texas
Austin, Texas
post-doc - Evolutionary Biology
2007University of Texas
Austin, Texas
Ph.D. - Ecology, Evolution & Behavior
2004University of Miami
Miami, Florida
B.S. - Biology
1998Environmental, Developmental, and Genetic Conditions Shaping Monarch Butterfly Migration Behavior.
Environmental, Developmental, and Genetic Conditions Shaping Monarch Butterfly Migration Behavior. bioRxiv. 2025 Jan 16.
PMID: 39868297Supergene evolution via gain of autoregulation.
Supergene evolution via gain of autoregulation. bioRxiv. 2024 Dec 16.
PMID: 38260248Hidden in plain sight: (Re)definition of a key lepidopteran color patterning gene.
Hidden in plain sight: (Re)definition of a key lepidopteran color patterning gene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Dec 03; 121(49):e2419749121.
PMID: 39585997Synchrotron-source micro-x-ray computed tomography for examining butterfly eyes.
Synchrotron-source micro-x-ray computed tomography for examining butterfly eyes. Ecol Evol. 2024 Apr; 14(4):e11137.
PMID: 38571794Acute and Long-Term Consequences of Co-opted doublesex on the Development of Mimetic Butterfly Color Patterns.
Acute and Long-Term Consequences of Co-opted doublesex on the Development of Mimetic Butterfly Color Patterns. Mol Biol Evol. 2023 09 01; 40(9).
PMID: 37668300New molecular insights into butterfly pigmentation.
New molecular insights into butterfly pigmentation. Cell Rep. 2023 08 29; 42(8):112981.
PMID: 37594895Migration genetics take flight: genetic and genomic insights into monarch butterfly migration.
Migration genetics take flight: genetic and genomic insights into monarch butterfly migration. Curr Opin Insect Sci. 2023 10; 59:101079.
PMID: 37385346Divergent expression of aristaless1 and aristaless2 during embryonic appendage and pupal wing development in butterflies.
Divergent expression of aristaless1 and aristaless2 during embryonic appendage and pupal wing development in butterflies. BMC Biol. 2023 05 11; 21(1):104.
PMID: 37170114aristaless1 has a dual role in appendage formation and wing color specification during butterfly development.
aristaless1 has a dual role in appendage formation and wing color specification during butterfly development. BMC Biol. 2023 05 04; 21(1):100.
PMID: 37143075Seasonal plasticity in morphology and metabolism differs between migratory North American and resident Costa Rican monarch butterflies.
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Seasonal plasticity in morphology and metabolism differs between migratory North American and resident Costa Rican monarch butterflies. Ecol Evol. 2023 Feb; 13(2):e9796.
PMID: 36844673Biological Sciences Division Distinguished Investigator Award
University of Chicago
2016NSF CAREER Award
University of Chicago
2015Pew Biomedical Scholar
University of Chicago
2015 - 2020Neubauer Family Endowed Assistant Professorship
University of Chicago
2012 - 2017Bauer Fellows Program
Harvard University
2007 - 2012NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant
2002Summa cum laude
University of Miami
1998Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
University of Miami
1997