My research is focused on understanding the origin of biological diversity. My research attempts to bridge the micro- and macroevolutionary scales and apply process-based models to understanding and explanation of large-scale patterns. To address this long-term goal, I current study highly diversified groups of mammals at a range of hierarchical levels. The two groups I now work with are the highly diverse murid rodents, especially the South American sigmodontine mice (>300 species), and the squirrel family. The techniques include phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence and morphological data, comparative analyses of multivariate patterns of covariation, developing the comparative tools to test these multivariate patterns, analysis of geographic variation, and alpha-level systematics of living and fossil material. Go to my Home Page link above for more information.

I welcome students working in any of the general fields described above. Because my research is question generated and not taxon based, students need not work on the same groups of animals that form the core of my current research.