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For more information visit the lab website: www.moreaulab.org

I am interested in the origin and evolution of species, and in particular, how different factors may influence patterns of diversification.  More specifically I am interested in how we can use molecular methods and molecular systematics/phylogenetics/next-generation sequencing/genomics to address these questions.

Teasing apart the factors that have lead to the prolific diversity of the ants is an active line of research in my lab.  From the rise of the flowering plants, associations ants have with other insects and plants, to their microbial community are all potential underlying factors that may have facilitated their ecological dominance in almost all terrestrial ecosystems. 

Moreover I am also currently pursuing research focusing on understanding biogeographic patterns and historical processes that have shaped distributions of ants in the lowland tropical rainforests of Australia, within the Neotropics, and between the Nearctic and Neotropics on both the evolutionary and contemporary timescales.  Using information about current species distributions, genetic diversity, the impact of invasive ants, evolutionary history, and endosymbiotic bacterial communities I hope understand how past climate change has impacted current species and if this information can better inform us to protect biodiversity. 

Ultimately I am interested in teasing apart the evolutionary history of ants and using this information to better understand the broad-scale evolutionary patterns of life.

I also believe strongly in scientific education and outreach.  For me this spans teaching university courses to directly supervising students at all educational levels to interacting with other educational programs to working with local school children to creating and being involved in online and digital learning resources for all ages.  Engaging students at all educational levels and the public more generally is an important aspect of sharing science for me. 

Graduate students interested in joining my lab are encouraged to apply to the University of Chicago's Committee on Evolutionary Biology. There are also postdoctoral, volunteer and intern opportunities in my lab through the Field Museum of Natural History.