My research focuses on the ecology, evolution and conservation of animal species with a focus on amphibians and reptiles. Most of my research uses molecular tools. Several of my research projects are in collaboration with Melanie Culver, Adrian Quijada-Mascareñas, and Philip Rosen. I teach Desert Ecology and Conservation Biology in Namibia (RNR 495A/595A), a SNR and Study Abroad field program in Namibia. I also supervise and mentor numerous students in independent study, independent research, and honors thesis.

Four areas of research are being pursued in my laboratory: higher brain centers for learning and memory; development of learning and memory neuropils; brain evolution and arthropod phylogeny; and functional organization in visual systems. We also administer, with international collaborators in Japan and Germany, the NSF-supported Drosophila nervous system database FLYBRAIN.

My primary research interest is in the study of of insect-parasitic and pathogenic nematodes and their role in ecosystem function. I am actively engaged in biotic survey and inventory projects in different geographic regions of the world, which allow me to make significant contributions toward the discovery of new species, the understanding of the ecology and behavior of insect-parasitic nematodes and their consideration in biological control and integrated pest management programs. Additionally, I am interested in studying the ecology and genetics of nematode populations from agricultural and natural ecosystems, particularly the study of host-parasite relationships and interactions (including plant and insect-parasitic nematodes), such as phoresis, facultative, obligate parasitism, and pathogenesis. A new research area in my program focuses on the study of Steinernema nematodes and their bacterial symbionts (Xenorahbdus spp.) as models for understanding mutualistic interactions between animals and microbes. Current research relates to the study of structural and developmental features of the bacterial receptacle in the nematode hosts to better understand the colonization process. I am also interested in recognizing the chemical signals and physical interactions that occur between the nematode and their symbionts and how these interactions might affect each organism. Furthermore, I also investigate evolutionary histories of both nematode and bacterial symbionts considering a multigene repertoire and study co-evolutionary histories and diversification of these two partners. I have had and currently have collaborations with colleagues from various countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada, England, Switzerland, South Africa, Egypt, China, Korea, and Thailand. I received my B.S. (1985) in Zoology from University of La Plata, Argentina. I received my Ph.D. (1992) in Natural Sciences (Parasitology) from the National University of La Plata, Argentina.