current Research
I am a biologist interested in the evolution of the fascinating diversity of animal behaviours that we see in nature. How does social, life-history and environmental factors shape the evolution of a mesmerizing range of sexual signals, extended phenotypes, and collective movements that we observe across animal species? To address such a complex question, I use key study species and combine theoretical and empirical approaches. I harvest my data from all available sources, such as online databases, museum collections, and global collaborations to perform macroevolutionary research. I also design experimental research to test and propose theories for the adaptive meaning and evolution of behaviours.
I am now a postdoctoral researcher at the Genes and Behavior lab working with collective behaviour in nematodes. Currently, I am developing a project to understand the adaptive meaning of exceptional although poorly explored 3D collective phenomena.
COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOUR
Some animals finely coordinate behaviours in large aggregations. A notable example of this is the aggregations formed during swarming movement and towering in roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans). We manipulate the social contexts and the genetic makeup of these animals to unveil the adaptive meaning, and the core mechanisms and conditions that lead to complex collective group decisions.
CURRENT COLLABORATION: SERENA DING, YOUNJAE KANG, NARCIS FONT MASSOT, NAZLI HASSANPOUR, EMMA RUSCONI CLERICI
Aggregation of C. elegans worms expressing GFP
White-winged chough sitting in its mud nest. Photo credit: Damien Esquerré
THE EVOLUTION OF EXTENDED PHENOTYPES
Bird nests can show an incredible diversity of shapes and materials. We are interested in investigating the factors that may be driving this diversification.
CURRENT COLLABORATION: ILIANA MEDINA, JANET GARDNER, LILIAN MANICA
the evolution of courtship diversity
Bird species that display in Lek are under substantial pressure to attract the opposite sex. By using a macroevolutionary approach, we are investigating if under stronger sexual selection signals evolve to be more complex and repeatable.
COLLABORATIONS: RAFAEL FRATONI, LILIAN MANICA
Chiroxiphia caudata males displaying to a female Photo credit: LECO
Lovely manakins. Current research with Lilian and Rafael.