I am specifically interested in elucidating the controls on species’ responses to environmental change, and I do so by integrating biological data with information obtained from the fossil record. Although spiders are my true passion, I use mollusks for most of my macroecological and macroevolutionary research because of their exceptional fossil records.

     At the heart of it, I am fascinated by Earth’s biodiversity, both past and present. As a child, I would marvel at the red-eyed tree frogs, pangolins, tarsiers, fennec foxes, and jumping spiders that would peer at me from the pages of nature magazines. I am interested in studying this biodiversity because I want to understand how and why it evolved, and ultimately by doing so, I hope to better protect it for generations to come. Protecting diversity is not only vital for our economy and for maintaining our food and medicine reserves, but for preserving the sense of awe we receive from our flora and fauna—for ensuring that beauty remains in this world. I hope that my research, with a look towards the past, can inform our future—let us not make paleobiology the biology of the future.

      Aside from my research, I enjoy exploring the world, photography, hiking, running, reading, and baking.  My goal is to travel to all continents and corners of the Earth: Antarctica, here I come!