My primary research objective is to combine phylogenetics, molecular systematics and biogeography to drive innovative biodiversity research. Ultimately, my goal is to provide a quantitative basis for marine conservation in one of the world’s most prolific biodiversity hotspots.

I am interested in conducting this research using emerging bioinformatics tools, including multi-gene phylogenies and reconciling species trees from multiple gene trees.

Figure 1. Pattern of species richness in the coral triangle region from an overlay of 2983 species (modified from Carpenter, Springer, 2005). Each change in color or shade represents an increase or decrease in 43 species (40 classes total or a 2.5% change per class). The top 10% of species richness is in shades of red and yellow and the remaining decreasing increments of species richness are indicated by lighter shades of blue. The greatest diversity is red (1693 to 1736 species), followed by pink (1650 to 1692 species), yellow (1606 to 1649 species), and light yellow (1563 to 1605 species). Data from Carpenter and Springer (2005).

My doctoral work focused on the biogeography and conservation of Melanesian coral reef fishes. As a post-doctoral researcher, I am expanding my work to elucidate the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the “Coral Triangle” biodiversity hotspot.  The area bounded by Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines is the epicenter of marine biodiversity.  For example, Indonesia has almost an order of magnitude more coral reef fish than the Bahamas, yet the processes resulting in this prolific speciation remain undescribed. 

There are currently three major competing hypotheses concerning the origins of this diversity: the centers of overlap, accumulation and origin, each of which makes specific, and testable predictions about the age and phylogenetic affinities of peripheral species.  By combining biogeographic analyses (patterns of endemism) with molecular systematics (the phylogenetic relationships between those endemics) a data set can be generated to test each of the three hypotheses.

This project will not only help to identify what evolutionary engines underlie the tremendous biodiversity of this region, but will also examine genetic relationships between various sampling locations, providing insight into the degree of population connectivity among the various islands of the Indo-Pacific.  This analysis will help delineate the boundaries of populations and by extension allowing us to more effectively focus limited conservation resources. 

This project also offers the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of researchers including Drs. Gerry Allen (Western Australian Museum) Matt Craig (University of Puerto Rico) and Mark Erdmann (Conservation International – Indonesia) as well as continuing work with my doctoral advisors Paul Barber (UCLA)  Les Kaufman and Phil Lobel (Boston University).