My current research includes several broad areas in ecology and evolution. I have active projects in population biology (spotted salamanders), physiological ecology and life history variation (fence lizards), and evolutionary biology/bio-inspired design (geckos). The thread which has always tied these seemingly disparate activities together is a firm foundation in evolutionary theory and analysis. Although I am active (publishing papers, seeking funding and mentoring students) in all of the areas mentioned above, I am focusing much of my energy on new work with geckos, in collaboration with a colleague in Polymer Science (Ali Dhinojwala). Dr. Dhinojwala’s lab was one of the first to produce a synthetic version of the gecko adhesive system with performance capabilities equaling or exceeding natural toepads. My collaboration with Ali is one of many examples of faculty collaborations within our new Integrated Bioscience PhD program.