Behavioural Ecology
Local environments can be very dynamic. I am broadly interested in how inter-individual interactions and changing environmental cues shape individual and group behaviour in population and community contexts. Recently, my research has focused on whether individual behavioural responses to such dynamic cues are adaptive. Going forward, I would like to situate these behavioural (mal/)adaptations more comprehensively in an evolutionary context.
Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics
The "ecological theater" and the "evolutionary play" are inextricably intertwined. Some of my dissertation work focused on understanding the ancestral determinants of rapid adaptation to novel environments (eco-to-evo). However, I am also interested in how contemporary evolution can impose ecological changes (evo-to-eco), for instance, via population dynamics or changes in inter-specific interactions. In particular, I am interested in behavioural adaptations that may mediate these feedbacks.
Anthropogenic Impacts on Eco-Evolutionary Processes
I am also keen to explore the impact human society has on natural ecological and evolutionary processes, e.g. through pollution, climate change, and urbanization. Insects are key links in many ecological networks. Unfortunately, since the 90s, there are consistent indications of a wide collapse of insect populations, making it critical to understand the connection between humans and nature. To this end, I am interested in asking how environmental changes mediated by human activity affect insect ecology, evolution and behaviour.
Local environments can be very dynamic. I am broadly interested in how inter-individual interactions and changing environmental cues shape individual and group behaviour in population and community contexts. Recently, my research has focused on whether individual behavioural responses to such dynamic cues are adaptive. Going forward, I would like to situate these behavioural (mal/)adaptations more comprehensively in an evolutionary context.
Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics
The "ecological theater" and the "evolutionary play" are inextricably intertwined. Some of my dissertation work focused on understanding the ancestral determinants of rapid adaptation to novel environments (eco-to-evo). However, I am also interested in how contemporary evolution can impose ecological changes (evo-to-eco), for instance, via population dynamics or changes in inter-specific interactions. In particular, I am interested in behavioural adaptations that may mediate these feedbacks.
Anthropogenic Impacts on Eco-Evolutionary Processes
I am also keen to explore the impact human society has on natural ecological and evolutionary processes, e.g. through pollution, climate change, and urbanization. Insects are key links in many ecological networks. Unfortunately, since the 90s, there are consistent indications of a wide collapse of insect populations, making it critical to understand the connection between humans and nature. To this end, I am interested in asking how environmental changes mediated by human activity affect insect ecology, evolution and behaviour.
