| Peter Unmack |
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Postdoctoral Fellow |
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My researched is centered on various aspects of freshwater fishes: biogeography, ecology, systematics, and conservation. Most of my current research is focused on understanding biogeographic patterns and factors that influence fish distributions. |
| Justin Bagley |
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PhD Student |
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I am a new Ph.D. student in the Johnson Lab. An Alabama native, I come to BYU having completed my M.S. in biology at the University of Alabama studying taxonomy, population genetics, and body shape variation of a complex of black basses in the southeastern United States (M. punctulatus subspecies and relatives). My research interests include systematic ichthyology, the evolutionary genetics of populations, the influence of ecology on speciation processes, geometric morphometrics, and understanding correlations between distributions and phenotype evolution using phylogenetic trees. For my Ph.D., I hope to develop a project investigating one of several groups of Mexican or Costa Rican freshwater fishes (e.g., Poecilia, Poeciliopsis, Brachyrhaphis). |
| Rachael Remington |
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Visiting PhD Student |
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The goal of my research is to investigate the ecology and evolution of turbid water adaptations in freshwater fishes. Currently, I am studying turbid water trait evolution in the genus Hybognathus using morphometrics and molecular markers. Hybognathus is an ideal group to study trait evolution since the group is monophyletic and inhabits a range of aquatic environments. I have found that fishes living in turbid environments possess traits that have recently and independently evolved, such as small eyes, small optic lobes and large olfactory lobes of the brain. Additionally, I am investigating feeding success and growth of Great Plains cyprinids (e.g., Notropis bairdi, N. stramineus and N. boops) from turbid to clear water habitats. My ecological research has been conducted in aquaria and artificial stream mesocosms at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station. |
| Jared Lee |
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Masters Student |
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My research is focused on testing biogeographic boundaries developed from community composition data. My thesis examines whether or not boundaries between fish ecoregions in lower Central America can be predicted using single-species phylogeography. I am currently examining phylogeography of the livebearing fish Poecilia gillii to test these ideas. My general interests in biology include molecular systematics, genomics, conservation, and science education. My taxonomic leanings and experience favor work on fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. |
| Laura Scott |
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Masters Student |
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My thesis is centered on character displacement of poeciliid fish from Mexico. The study focuses on three attributes to better understand this phenomenon: morphology, life history strategies, and behavior. Additionally, I work with the Patagonia biology field studies program to provide opportunities for students to participate in international research. After completing my master's degree, I plan to teach high school biology. |
