Morgan R. Muell

M.S. Zoology – Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, 2020

B.S. Biology – Iowa State University, 2018

I study biodiversity to address questions about phenotypic diversification among groups of organisms. Of all the complex levels of biodiversity, I am most fascinated by distinctive phenotypic differences among closely related organisms, and my research interests generally center on understanding drivers of trait evolution. I utilize an integration of phylogenomic, experimental, and spatial approaches to answer my research questions, typically using amphibians and reptiles as study systems. My PhD research focuses on the evolution of developmental plasticity in Anolis lizards, particularly through identifying the drivers of changes in patterns of developmental plasticity among populations and species occupying different environments.

 

I am currently a PhD Student in Biological Sciences at Auburn University, working with Dr. Dan Warner and Dr. Jamie Oaks. My previous research as a Masters student in Dr. Jason L. Brown's lab at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale focused on phylogenomics and the evolution of Müllerian mimicry in Ranitomeya poison frogs.