Morgan R. Muell
PhD Biological Sciences – Auburn University, 2025
M.S. Zoology – Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, 2020
B.S. Biology – Iowa State University, 2018

I study the patterns and processes underlying phenotypic variation. I utilize an integration of phylogenomic, experimental, and spatial approaches to answer my research questions, typically using amphibians and reptiles as study systems. 

I am currently a postdoctoral researcher working with Dr. Becca Young at the University of Texas at Austin in the Department of Integrative Biology. In my postdoctoral work, I am using developmental and molecular approaches to characterize the evolution of reproductive modes and developmental plasticity across Anurans, particularly in direct-developing Coquí frogs. I obtained my PhD in Biological Sciences at Auburn University in 2025, working with Dr. Daniel A. Warner and Dr. Jamie R. Oaks. My PhD research focused on the evolution of developmental plasticity in Anolis lizards, describing how developmental plasticity evolves using evidence from a comparative perspective. 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. ​