The Hellmann Lab at University of Dayton
The Hellmann Lab at University of Dayton
Exploring the underlying mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity
A major challenge in biology is to understand the causes and consequences of variation among individuals in their behavior, morphology, and physiology (i.e. their phenotype). It is becoming clear that past and current environmental influences (e.g. predation risk, density of conspecifics) can cause even genetically identical individuals to appear and behave in markedly different ways. I am an integrative biologist who uses fish as a model system to understand how plasticity, both within and across generations, drives phenotypic change in response to variation in the social and ecological environment. To answer these questions, I work at the intersection of behavior, evolution, and ecology using field and laboratory experiments, molecular tools, and physiological manipulations.
We are committed to creating a welcoming lab environment that promotes equality and inclusion for everyone regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other forms of both visible and less visible diversity. Support for marginalized communities cannot be separated from the practice of science. We must actively work to recognize the obstacles that scientists (and potential scientists) from marginalized communities face, and dismantle structures of power that prevent them from succeeding. We must also consider the effects of our research and research choices on marginalized communities. Adapted from https://sammykatta.com/diversity, with stickleback by Miles Bensky
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