Research Interest
bats, feeding behavior, social structure, foraging ecology, genetics, stable isotopes, ecosystem services, conservationFaculty Advisor(s)
McCrackenDegree Pursuing
PhDResearch
My research focuses on feeding behaviors of and social interactions between members of large groups. I use Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) to study mother-pup interactions, the pups' transition to nutritional independence, and the dietary composition of juveniles and adults. These questions allow me to learn about the structure and evolution of large colonies as well as address conservation concerns using a variety of field and laboratory techniques.