Professor Emerit of Biology
Biography
My research interests are in the areas of environmental physiology and chemical ecology of tropical marine invertebrates. My students and I are currently working on the chemistry and ecological significance of toxins produced by marine flatworms. We are also investigating the chemistry and ecological significance of molecular communication in soft corals and zooanthids. The organisms we work with produce other secondary metabolites as well including un described antibiotics and neurotransmitters. The projects in my lab, thus, lead to natural collaboration with Dr. Koch, Dr. Byrd, and Dr. Coughlin and their students working in the areas of natural product chemistry, microbiology, and neuro pharmacology respectively. In addition we also collaborate with Dr. Tanner on the chemical ecology of plant animal interactions.