I’m a third-year PhD candidate in Irby Lovette’s lab, and I use comparative and population genomic approaches to study bird evolution. Currently, I’m focusing on local adaptation across the global range of the European starling. I compare whole genomes of starling populations in their native range (Europe) with two concurrent introductions in North America and Australia. In North America alone, starlings spread from New York City to southern Alaska within only ten or so generations of starling evolution. Ultimately, I’m interested in how demographic and selective processes interact to shape evolutionary patterns.
When I’m not thinking about bird evolution, you can find me talking about community, practicing yoga, trying out a new craft and binging podcasts. I tweet at @nathofme.
