Amanda Cass

Amanda Cass is a Lecturer in the Department of Biology at the University of Massachusetts, where she focuses on teaching vertebrate anatomy, genetics, and introductory biology. She has developed course-based undergraduate research experiences and previously conducted research on gene regulatory networks and morphological diversity in ray-finned fishes.

• Education: AB from Mt Holyoke College (2004), PhD in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University (2014)

Research Interests: Amanda's work explores developmental mechanisms generating morphological novelty, particularly in ray-finned fishes. She uses gene expression analysis to test hypotheses about regulatory network evolution and morphological diversity, though she now emphasizes teaching over research.

Recent Publications: Her publications span DNA barcoding methods, fin and limb evolution, and regenerative medicine. Key themes include evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), gene regulatory dynamics, and comparative anatomical studies in vertebrates.