Find Academic Supervisors

Jonathan W. ArmbrusterView profile

Professor

• Ichthyology
• Systematics
• Phylogenetics
• +8 more

Jonathan W. Armbruster is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University, where he also serves as Director of the Auburn University Museum of Natural History and Curator of Fishes. His work bridges research, curation, and education in ichthyology and evolutionary biology. Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1997 B.S., University of Illinois, 1991 Dr. Armbruster's research centers on the systematics, phylogenetics, and evolutionary ecology of freshwater fishes, particularly minnows (Cypriniformes) and armored catfishes (Loricariidae). He investigates evolutionary patterns such as miniaturization, cave adaptation, and morphological diversification. His lab leads major taxonomic initiatives like the All Catfish and All Cypriniformes Species Inventories, involving global fieldwork and specimen collection. His recent publications reflect a strong focus on fish phylogeny, taxonomy, and biogeography, with work spanning Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. Themes include molecular systematics, morphological adaptation, and historical biogeography of Neotropical fishes. Scientific Awards: Alumni Professor (2007–2011) Dr. Armbruster mentors students through the Armbruster Ichthyology Lab and has advised numerous research projects in fish systematics and ecology. His lab maintains the Auburn University Museum Fish Collection, housing over 86,500 jars and nearly a million specimens, which supports global research. He has secured funding for extensive fieldwork and collaborative studies, contributing significantly to ichthyological knowledge. The Armbruster Ichthyology Lab is an active research group focused on taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary morphology of fishes. It supports graduate and undergraduate research and plays a central role in international fish biodiversity projects.

Patricia HernandezView profile

Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Ichthyology
• +3 more

Patricia Hernandez is a Professor of Biology in the Department of Biological Sciences at George Washington University's Columbian College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on functional morphology, developmental mechanisms, and evolutionary biology of vertebrates, with a particular emphasis on fish anatomy and craniofacial development using zebrafish as a model system. Her work investigates Hedgehog signaling pathways, thyroid hormone effects on skeletal structures, and the evolution of feeding mechanisms in cypriniforms and otophysans. Research Interests: Developmental mechanisms in vertebrate head formation Hedgehog pathway regulation of cartilage differentiation Cranial muscle fiber type specialization Evolutionary origins of epibranchial organs Morphological diversity in fish skulls Adaptive radiation of otophysi Publications Highlight: Recent studies analyze novel feeding mechanisms in mormyrids and gonorynchiformes, epibranchial organ evolution, and thyroid hormone's role in zebrafish skeletal development. Over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2011 explore functional morphology, biomechanics, and evolutionary patterns in bony fishes. Lab & Collaborations: Directs a lab examining cypriniform trophic innovations, advising doctoral student Nathan Bird on Weberian apparatus evolution. Collaborates on XROMM studies of catfish feeding kinematics and phylogenomic analyses of serrasalmid fishes.

Donald ButhView profile

Professor

• Systematics
• Evolution
• Ichthyology
• +3 more

Donald Buth is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with his office located in LS 1335, Los Angeles, CA 90095. He can be contacted via phone at (310) 206-6084 or email dbuth@ucla.edu. His research interests encompass: Systematics and evolution of reptiles and fishes (cypriniform, gasterosteiform, perciform) Phylogenetic relationships at alpha (species limits), beta (interspecific), and gamma (intraspecific) levels Use of allozyme and morphometric/meristic data for cladistic analyses Development of enzymatic technology and phylogenetic treatment of electrophoretic data He maintains a laboratory equipped for osteological and karyological studies, conducts cladistic analyses using both PC and mainframe systems, and advises students on fish systematics with emphasis on North American ichthyofauna including cypriniform, scorpaeniform, perciform, and elasmobranch fishes.

Katie StaabView profile

Associate Professor

• Functional Morphology
• Evolutionary Physiology
• Fish Biology
• +2 more

Katie Staab is an Associate Professor of Biology at McDaniel College, where she teaches animal anatomy and physiology with emphasis on dissection skills and MCAT-based conceptual frameworks. Her research explores fish functional morphology, connective tissue evolution, and evidence-based anatomy pedagogy. Education: Ph.D., The George Washington University, 2011 B.S. in Biology, Mount Saint Mary's College, 2003 Dr. Staab's research integrates functional morphology , evolutionary physiology , and conservation biology through studies of fish suction feeding mechanics and connective tissue systems. Her pedagogical work develops fabrication-based tools to enhance anatomy education inclusivity and student motivation, reflecting her commitment to evidence-based teaching practices. Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on biomechanical adaptations in fish feeding systems, particularly convergent evolution of jaw protrusion mechanisms. Recent work bridges biological research with educational innovation, demonstrating how anatomical principles translate across species and teaching methodologies. Awards and Honors: Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award (2018) McDaniel College Faculty Grant Award (2018) Inaugural Charles A. Boehlke Jr. Engaged Faculty Fellow (2017) Dr. Staab mentors Capstone researchers who present at national conferences and advises the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. As Chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and co-founder of McDaniel's faculty writing support group, she integrates research ethics with scholarly development. Her grant work includes curriculum innovation projects funded through college awards. Her research lab employs high-speed videography, histological analysis, and comparative dissection to investigate functional units in fish morphology, providing students with pathology-lab-level technical training.

Phillip HarrisView profile

Researcher

• Ichthyology
• Fish Systematics
• Phylogenetics
• +3 more

Dr. Phillip Harris is the Faculty Curator of Ichthyology at The University of Alabama Museums. He specializes in fish systematics, phylogenetics, and conservation genetics, with a focus on freshwater and marine fishes. His work integrates biodiversity collections, molecular data, and environmental informatics to study evolutionary patterns and ecological dynamics. Harris leads efforts to preserve genetic resources and manage museum collections, such as the University of Alabama Ichthyological Collection. His research interests include fish taxonomy, phylogeny of Cypriniformes, conservation genetics of endangered species, and the historical biogeography of freshwater systems. He has conducted studies across North America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, addressing topics like species discovery, cryptic diversity, and the impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystems. Harris has secured grants for projects such as the emergency rescue of genetic resources from Saint Louis University’s collection and the consolidation of Alabama’s fish collections. His contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed articles, spanning disciplines from molecular systematics to environmental policy. He holds a Ph.D. in Zoology and has advised multiple collaborative initiatives on biodiversity preservation. His work emphasizes the role of museum collections in long-term ecological research and conservation planning.

Kevin W. ConwayView profile

Associate Professor

• Ichthyology
• Fish Taxonomy
• Comparative Anatomy
• +2 more

Dr. Kevin W. Conway is Associate Professor and Curator of Fishes at Texas A&M University, specializing in fish taxonomy, phylogenetics, and comparative anatomy. His research has documented 43 new fish species across 6 novel genera through extensive fieldwork spanning five continents. Research integrates morphological analysis, molecular phylogenetics, and biogeographic patterns to study ray-finned fish evolution. Current projects examine pectoral spine development in catfishes, clingfish systematics, and environmental impacts on stream fish communities. The lab manages extensive ichthyological collections at Texas A&M Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections. Recent publications address heterochrony in catfish morphology, genomic diversity in North American shiners, and biogeographic patterns in pufferfishes. Field studies document aquatic microplastic accumulation and freshwater mussel translocation impacts.

• Ichthyology
• Invasive Species Ecology
• Aquatic Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Alexander Cerwenka is a researcher at the Zoological State Collection Munich (ZSM) within the Bavarian State Natural Science Collections (SNSB). He specializes in ichthyology, invasive species ecology, and evolutionary genetics, with a focus on gobiid fishes and their ecological impacts. His research involves collaborations with Johannes Geist, Ulrich Schliewen, and others, examining population dynamics of invasive species like the round goby ( Neogobius melanostomus ) in the Danube River. He has contributed to studies on hybridization, dispersal patterns, and trait-environment associations. Cerwenka employs methodologies such as isotope analysis, genetic species identification, and eDNA monitoring in aquatic ecosystems. His work has been published in journals like PLoS ONE , Aquatic Invasions , and Hydrobiologia , often addressing conservation implications of invasive species.

• Phylogenetics
• Freshwater Fish Evolution
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Robert Wood is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Saint Louis University, within the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on reconstructing phylogenetic relationships among North American freshwater fishes, utilizing molecular, morphological, and allozyme data. He has expertise in darters and minnows, contributing to evolutionary biology and conservation genetics. Wood earned his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. His courses include Evolution, Honors Evolution, Principles of Phylogenetic Systematics, and Aquatic Ecology. His publications span molecular systematics of sturgeons, darters, minnows, and other freshwater fishes, emphasizing genetic analysis and phylogeography. His work often addresses conservation implications for endangered species like river sturgeons.

Nathan BirdView profile

Associate Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Vertebrate Anatomy
• Developmental Biology
• +2 more

Dr. Nathan Bird is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Northern Iowa's College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from George Washington University and a B.S. in Marine Science from Eckerd College. His research laboratory investigates the evolution and development of vertebrate skeletal systems using cypriniform fishes as models. Current projects focus on the Weberian apparatus, a specialized hearing structure, combining micro-CT reconstruction with studies of genetic regulation in zebrafish. Teaching responsibilities include Vertebrate Anatomy, Comparative Anatomy, and Developmental Biology courses.

Callie CrawfordView profile

Assistant Professor

• Functional Morphology
• Biomechanics of Fishes
• Chondrichthyan Anatomy
• +3 more

Callie Crawford is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Coastal Carolina University. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology-Ecology and Evolution from New Jersey Institute of Technology, alongside an M.Sc. in Marine Biology from College of Charleston and a B.S. in Marine Biology from University of Rhode Island. Her research focuses on functional morphology, biomechanics of fishes, and CT scanning technology, particularly studying locomotion in cartilaginous and bony fishes. She uses non-destructive methods like μCT and 3D modeling to explore form-function relationships in organisms, with recent work expanding to Drosophila movement. Education: Ph.D., New Jersey Institute of Technology (Biology- Ecology and Evolution) M.Sc., College of Charleston (Marine Biology) B.S., University of Rhode Island (Marine Biology) Research interests include fish morphology, biomechanics, and evolutionary adaptations. Her work bridges anatomy and behavior, analyzing how morphological traits enable locomotion and ecological niches. Recent studies highlight innovations in armor drag reduction, remora adhesion mechanics, and guppy diversification in river ecosystems. Professional affiliations include the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology and the International Women in Biomechanics. She teaches Vertebrate Zoology and Biological Sciences II at Coastal Carolina University. Her lab explores locomotor evolution and functional morphology, with a focus on bioinspired robotics models to understand terrestrial locomotion transitions. Collaborations aim to apply findings to engineering and conservation.

Tanja Schulz-MirbachView profile

Researcher

• Fish Bioacoustics
• Functional Morphology
• Teleost Hearing
• +4 more

Dr. Tanja Schulz-Mirbach is an Associate Scientist at LMU Munich's Department Biology II, specializing in Fish Bioacoustics. Her research focuses on functional morphology in teleost fish ears, particularly the structural-functional relationships between otoliths and hearing abilities. She employs advanced imaging techniques like micro-CT, synchrotron radiation, and confocal microscopy. Her work bridges biology and paleontology, studying otolith evolution and their fossilization processes. Education: PhD in Palaeontology and Geobiology (LMU Munich, 2008), Diploma in Biology (2003), and studies in Human Genetics and Anthropology. She has held postdoctoral positions at LMU Munich and the University of Vienna. Research interests include otolith motion dynamics, environmental influences on brain morphology, and evolutionary adaptations in fish auditory systems. Key projects involve 4D visualization of otolith motion and modeling otolith dynamics in collaboration with UC San Diego. Awards include DAAD Postdoctoral Fellowships and grants from the Bavarian Equality Promotion. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to books on fish hearing and sensory organs. Her work integrates experimental biology with paleontological methods, addressing how otolith morphology reflects evolutionary and ecological pressures. She leads projects valued over €300,000, including studies on otolith evolution and fish auditory system adaptations.

Kevin TangView profile

Professor

• Ichthyology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Phylogenetics
• +7 more

Kevin Tang is a Professor of Biology in the College of Innovation and Technology at the University of Michigan-Flint. He has been a faculty member since 2011, advancing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor in 2017 and subsequently to Professor. His academic journey includes postdoctoral research at the American Museum of Natural History, Loyola University Chicago, and Saint Louis University. Education: Ph.D. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, 2002 B.A. in Biological Sciences, Cornell University, 1995 Dr. Tang's research focuses on ichthyology, evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, systematics, and taxonomy, particularly on teleost fishes such as cyprinids, damselfishes, moray eels, and rabbitfishes. His work integrates molecular and morphological data to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and revise fish classifications. His scholarly output includes over 15 major publications, primarily in journals like Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution , Zootaxa , and Systematic Biology . His research reveals consistent themes in fish phylogeny, with an emphasis on resolving taxonomic chaos in Cypriniformes and advancing the 'Cypriniformes Tree of Life' initiative through large-scale molecular datasets. Dr. Tang has actively contributed to the scientific community through conference presentations, peer review, and editorial work. He teaches courses in Cell Biology, Fish Biology, Genetics, and Organismal Biology, and mentors students in research. He has advised multiple graduate students and collaborators on phylogenetic projects, though specific student names are not listed in the provided text. He is involved in collaborative research networks and has contributed to international efforts in fish systematics. His laboratory work involves molecular sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and taxonomic revisions, often in collaboration with institutions like the American Museum of Natural History and various universities.

Juan LiuView profile

Adjunct Assistant Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Vertebrate Paleontology
• Functional Morphology
• +3 more

Juan Liu is an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, affiliated with the Department of Integrative Biology. Her research focuses on evolutionary biology, vertebrate paleontology, and functional morphology, particularly in fish biology and the auditory systems of vertebrates. She leads a lab conducting fieldwork for vertebrate fossils and employs CT scanning, geometric morphometrics, and finite element analysis to study fish anatomy and sound transmission mechanisms. Research interests include the phylogeny of fossil fish, functional anatomy of vertebrates, and pathological changes in fish auditory systems using zebrafish models. Her work bridges descriptive anatomy, biomechanics, and evolutionary mechanisms, aiming to understand both proximate (physiological/biomechanical) and ultimate (evolutionary) factors in vertebrate auditory systems. Recent studies highlight CT-based 3D modeling of zebrafish hearing systems and taxonomic revisions of Eocene/Oligocene fish fossils. Field projects have explored the Beibu Gulf’s Paleogene ichthyofauna and Oligocene-Miocene lakes in the India-Asia collision zone. Her lab’s webpage (https://ib.berkeley.edu/labs/liu/) provides further details on ongoing projects and collaborations.

• Hydrobiology
• Genetics
• Fish Cytogenetics
• +2 more

Muradiye Karasu Ayata is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University since 2021. She holds a PhD in Biology (2015) and MSc in Biology (2009) from Gazi University, and a BSc in Biology (2007) from Gazi University's Çorum Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Her academic career includes positions at Ahi Evran University (2009-2017) and Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (2017-present). Current roles include Deputy Dean (2025-), Unit Quality Coordinator Assistant (2025-), and multiple committee leadership positions Previously served as Department Chair (2021-2021), Bologna Process Coordinator (2017-2021), and Erasmus Exchange Program Coordinator (2013-2017) Her research focuses on Hydrobiology and Genetics , particularly in: Fish cytogenetics and karyotyping Chromosomal banding patterns (CMA3, DAPI, AgNOR) Environmental impact on aquatic organisms Nutritional studies in health sciences Medical genetics education Ecological footprint analysis in academia Recent publications reveal trends in Turkish endemic fish genetics and health science education research . She's extensively studied chromosomal characteristics of Anatolian Cyprinidae and Nemacheilidae species, while also investigating maternal nutrition knowledge and institutional environmental awareness. Scientific awards include: TÜBİTAK Domestic Master's Scholarship (2008) TÜBİTAK Domestic PhD Scholarship (2009) TÜBİTAK Scientific Publications Incentive Award (2011) She serves on editorial boards for Biologia (2013) and Caryologia (2016), and has collaborated with researchers from Gazi University, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, and international institutions on projects related to fish genetics, health sciences, and environmental impact studies.