About me
Current position
I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta. I am affiliated with the Collaboration for Open Science and Synthesis in Ecology and Evolution (COSSEE), and collaborate with Prof. Shinichi Nakagawa on phylogenetic comparative methods, meta-analysis, and evidence synthesis.
Research background and interests
I am a behavioural ecologist with a background in evolutionary biology. My research focuses on the evolution of behavioural and morphological traits in birds, from sensory ecology to broad macroecological patterns.
Research trajectory
My academic training began at Hokkaido University, where I completed my PhD in Life Science. During my doctoral and master’s research, I investigated the evolution and function of white dot plumage patterns in estrildid finches, combining behavioural experiments with comparative analyses.
Since then, my research has gradually expanded from trait-specific questions to broader, synthesis-based approaches. Through postdoctoral and visiting researcher positions in Japan, Australia, and Canada, I have increasingly focused on phylogenetic comparative methods and meta-analytic approaches to understand how ecological and evolutionary processes shape behavioural and morphological diversity across species.
Methods and research style
My work is primarily quantitative and synthesis-oriented. I routinely use:
- Phylogenetic comparative methods
- Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
- Bayesian and frequentist hierarchical modelling in R
- Reproducible and open science workflows
I am also interested in methodological issues such as heterogeneity, robustness, and transparency in ecology and evolution.
Beyond research
Outside of research, I enjoy walking and letting my mind wander.