Research

Research overview

My research aims to understand how behavioural and morphological traits have evolved in birds, and how ecological and evolutionary processes shape this diversity across species and environments. I am particularly interested in integrating comparative and synthesis-based approaches to address questions at broad spatial and evolutionary scales.

Research themes

Evolution of bird behaviour and morphology

A central theme of my research is understanding how behavioural and morphological traits have evolved in birds. I am particularly interested in how ecological and evolutionary factors interact to shape trait diversity. My PhD work focused on visual preferences and plumage pattern evolution in estrildid finches, combining behavioural experiments with comparative analyses, and shaped my broader interest in trait evolution across species.

More broadly, I aim to quantitatively examine long-standing hypotheses in behavioural ecology by integrating empirical and comparative perspectives.

Comparative and methodological frameworks

Another major component of my research involves the use of phylogenetic comparative methods to study evolutionary patterns across species. My work applies these methods to examine both discrete and continuous traits, and to characterise variation in behavioural and morphological traits.

Through collaborative and synthesis-based research, I aim to contribute to a better understanding of large-scale evolutionary patterns.

Evidence synthesis and meta-science

I am also involved in evidence synthesis and meta-science in ecology and evolution. Using systematic reviews and maps, meta-analyses, and second-order meta-analyses, I integrate results across studies. This approach allows me to identify broad evolutionary and ecological patterns that are difficult to detect from individual studies, while also highlighting sources of variation and uncertainty in the literature.

This work is motivated by an interest in cumulative and transparent science, and in developing synthesis-based approaches that can inform both evolutionary theory and empirical research practices.

Ongoing and future directions

My current work examines how climatic conditions experienced across seasons and ecological context shape large-scale evolutionary patterns in birds, with a particular focus on how ongoing climate change and other human-driven environmental changes may influence these traits. Looking ahead, I aim to integrate these comparative and synthesis-based approaches to address broader questions about evolutionary change under rapidly changing environments.