I am interested in population genetics and evolutionary ecology, and the mechanisms of species divergence. I am studying the role and importance of host plant specialization as a barrier to gene flow in the juniper hairstreak butterfly, Mitoura gryneus. Mitoura use juniper trees (Juniperus ashei, J. virginiana, and J. pinchotii) as host plants in different regions of Texas. I will compare populations in terms of host plant preference and fitness on the preferred host, as well as genetic differentiation based on host plant use, for populations that occur together and in geographically separate areas.

 I am interested in herpetology, population and conservation biology, and phylogenetics.  My research will center on isolated populations of Mottled Rock Rattlesnakes (Crotalus lepidus lepidus) in West Texas.  I plan to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships among the isolated populations while looking at potential speciation occurring in two color morphs.  I also plan on looking at genetic variation and how it is affected by migration rates, population size, and degree of isolation.  

I will measure the degree of genetic differentiation among populations as well as between light and dark morphs of the dimorphic coastal waterbird, the Reddish Egret.  This research will determine the extent of gene flow among separated populations and the degree of assortative mating among color morphs.  Results from this research will also clarify uncertain subspecies classifications and illuminate the evolutionary significant unit to be conserved in future management plans.

Erin is interested in the study of the physiology of invasive plants and their relation to the native flora.  In the past she has looked at the allelopathic properties of the invasive, lantana camera in a dry tropical forest in southern India.  With Dr. Susan Schwinning she plans to conduct a study on the invasive grass, KR Bluestem.  The project will aim to uncover the mechanisms that cause prescribed Summer burns to be more detrimental than Winter burns on KR.  With this information a more effective management plan for removal of KR Bluestem will be developed.

My research is an examination of dispersal among patches of breeding habitat for the Black-capped Vireo, an endangered neotropical migrant species. I am developing GIS based movement and stochastic patch occupancy models in order to provide a basis for preserve design and maintenance.

My research examines fish Hg concentration along the lower Rio Grande, Texas and its tributaries in order to answer the question of whether or not Hg concentration in Rio Grande fishes exhibit spatial variation and if Hg concentration is comparable in functionally similar fishes (i.e., same trophic level). 

I am interested in the application of computer and mathematical models to answer biological questions.  My research currently focuses on modeling rate of depletion of a renewable resource as a function of group size and population density in Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti).  Upon completion, the model will further describe the foraging behavior of this and other socially bonding species, identify effective movement strategies in relation to group foraging, and quantify the efficiency of resource use and depletion by groups.

I am in the process of identifying research areas for my thesis which will enable me to contribute toward conservation in a hands on way once I graduate