Research
I study landscape genetics, which aims to understand how landscape features–including topography, vegetation, and climate–structure genetic variation. For my PhD I am testing the generalizability of inferences in landscape genetics using the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) as a model species to answer the following questions: (1) How consistent are landscape genetics results across space? (2) Are landscape effects on gene flow scale dependent? The results of this study will help elucidate the degree of generalizability of landscape genetics inferences, bring about greater understanding of concordance and conflict in landscape genetics studies at multiple scales, and contribute to the development of landscape genetic theory.
Email: vanw@hawaii.edu
Van’s Website
