T he foci of my research are the functions, mechanisms, and evolution of chemical signaling and communication systems. I conduct laboratory and field studies of chemically stimulated behavior and chemical ecology with locally abundant organisms.
Emphasis is placed upon basic and potentially practical studies.
Recent studies include the chemical ecology of crab larvae, snails, barnacles, bryozoans and hermit crabs. In applied areas, the demand for novel nonmetal-based antifouling technology fuels studies of fouling testing methodology development. M y major thrust in basic studies is in chemically-mediated behaviors of crustaceans and molluscs. My intellectual focus is the evolution of signaling systems. These studies include pheromone-mediated crustacean larval release, hormonal and metabolic control of behavior, detection of volatile navigation and movement behavior.