Research Interests
My research interests are within the field of animal bioenergetics, which is an understanding of how energy flows through living systems from ingestion of prey up through the building of an animal and its offspring. My recent work has focused on the decisions animals make while foraging, and the energetic costs and pay-offs of those decisions under both natural and 'disturbed' conditions, as a way of understanding how resilient they might be to a rapidly changing environment. Most of my work has centered around marine mammals as apex marine predators, and phocid seals in particular, although I have worked with a number of species including bottlenose dolphins, northern right whales, northern elephant seals and Weddell seals.
While I continue to study marine mammals, the subject matter of my current projects are more broadly comparative, focusing on large-scale patterns of mammalian bioenergetics. The project I am most excited about involves uncovering the patterns of maternal investment across all mammals - meaning, how much time and energy do mothers invest in their offspring during gestation (pregnancy) and lactation (nursing until weaning), and how does that differ across species? Across environments? Across body sizes?
Finally, my lab is starting a new research program directed at comparing the eco-physiological roles of terrestrial mesopredators between intact ecosystems and those from which the apex predators have been removed.
I look forward to working with students to develop independent research projects in my lab!
The coyote (Canis latrans), a mesopredator found throughout North America
(Photo: T. McElroy)
Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris)
(Photo: T. McElroy)
Current Lab Students
Arin King
Arin is a Biology major with concentrations in Marine Science and Ecology & Conservation. He is minoring in Chemistry and Applied Statistics. Outside the lab, he works as a biology tutor with the LARC and handles neurodiversity initiatives with the biology department DEI committee. His favorite animals are manatees, coelacanths, and whale sharks.
Amanda Gamboa
Amanda is a Biology major with concentrations in Marine Science and Ecology & Conservation. She is minoring in Chemistry. Out of the lab she works as a Paramedic and Emergency Medicine Educator. She loves to scuba dive and salsa dance. Her favorite ocean friends are Thresher Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Humpback Whales, and jellyfish, although she struggled to narrow it down to a few.
Former Lab Students
Will Rochon
Will recently graduated as a Biology major concentrating in Ecology and Conservation and minoring in Applied Statistics. He currently works in the field and plans to go to graduate school.
Brianna White
Brianna is a Biology major with concentrations in Marine Science and Ecology & Conservation, and she is also pursuing a minor in Digital Marketing. Brianna plans on continuing her education by attending a graduate program, focusing on marine studies. Her interests include scuba diving, hiking, and camping.
Will Zang
After earning his degree in Ecology & Conservation Biology, Will recently completed a thesis under the M.S. Biology track at West Chester University. His research explores the maternal energetics and phylogenetics of the diverse lizard family Scincidae. Will enjoys backpacking, philosophy, skateboarding and playing punk music.
Helen Madanat
Helen was an Integrative Biology major who graduated in December 2021. While working in the lab, she also worked as a medical assistant at Schweiger Dermatology in Exton, PA. Her plan was to attend a Physician Assistant program post-graduation. Her interests include travel, fitness/health, and cooking.
Chris Lara
Chris was a Chemistry-Biology major with a minor in Biology. After graduating in 2018, Chris went on to earn master’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in 2020. He now works with Frontage Laboratories in Exton, PA, where his work primarily consists of COVID-19 testing; however, he was hired to be part of a small team putting together a state-of-the-art reference laboratory for clinical trial specimen analysis. His interests include photography, videography, traveling and cheesecake.
Regan Wilson
Regan is a recent graduate of West Chester University, with a major in Biology - Ecology & Conservation and a minor in Psychology. Regan is currently continuing her education, working towards a master's degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Her interests include hiking, writing, and hoarding toys for her cat, Sage. You can follow her on Twitter (@ecoregan).