The Taylor Lab welcomes Dr. Jay Falk, an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow joining the lab this month. Jay studies the evolution of sex differences and similarities, and is broadly interested in how social interaction leads to biodiversity both within and across species. With hummingbirds as a model taxa, Jay uses an integrative approach to understand social selection, color polymorphism, sex diversity, behavior, and movement ecology. As an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow Jay will be studying the genetic underpinnings of sexual dimorphism. The white-necked jacobin hummingbird is polymorphic - some, but not all, females are similar to males in their plumage coloration. We will be taking advantage of this fascinating sexual diversity to understand how sexes can evolve trait differences and similarities at the genetic level.
Welcome Jay!