In Canada's winters, animals must contend with subzero temperatures. Some species migrate, others find warm microhabitats, and yet others just develop the impressive ability to either prevent or survive ice crystal growth at very low temperatures. Our lab studies the ability of boreal forest pest eastern spruce budworm as well as West Coast intertidal invertebrates to survive and thrive in subzero conditions. We work on everything from the biochemistry of ice binding proteins and the biosynthesis of cryoprotectants through to the impacts of winters on population growth and distribution.

The emergence of the mammals from morphologically disparate synapsid ancestors is one of the great macroevolutionary transitions preserved in the fossil record. The quality of the synapsid record allowed the basic steps of the transition to be recognized early. Yet, the lack of tools like modern phylogenetic comparative methods and the difficulty of preparing a diverse sample of specimens resulted in simple transitional sequences based on small numbers of exemplar taxa representing broad evolutionary grades.

Bats have diversified to specialize on a remarkable variety of diets. Among these, sugar-rich fruit and nectar diets come with unique challenges, particularly to the maintenance of blood sugar levels and energy homeostasis, with high-sugar intake leading to disease in most mammals. Importantly, frugivory and nectarivory have independently evolved at least two, and 7 times, respectively, among bats, implying independent suites of adaptations to these dietary-related challenges.

From our oceans to savannas, animals must cope with dynamic environments that are undergoing unprecedented rates of change. How do animals make decisions in the face of such environmental changes, and what are the consequences of those decisions for individuals, populations, ecological communities, and—importantly—interactions with people? Examining these linkages is important for gaining mechanistic insight into how and why animal communities will be affected by global change, and for targeting effective conservation strategies.