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Sharlene-Santana
My research aims to understand the mechanisms that underlie diversity in form, function, ecology, and number of species. To understand the processes that underlie phenotypic and lineage diversification, I integrate studies of morphology, function, behavior, and ecology (= ecomorphology) within an evolutionary context. My work is largely focused on bats, as they are one of the most ecologically and morphologically diverse lineages of mammals and thus offer a natural experiment to investigate patterns and mechanisms of diversification. I apply comparative, integrative and interdisciplinary approaches, involving data collection in the field from free-ranging animals, along with modern lab techniques and quantitative tools. By doing this work in a broad evolutionary context, my research is able to test hypotheses about adaptation and drivers of diversification.
2021-present: Professor, Department of Biology, University of Washington.
2012-present: Curator of Mammals, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington.
2019-2021: Fulbright Scholar, Costa Rica.
2017-2021: Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Washington.
2012-2017: Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Washington.
2011–2013: Faculty Institutes for Reforming Science Teaching Scholar.
2010-2012: Postdoctoral Fellow. Institute for Society and Genetics. University of California Los Angeles.
2005-2010: Ph.D. in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2004: Licenciatura en Biología. Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela.