Caving for bats, Mount Morungole, Acholi District, Uganda William Daniels, National Geographic
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I am an Assistant Project Scientist in the Center for Microbiome Innovation and Department of Pediatrics at UCSD School of Medicine, with joint appointments in the labs of Rob Knight and Jack Gilbert. My research explores eco-evolutionary dynamics between microbial symbionts, parasites, pathogens, and wildlife and human hosts. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago (AB '09) in the Biological Sciences, and my graduate studies at Cornell University (Ph.D '16) in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
I believe strongly in the value of scientific collections, and work to promote the curation, growth, and utilization of museum collections around the world. A top priority in my work is engaging local collaborators in sampling for (1) the establishment of baseline measures of vertebrate and symbiont diversity and (2) preservation of specimens for future questions.
When not playing with data, I like to climb, hunt, catch birds, make ink, and go on adventures with my serval hybrid, Pangur.
I believe strongly in the value of scientific collections, and work to promote the curation, growth, and utilization of museum collections around the world. A top priority in my work is engaging local collaborators in sampling for (1) the establishment of baseline measures of vertebrate and symbiont diversity and (2) preservation of specimens for future questions.
When not playing with data, I like to climb, hunt, catch birds, make ink, and go on adventures with my serval hybrid, Pangur.
Specimen Prep & Taxidermy
Accipiter cooperii, Cooper's Hawk
I am grateful for the guidance, support, and friendship of Tom Gnoske, chief preparator at the Field Museum of Natural History. Tom has taught me many things, including (and certainly not limited to) the art of specimen preparation, field work logistics, and how to make a mean local hooch cocktail. He also gave me the chance to try my hand at taxidermy, which I see as a unique blend of science and art (and a welcome break from computers and pipettes).
Check out Bird Collections at the Field Museum of Natural History and Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates
Check out Bird Collections at the Field Museum of Natural History and Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates
A lousy honor...
Cotingacola lutzae, ex. Laniocera hypopyrra (Cinereous Mourner)
Thanks to my collaborator, Jason Weckstein, for naming this gorgeous animal after me. Jason studies the coevolution of birds and lice, among other things, and is currently leading a project with John Bates (Field Museum of Natural History) and Alexandre Aleixo (Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi) to study Amazonian bird and parasite diversity. You can read more about their expeditions here!
Valim & Weckstein 2012
Valim & Weckstein 2012