Charismatic Displays

How do eyes shape the evolution of signals?

 

Conflict & Cooperation

How do male ejaculates co-evolve with female reproductive physiology?

 

Colorful Choices

What maintains color polymorphisms?

 

Engaging Outreach

Play. Create. Learn. Connect. Build Community.

1
1

We are a team of biologists studying the evolution of sexual reproduction in insects and spiders. We love the big picture and the little details. We strive to test theory by understanding mechanism. Research themes include sexual selection, sexual conflict, co-evolutionary dynamics, and life history evolution.

Photo of Nate Morehouse

Dr. Nate Morehouse

Principal Investigator

Photo of Jenny Sung

Jenny Sung

Ph.D. Student

Photo of David Outomuro

Dr. David Outomuro

Postdoctoral Researcher

Photo of Deniz Korman

Deniz Korman

Ph.D. Student

Photo of Alexis Dodson

Alexis Dodson

MS Student

Lab group photo from Halloween 2019

Undergraduate Researchers

Photo of David Morris

David Morris

PhD Student

Photo of Sebastian Echeverri, Melissa Plakke, and Lisa Limeri on Halloween 2016

Lab Alumni

Photo of Olivia Harris

Olivia Harris

Ph.D. Student

Join the Team!

PhD and Undergrad Positions Available

Current projects in the lab are focused on color use during courtship and foraging, co-evolution between visual systems and visual signals, and evolutionary dynamics between male seminal fluid proteins and the female reproductive tract. We are also committed to supporting science education and science literacy in Cincinnati and beyond, and have a number of ongoing projects with community partners.

Digestive Physiology of the Female Reproductive Tract

Solutions to Extreme Miniaturization of Visual Systems

Control of Alignment During Dynamic Signaling

Physical Basis of Jumping Spider Color Vision