About the Ketterson Lab

Our research group currently consists of 5 graduate students, 2 post-doctoral researchers, and 1 research scientist who are all studying aspects of the biology of the dark-eyed junco, a widespread North American songbird. The junco is a classic species in the study of seasonality, speciation, and the mediation of phenotypic evolution by hormones. We are currently studying juncos both in the field - at populations in Virginia, South Dakota, California, and elsewhere - as well as captive populations here in Indiana. Read more about our field sites »

While unified by their study system and their common interest in evolutionary biology and animal behavior, members of our group pursue research interests that are quite diverse. Examples include avian pheromones, mechanisms of androgyny and the evolution of sexual dimorphism, song and speciation, the role of hormones in rapid evolution and phenotypic plasticity, immune function and differential migration, seasonal differences in gene expression, the role of hormones in phenotypic integration, fitness consequences of multiple mating by females, and neural correlates of female aggression. Read more about our research »

Ketterson Lab in the News