Nancy L. Staub

I am an organismal biologist interested specifically in salamander evolutionary biology. I study the evolution of sexual dimorphism and monomorphism in various salamander clades. I have several projects focused on understanding how skin glands are used in communication (which ones, of the many in amphibian skin, produce pheromones?). Some species have evolutionarily “lost” the traditional courtship gland found in males; we are investigating other glands which could be used during courtship and hypothesize that these species perhaps never evolved the more traditional courtship gland.  Students learn histological techniques (dissecting tissue, preparing tissue for staining on microscope slides, staining slides) and work with microscopes in my lab. Some projects use antibodies (immunohistochemistry) to identify specific proteins in tissue.  If you are interested in working in my lab, please schedule a time to chat. I’m always looking for bright and motivated students to work in my lab.