My main research interests are behavioural ecology, evolution and ornithology, with a particular emphasis on the year-round ecology of migratory birds and the evolution of ornamental traits. 

I received my B.Sc. from Willamette University, M.Sc. from Villanova University, and Ph.D. from Queen’s University, during which time I conducted a pre-doctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution, followed by a post-doc at Trent University and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 

I began as an Assistant Professor at Thompson Rivers University in 2010 and became an Associate Professor in 2015 and Professor in 2021. I teach Animal Behaviour, Evolution, Reading and Writing Great Biology, and Principles of Biology. 

I have served the Society of Canadian Ornithologist as Treasurer, President, and am currently Past-President; I previously served as Member of Council for the Association of Field Ornithologists, am an Elected Member of the American Ornithological Society, and I am an Associate Editor for Behaviour and the Journal of Field Ornithology. I was an Erskine Fellow (visiting professor) at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ in 2018 and 2025.