Robert McLaughlin
Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Biology
Interests: My research program uses the movements of animals to assess the significance of individual behaviour for the biology of populations and communities and, ultimately, biodiversity. An applied component funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has been using a large-scale, top-down approach to examine changes in the biodiversity of stream fishes caused by the presence of sea lamprey barriers, the role of restrictions on fish movement in bringing about these changes, and methods of minimizing any change (e.g. improved fish passage). A purely discovery-based research component has been using a small-scale, bottom-up approach focused on diversification in the foraging movements of brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis). It is examining whether the adaptive behaviour of individuals can facilitate population divergence in physiology, morphology, and life history and, possibly, lead to the formation of new biodiversity. In addition to these two components, I also conduct basic research on animal movement. The differences in nature, approach, and subject matter of these components creates a unique and interesting combination of research opportunities that is rich biologically and intellectually, and likely to generate a productive synergy in terms of addressing the overarching theme of my research program.