Through the direct and indirect impact of human induced global changes, species are being lost at an unprecedented rate. Yet our understanding of just how environmental change impacts species diversity and diversification is extremely limited. The investigation of how extant species responded to past global change (i.e., individual species and community-wide responses to the Pleistocene glacial cycles) can provide greater insight into the evolutionary mechanisms that have shaped contemporary biodiversity and shed light on how to preserve current biodiversity in the face of rapid global change.

Research efforts in the lab of Dr. Garth M. Spellman (Black Hills State University) use evolutionary genetics and genomics to reconstruct the evolutionary history of North American birds (and their parasites). Current projects in the Spellman lab include: 1) Evolutionary response to the Pleistocene glacial cycles in pine and oak woodland birds (NSF funded), 2) Evolution of avian malarial parasites in geographically structured host species, and 3) Evaluating the impact of global climate change and other human induced disturbances on the avian hybrid zones of the Great Plains.

Dr. Spellman encourages and promotes student participation in these research projects. Currently, there are 3 Master’s students and five undergraduate researchers working in the Spellman lab. Dr. Spellman is also an active advocate for diversity in the sciences and is a Co-PI on an NSF funded STEM grant to aid and advance American Indian science students at Black Hills State University.

Click Here to go to Dr. Spellman's Website