I am a PhD candidate at the University of Florida in the Department of Biology.  Under the advisement of Dr. Doug Levey, I study the evolution of plant defense traits. Particularly, how physical defense traits may be more effective under high herbivore density, than in low herbivore density ecosystems.  This will both lead to a better understanding of how plants may adapt to increased herbivore densities under climate change, and how to use natural plant defense mechanisms to replace or augment current pest management strategies.