Welcome to the DuVal Lab
Our research interests lie in the fields of behavioral ecology, population genetics, and in the role of sexual selection in evolutionary change. Members of the lab currently study the ways that multiple selective forces shape cooperation and competition in vertebrate groups, especially in birds.
We are particularly interested in the intersection of individual behavior and population genetics: the effect that mating systems have on local genetic patterns, the role of relatedness in interactions between individuals, and the use of genetic techniques to accurately assess breeding success in natural populations.
To date, many lab projects have used the lance-tailed manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata) as a model system. We also collaborate locally on research investigating cooperatively breeding brown-headed nuthatches (Sitta pusilla).
DuVal Lab Commitment to Community
We are committed to supporting excellence in biology by providing an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to learn and conduct research regardless of obstacles they may encounter along the way. We strive to develop a strong community within our lab to support lab members, and we also contribute to community-building within our department, university, and society in which we work. Communication with non-scientists is also a core part of our work.