Name:Ben Scott
Hometown: Riverside, CA
Lab: San Diego State University’s Phylogenetics and Evolution
Lab website: https://kevinburnslab.com/lab-members/
Hobbies: Wildlife photography, backpacking, surfing, soccer, rock climbing
What do you study? I curious about understanding why organisms look how they do and how that impacts their ability to survive. My main research is in studying the evolution of color in the bird family Cardinalidae. Specifically, I study why males are very vibrant and colorful while females blend into their environment, and how habitat has influenced that color over time.
Why is it important? Evolution is the corner stone of biological interactions. Understanding the evolutionary origins behind an organism’s life history and appearance gives you a better understanding what is needed for its protection. For example, if a species has evolved in a particular habitat, loss of that habitat may have large implications for its survivability.
What piqued your interest in science? Exposure to wildlife at a young aged followed by the realization that wildlife might be lost if nothing was done. Genetics is a powerful tool that can be used to preserve the biodiversity around the world, and insure policy that will help preserve it.
What do you like about being a scientist? Being a scientist is like being a detective. It allows you to explore how things work, why they originated, and the role they play in shaping other patterns in the universe. I love using the clues of the present to understand the past Also, you get to travel the world and see some really awesome stuff.
What are 5 general vocabulary terms someone should know going into your field of science?
Natural Selection
Sexual Selection
Genetics
Biogeography
Plumage color
What are 5 specific vocabulary terms someone should know about your research?
Ultra-conserved Elements
Ancestral State Reconstruction
Remote Sensing
Tetrahedral Colorspace
Phylogenetic Generalized Least Squares models