Research in the Light lab is focused broadly in evolutionary biology with a focus on systematics, population genetics, and coevolutionary associations between distantly related organisms, particularly mammals and their parasites. In general, our research relies on field work and Museum specimens, and we use molecular and morphological data from recently collected and ancient specimens to help elucidate broad evolutionary processes operating in distantly related taxa. Please see the Projects and Publications page for more examples of ongoing research in the Light lab.

​***BLACK LIVES MATTER*** I pledge to oppose racism & hate through active allyship and continual unlearning, learning, and listening and I expect the same of my colleagues. I pledge to use my tenured position for anti-racist purposes. Please see the Anti-Discrimination Resources page for useful reading and resources. 
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News!
News Archive
August 2022
  • Frantic preparation for the new semester begins!
July 2022
  • It's been a great month+ for Jessica up in northern Michigan. Successful Field Mammalogy course full of field work and northern Michigan sunsets
  • New higher-level louse study recently published by Kevin Johnson et al. It's an interesting read and covered in a review here, where Jessica is quoted.
  • NSF proposal on mammalian sucking lice funded! I'm super excited to work with Kayce Bell, Julie Allen, Ed Stanley, and Lance Durden on this research.
  • Better late than never, but Jessica was interviewed (but not quoted) for this piece on the importance of collections.
  • Also better late than never, Jessica submitted materials for promotion to Full Professor. Fingers crossed for positive reviews up the ladder.​​
Contact the Light Lab
Texas A&M University
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
​Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics
Mailing address: 534 John Kimbrough Blvd., TAMU 2258; College Station, TX 77843
JEL Office: 268 Wildlife, Fisheries and Ecological Sciences (Building 1537). 979-458-4357
​Follow Jessica on Twitter @je_light

This website was last updated 13 August 2022
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