Assistant Professor - The Willink Lab is interested in understanding the the evolution of sexual dimorphism and intra-sexual diversity in insects. Our main study systems are pond damselflies, a clade where sexual conflict over mating has led to the repeated evolution of male-mimicry -- females that avoid excessive male-mating harassment through their resemblance of males. We combine phylogenetic, molecular, and behavioral approaches to understand how sexual conflict shapes the evolution of female traits, particularly their color patterns.

Research Focus: Evolution of female traits in response to sexual conflict in damselflies