Welcome to the Nabity Lab

​We broadly focus on how species interactions evolved, the mechanisms that facilitate adaptation, and how we might use this information to manage ecologically and agriculturally significant organisms. I am also interested in helping to change the discipline by recruiting and supporting underrepresented groups in STEM. 

We have two main research themes in the lab:

  • Evolution of herbivory: Here we use comparative genomics and experimental manipulation of both ecologically and agriculturally significant interactions to understand how insects evolved to feed on plants, and how these plants reciprocally respond. Check out some of our past and current work on:​ 
  • Resource tradeoffs: Here we try to understand the context that alters autotrophy (photosynthesis) when resources become limiting or shifted during the act of parasitism. We use both insects and plant parasites under natural conditions to characterize phenotypic plasticity and growth-defense tradeoffs. ​​
OPPORTUNITIES
As the lab makes its transition into our new position at the University of Melbourne we are taking this time to reset. We are not accepting any new students or research scientists. Please check back for when this posting is removed and we are ramping up again. Thank you for your interest!
an artistic interpretation of the lab's research, copyright Robert Mitchell, chemical ecologist extraordinaire.
Apple orchards in spring can be quite peaceful.
The molecular landscape of galling herbivores is complex, but what drives this phenotype and how extended is it?