Biological Sciences
Dr. Maarten Vonhof
Assistant Professor
E-mail: maarten.vonhofatwmich.edu
Office: 3431 Wood Hall
Lab: 3458 Haenicke Hall
Office Phone: 269-387-5626
Lab phone: 269-387-5646
Research Description
Area of Research: Evolutionary Ecology
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences with a joint appointment in Environmental Studies. My main research interest is why there are so many species of organisms on our planet, and why certain groups have greater numbers of species than others. My research focuses on the environmental and biological (social, morphological, physiological, and life history) factors that influence the development of genetic structure in natural populations of bats and their parasites. Within this broad framework I pursue studies in four broad areas: (1) environmental effects on social behavior and population genetic structure; (2) the ecology and genetics of host-parasite and host-disease systems; (3) comparative population genetic structure and phylogeography; and (4) phylogenetic analyses of species-level relationships within selected groups. My research combines field studies on animal behavior and ecology, and laboratory approaches using molecular markers such as microsatellites and DNA sequences.
Students in Dr. Vonhof's laboratory
Michael Buchalski - Ph.D. Degree program
Mary Adams - Ph.D. Degree program