Katrina D. Keith

I am originally from a small town in the Texas panhandle. I am interested in the systematic, biogeographic, and phylogenetic patterns of avian evolutionary history. For my dissertation research, I am investigating populations of birds of conservation concern in the Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion and will be assessing the functional genetic diversity in toll-like receptor (TLR) genes, as well as investigating host-parasite relationships and the patterns and prevalence of infection as it relates to TLR genes responsible for immune system recognition of these parasites. I am also very passionate about teaching students, both in the classroom and in the laboratory. I plan to continue in academia, as I hope to continue to teach and conduct research on birds.

Dissertation Topic
Functional genetic diversity and disease ecology in birds of conservation concern

Research Interests and Specializations
Birds, Avian Disease Ecology, Avian Population Genetics and Phylogenetics

Research Involvement

• Avian Malaria in Texas and Mexico
• Avian Toll-like Receptor Genetic Diversity in Neotropical Migrants
• Phylogenetics of the Eurasian Wren

Teaching Experience
WFSC 402 – Ornithology
WFSC 302 – Natural History of the Vertebrates