Kathleen Webster
Ph.D. Student
Year entered program: 2021
Department: Biology
Mentor: Lisa Barrow, Ph.D.
Interests: Evolutionary BiologyKathleen Webster's research interests are herpetology, evolutionary biology, phylogenetics/genomics, systematics, conservation biology, and island biogeography. Her master's thesis research was performed in the lab of Herpetologist Frank Glaw, under the direct supervision/mentorship of Evolutionary Biologist Oliver Hawlitschek and Assistant Professor Mark Scherz. Webster investigated the molecular and morphological variation among island populations of a skink species complex native to Madagascar and Comoros Archipelago.
Through her master's research, Webster became fascinated by the unique herpetofauna of the Comoros Archipelago and has since been involved in continued research on the islands, including a description of a new snake species and re-assessments for the IUCN Red List status of Comoros native species. Kathleen continues studying the reptiles and amphibians of the Comoros Archipelago during her dissertation research at the University of New Mexico, focusing on conservation, invasion biology, and population genomics and working in close collaboration with the Museum of Southwestern Biology.
Department: Biology
Mentor: Lisa Barrow, Ph.D.
Interests: Evolutionary Biology
Bio
Through her master's research, Webster became fascinated by the unique herpetofauna of the Comoros Archipelago and has since been involved in continued research on the islands, including a description of a new snake species and re-assessments for the IUCN Red List status of Comoros native species. Kathleen continues studying the reptiles and amphibians of the Comoros Archipelago during her dissertation research at the University of New Mexico, focusing on conservation, invasion biology, and population genomics and working in close collaboration with the Museum of Southwestern Biology.
