Research in the Ecology, Evolution, and Population Biology Area encompasses a diversity of topics and approaches.  Current research projects include several aspects of behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and host-parasite coevolution.  Faculty and graduate students employ field and laboratory observations and experiments, often combined with molecular techniques, to explore the ecological risks of releasing genetically modified organisms, animal vocal communication, dispersal and meta-population dynamics, energy regulation and foraging decisions, the diversity in avifaunas of tropical montane rainforests, effective disease management strategies for both plant and animal host systems, and the genetic structure of parasite populations. 
    Graduate student research reflects the diverse opportunities available. Current dissertation research investigates such topics as:

• Sperm competition in salamanders
  
• Evolution of complex vocalization in an anuran
  
• The mating system of coatis
  
• Genetic Structure of Parasite Populations
  
• Mixed species flocking in temperate birds
  
• Hormonal consequences of lynx reintroduction
  
• Beta diversity and endemism in tropical bird communities
  
• Evolution of avirulence genes in pathogenic fungi
  
• Phenotypic plasticity in aquatic insects
  
• Costs of host resistance in a snail-trematode interaction

Graduate students also utilize the expertise of faculty in other departments including Animal Science, Botany and Plant Pathology, Entomology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Sociology and Anthropology, and Statistics. In addition, Purdue's membership in the Organization for Tropical Studies provides students the opportunity to take courses or conduct research at OTS stations in Costa Rica.