Prof. McCormack studies bird evolution and the effects of landscape and climate change on biodiversity.
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Research Description
Dr. McCormack鈥檚 lab studies bird evolution and the role of Earth history events like mountain formation and climate change on forming the modern bird species we see around us. The lab puts special emphasis on linking data from phenotype, habitat, and genomics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary processes driving bird species formation. As the Curator of the Moore Laboratory of Zoology bird and mammal collection, Dr. McCormack is also involved in innovating new ways for historical museum specimens to inform cutting-edge questions in avian evolution.
Students learn:
- Museum techniques like measuring specimens and analyzing data
- Museum science practices on specimen and data curation
- Genomic techniques like DNA extraction and next-generation sequencing
- Genomic analysis for phylogenetics and population genetics
- 3D photogrammetry to make life-like models from museum specimens
- Spectrophotometry to measure bird plumage color
- Field skills in bird ID, mist-netting, and bird handling
Courses
Evolutionary Biology (Bio 280)
Avian Biology (Bio 360)
Museum Science (Bio 310)
Molecular Phylogenetics (Bio 326)
Student Research Opportunities
If you are interested in research in the lab, write an email to Dr. McCormack explaining your background and interest in the lab.
Select Publications
(student co-authors in bold)
Ramirez, BR, Freeland, RJ, Muhlheim, A, Zellmer, AJ, DeRaad, DA, Kirsch, EJ, Mutchler, MJ, Secor, MB, Reckling, KR, Schedl, ME and Durham, B. 2024. Convergent niche shifts of endangered parrots (genus Amazona) during successful establishment in urban southern California. Diversity and Distributions 30: e13817.
McCormack, JE, Hill, MM, DeRaad, DA, Kirsch, EJ, Reckling, KR, Mutchler, MJ, Ramirez, BR, Campbell, RM, Salter, JF, Pizarro, AK and Tsai, WL. 2023. An elevational shift facilitated the Mesoamerican diversification of Azure鈥恏ooded Jays (Cyanolyca cucullata) during the Great American Biotic Interchange. Ecology and Evolution 13: e10411.
Pizarro, AK, DeRaad, DA and McCormack, JE. 2023. Temporal stability of the hybrid zone between Calocitta magpie鈥恓ays revealed through comparison of museum specimens and iNaturalist photos. Ecology and Evolution 13: .e9863.
DeRaad, DA, Applewhite, EE, Tsai, WL, Terrill, RS, Kingston, SE, Braun, MJ and McCormack, JE. 2023. Hybrid zone or hybrid lineage: a genomic reevaluation of Sibley鈥檚 classic species conundrum in Pipilo towhees. Evolution 77(3): 852-869.