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Members of the Munshi-South lab at Fordham University’s Louis Calder Center are dedicated to understanding the behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary impacts of large-scale human disturbance on wild vertebrate populations. Current lab projects are primarily focused on understanding the evolutionary implications of urbanization for wildlife and pest species in the New York City metropolitan area. We study urban populations as model systems of rapid microevolution, but also aim to provide data for urban conservation, restoration, and public health efforts. To this end we collaborate with local government agencies and non-profits. See the lab Research and Publications pages for more information on current and past projects. The news articles, interviews and presentations below give a brief, non-technical introduction.

Zimmer, C. 27 October 2016. “How the Brown Rat Conquered New York City (and Every Other One, Too)”. The New York Times, page A18.

Bradley, Ryan. 23 April 2015. “The Rat Paths of New York“. The New York Times Magazine, page MM36.

Jabr, F. 07 January 2015. “Urban Ecologists Are Studying How Wildlife Have Evolved to Fit Their City Environment, Block by Block“. New York Daily Intelligencer.

Zimmer, C. 25 July 2011. “Evolution Right Under Our Noses“. The New York Times, page D1.