In general, my research is concerned with examining the evolutionary relationships of teleostean fishes and exploring molecular and morphological evolution within a phylogenetic framework. Of specific interest are fishes that inhabit the deep sea, as the extreme habitats of this enviornment have produced fascinating evolutionary events among the 2000 species of marine fishes that have invaded this realm (e.g., telescopic eyes, bioluminesence, and hermaphroditism). My ongoing work in this area is focused on further exploring evolutionary relationships among Lizardfishes and their allies, mechanisms of speciation in Lanternfishes (the most speciose group of mesopelagic - bathypelagic fishes), and the evolution of reproductive morphologies and strategies in the deep sea.