Snapshot: Sarah Knutie in the Galapagos Islands

The ecology and evolutionary biology professor is conducting research on how bird species in the Galapagos are responding to new parasites.

Sarah Knutie’s research takes her to the Galapagos Islands, where she studies the effects parasitic nest flies are having on Darwin’s finch populations. (Sarah Knutie/UConn Photo)

Sarah Knutie’s research takes her to the Galapagos Islands, where she studies the effects parasitic nest flies are having on Darwin’s finch populations. (Sarah Knutie/UConn Photo)

Sarah Knutie, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, recently traveled to the Galapagos Islands, where she frequently conducts research. Her lab studies both fundamental and applied ideas in disease ecology and evolution, specifically how and when animals defend themselves against parasites, especially in response to environmental change. Parasites introduced to the islands are threatening many endemic bird species.