Rachel Aitchison
Ray enthusiast, taxonomist, and occasional artist
Welcome! I'm currently PhD Student at Simon Fraser University with Dr. Nick Dulvy. My research interests are ecology and evolution with an emphasis on understudied cartilaginous fishes (sharks, skates, and rays). I sometimes procrasti-paint to communicate science and showcase biodiversity.
Research Interests
It all started with an Invertebrate Zoology course when I was an undergraduate and only grew from there. A molecular marine biology course sparked my interest in evolution and phylogenetics, leading me to pursue a Master's.
As I fell in love with rays and dove deeper into the nitty-gritty of taxonomy, I began to ask questions about form and function.
Now, as a PhD student, I'm exploring the ecofunctional morphology of sharks and rays by studying how different morphological traits map onto life history, ecological function and extinction risk.
