Using comparative methods with both theoretical and empirical approaches, I aim to understand the evolutionary patterns of phenotypic diversity and functional morphology. In particular, I am interested in creating innovative methods for understanding the evolution of complex shape. For my dissertation (finished in 2020), I studied the functional morphology of species across the family of lungless salamanders, Plethodontidae, in association with multiple independent radiations from terrestrial to arboreal microhabitats.
Starting as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Chatham University, my work largely focuses on developing phylogenetic comparative methods that include modeled performance. Specifically, I investigate a variety of functional performance metrics based on the 3-dimensional shape of beetle elytra from a macroevolutionary comparative perspective. I am also an R package co-author for the package geomorph, working to further expand the utility and quality of the R software package. The main product of this work is the Shiny app, gmShiny, which removes the coding barrier of accessibility to the analytical tools in geomorph. You can learn more about the app at www.gmshiny.com. |
Publications
Juarez, BH, EK Baken, AK Shields-Estrada, & LA O’Connell. Submitted. A re-evaluation of Bergmann’s Rule for amphibians. Systematic Biologist.
Baken, EK, AJ Rutledge*, JL Hooks, A Seago, & ML Collyer. Submitted. Tiger beetle mandibles display prevalent and consistent macroevolutionary patterns of both sexual shape dimorphism and directional asymmetry. Evolution.
Baken, EK, D Bradley-Slagle*, A Seago, & ML Collyer. In Press. Chemical defense mechanisms constrain elytron shape and body size macroevolution in darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Annals of Carnegie Museum.
Collyer ML, EK Baken, & DC Adams. 2022. A standardized effect size for evaluating and comparing the strength of phylogenetic signal. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 13: 367-382.
Baken EK, ML Collyer, A Kaliontzopoulou, & DC Adams. 2021. geomorph 4.0 and gmShiny: enhanced analytics and a new graphical interface for a comprehensive morphometric experience. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 12(12): 2355-2363.
Baken EK, & MK O’Donnell. 2021. Clinging ability is related to particular aspects of foot morphology in salamanders. Ecology & Evolution 11(16): 11000-11008.
Baken EK, LE Mellenthin*, and DC Adams. 2021. Is salamander arboreality limited by broad-scale climatic conditions? PLoS One 16(8): e0255393.
O’Dooley SK, EK Baken,W Moss, A Howe, & JK Young. 2021. Identification and evolution of Cas9 tracrRNAs. The CRISPR Journal 4(3): 438-447.
Baken EK, DC Adams, & MS Rentz. 2020. Jigsaw method improves learning and retention for observation-based undergraduate biology laboratory activities. Journal of Biological Education 56(3):317-322.
Baken EK, LE Mellenthin*, and DC Adams. 2020. Macroevolution of desiccation-related morphology in plethodontid salamanders as inferred from a novel surface area to volume ratio approach. Evolution 74(2).
Baken EK, and DC Adams. 2019. Macroevolution of Arboreality in Salamanders. Ecology and Evolution.
Potts KB, E Baken, A Levang, and DP Watts. 2016. Ecological factors influencing habitat use by chimpanzees at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda. American Journal of Primatology 78: 432-440.
Potts KB, E Baken, S Ortmann, DP Watts, and RW Wrangham. 2015. Variability in population density is paralleled by large differences in foraging efficiency in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). International Journal of Primatology 36, 1101-1119.
* Indicates undergraduate mentee
Baken, EK, AJ Rutledge*, JL Hooks, A Seago, & ML Collyer. Submitted. Tiger beetle mandibles display prevalent and consistent macroevolutionary patterns of both sexual shape dimorphism and directional asymmetry. Evolution.
Baken, EK, D Bradley-Slagle*, A Seago, & ML Collyer. In Press. Chemical defense mechanisms constrain elytron shape and body size macroevolution in darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Annals of Carnegie Museum.
Collyer ML, EK Baken, & DC Adams. 2022. A standardized effect size for evaluating and comparing the strength of phylogenetic signal. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 13: 367-382.
Baken EK, ML Collyer, A Kaliontzopoulou, & DC Adams. 2021. geomorph 4.0 and gmShiny: enhanced analytics and a new graphical interface for a comprehensive morphometric experience. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 12(12): 2355-2363.
Baken EK, & MK O’Donnell. 2021. Clinging ability is related to particular aspects of foot morphology in salamanders. Ecology & Evolution 11(16): 11000-11008.
Baken EK, LE Mellenthin*, and DC Adams. 2021. Is salamander arboreality limited by broad-scale climatic conditions? PLoS One 16(8): e0255393.
O’Dooley SK, EK Baken,W Moss, A Howe, & JK Young. 2021. Identification and evolution of Cas9 tracrRNAs. The CRISPR Journal 4(3): 438-447.
Baken EK, DC Adams, & MS Rentz. 2020. Jigsaw method improves learning and retention for observation-based undergraduate biology laboratory activities. Journal of Biological Education 56(3):317-322.
Baken EK, LE Mellenthin*, and DC Adams. 2020. Macroevolution of desiccation-related morphology in plethodontid salamanders as inferred from a novel surface area to volume ratio approach. Evolution 74(2).
Baken EK, and DC Adams. 2019. Macroevolution of Arboreality in Salamanders. Ecology and Evolution.
Potts KB, E Baken, A Levang, and DP Watts. 2016. Ecological factors influencing habitat use by chimpanzees at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda. American Journal of Primatology 78: 432-440.
Potts KB, E Baken, S Ortmann, DP Watts, and RW Wrangham. 2015. Variability in population density is paralleled by large differences in foraging efficiency in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). International Journal of Primatology 36, 1101-1119.
* Indicates undergraduate mentee