Dr. Walsh’s lab focuses on the evolution and ecology of freshwater invertebrates, especially of Chihuahuan Desert zooplankton and how species adapt to temporary habitats in arid lands. Projects include comparative genomics, characterizing genetic variation of populations of selected species and investigation of reproduction patterns to determine cues for inducing or ending diapause. Current funding supports research on genomics, molecular phylogenetics and life history evolution in rotifers. A third area of research is environmental toxicology in freshwater ecosystems. Work in this area focuses on impacts of heavy metals and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PCPPs) on rotifers. A new area of research is ​population genetics of tardigrades.