Bradley J. Cosentino

Research interests

My research focuses on the evolutionary and ecological responses of organisms to environmental change. I’m particularly interested in how environmental change affects trait evolution and population dynamics. Much of my recent research has focused on understanding evolutionary mechanisms driving trait evolution in cities. I integrate demographic and genomic approaches with a variety of study organisms to investigate these issues.

Current research projects

Effects of urbanization on the evolution of coat color in eastern gray squirrels. This project has a significant community science component - check out our SquirrelMapper website to learn more about ways to get involved!
Examining how invasive mammal eradication restructures biodiversity on island ecosystems. This is a collaborative project with Island Conservation funded by NASA.

I also regularly collaborate with colleagues on a number of side projects. Recent collaborations include understanding legacy effects of agriculture on wildlife populations (with Dr. Kristen Brubaker, HWS) and identifying land use drivers of methylmercury concentrations in amphibians and reptiles (with Dr. Roxanne Razavi, SUNY-ESF).

Gray and melanic color morphs of eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in Syracuse, NY. Photo by Elizabeth Hunter.