ACBurke is an Evolutionary Morphologist with specific interest in the morphological evolution of the musculoskeletal system in vertebrates and the role of developmental processes in that evolution. She has used both classical experimental embryology and modern molecular methods to explore developmental mechanisms that result in morphological novelties. This work is primarily comparative, using model systems like chicken and mouse embryos, as well as other vertebrates with significant phylogenetic positions and interesting variations of the basic tetrapod body plan. Most recent work focused on lamprey, zebra fish and salamander. 

I have recently changed my focus from experimental lab work to the challenge of resurrecting and restoring the scattered remnants of the Wesleyan Natural History Museum.