- Title Lecturer in Biology
- Education BS, University of California, Santa Barbara
PhD, Boston University - Email rkf@bu.edu
- Area of Interest marine fish ecology, metapopulation dynamics, marine science education research
- CV
Current Research
My previous research investigated the effect of environmental variation on marine fish reproductive success and dispersal. These two important ecological processes influence marine fish population persistence and can inform conservation efforts. More specifically, I developed a previously untested hypothesis that marine fish dispersal may be an adaptive and plastic trait. This work is currently being continued by the Buston Lab and our collaborators. I aim to include undergraduate researchers from my courses who are interested in this work, especially students who wish to conduct GIS projects.
I also am interested in effective and inclusive teaching. I currently investigate the impact of experiential learning in marine science undergraduate courses. From this work, I have goals to foster connections and opportunities for undergraduate students to conduct course-work and research in marine environments.
Students who are interested in my research or my courses should feel free to reach out.
Selected Publications
- Francis, R. K., Castro, K. G., Thompson, S., Trumble, I., Majoris, J. E., & Buston, P. M. (2025). Plasticity of Dispersal‐Related Larval Traits in the Clown Anemonefish Amphiprion percula. Ecology and Evolution, 15(8), e71967. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.71967
- Francis, R. K., Tostevin, G., Barbasch, T., Branconi, R., Srinivasan, M., Jones, G. P., & Buston, P. M. (2024). Positive spatial autocorrelation in three habitat quality indicators sets the stage for evolution of adaptive dispersal plasticity in a coral reef fish. Coral Reefs, 43(1), 69-78. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00338-023-02447-8
- Francis, R. K., Catalano, K. A., Majoris, J. E., Rueger, T., D’Aloia, C. C., Bogdanowicz, S., & Buston, P. M. (2022). Characteristics of breeding habitat, genetic mating system, and determinants of male mating success in the sponge-dwelling goby Elacatinus lori. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 76(12), 157. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00265-022-03263-w
Courses Taught:
- BI 303: Evolutionary Ecology
- BI 509: Metapopulation Ecology
- BI 511: Coral Reef Fishes
- BI/EE 578: Marine GIS