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Natalia Taft, PhD
- Assistant Professor
- Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2009
- Biological Sciences
- (262) 595-2078
- taft@uwp.edu
Biography
I am a vertebrate evolutionary and functional morphologist. I received my PhD in Organismal and Evolutionary biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2009. I conducted my postdoctoral work at the University of Chicago with Dr. Neil Shubin from 2009-2011. After one year as a Visiting Assistant Professor at DePaul University in Chicago, I moved to my current tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences here at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Teaching, Research/Creative & Consulting Interests
Teaching Interests
My primary teaching interests are Introductory Biology for majors and non-majors, Human Anatomy and Physiology and Developmental Biology. I also co-designed and am team-teaching out new sophomore-level Research Process in Biology course, which I am excited about this year!
Research Interests
My research focuses on understanding the evolution and relationship of structure and function of bony fish fins. I am currently investigating this relationship in basal actinopterygian (ray-finned) fishes as well as benthic specialist fishes like flatfish. I have also recently become interested in the evolution of fish coloration and am actively pursuing projects in this area.
Consulting Interests
Publications
Selected Publications
2017: Comparative morphology and mechanical properties of the lepidotrichia of climbing and non-climbing Hawaiian gobioid fishes, Cybium (107-115 pp.)
Key Service Activities
University Service
: Committee Member - Student Success Steering Committee
Courses Taught
Spring 2018
BIOS 317 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 102 ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 102 ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 207 RESEARCH PROCESS IN BIOLOGY
Fall 2017
BIOS 103 HUMAN BIOLOGY
BIOS 103 HUMAN BIOLOGY
BIOS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY
BIOS 102 ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
Spring 2017
BIOS 317 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY
BIOS 102 ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 207 RESEARCH PROCESS IN BIOLOGY
BIOS 495 SENIOR SEMINAR
Fall 2016
BIOS 103 HUMAN BIOLOGY
BIOS 103 HUMAN BIOLOGY
BIOS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY
BIOS 102 ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 495 SENIOR SEMINAR
Spring 2016
BIOS 317 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 106 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY & ANATOMY II
BIOS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY
BIOS 102 ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 207 RESEARCH PROCESS IN BIOLOGY
Fall 2015
BIOS 103 HUMAN BIOLOGY
BIOS 103 HUMAN BIOLOGY
BIOS 106 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY & ANATOMY II
BIOS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY
BIOS 102 ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 495 SENIOR SEMINAR
Spring 2015
BIOS 317 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 106 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY & ANATOMY II
BIOS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY
BIOS 102 ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
BIOS 495 SENIOR SEMINAR
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