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Education: 
University of Memphis: M.S. in Biology (2021), Ph.D. in Biology (2022)
Indiana University Bloomington: B.A. in Psychology, B.S. in Animal Behavior (2017)

Research Interests: The Miller Lab studies the behavioral ecology and physiology underlying life-history evolution in wild birds, primarily with respect to mate preferences and parental investment. Our question-driven research seeks to understand the factors that mediate decision-making and conflict in these contexts and their impacts on fitness. We are particularly interested in the various ways birds manage reproductive trade-offs under different environmental, ecological, physiological, and social conditions. We employ a combination of field and lab work in both observational and experimental contexts, utilizing procedures such as bird banding and measurement, nest box monitoring, behavioral recordings, spectrometry, and molecular techniques to test hypotheses regarding breeding behavior and ecology. To meet the team and learn more about our research, please see the Miller Lab website. [https://kellydmiller.weebly.com/]

Teaching Philosophy: As an educator, I am focused on increasing students’ interest in science and facilitating their learning about – and appreciation of – the natural world around them. For students to get the most out of their education, I believe teaching methods should stem from pedagogical research and include active and experiential learning whenever possible. My courses involve field trips and hands-on learning activities, and they build upon skills that students will use in their future careers. The overarching goal in my courses is to train students to be more scientifically literate. By the end of the semester, they should be able to think critically about scientific information, communicate their thoughts to others, and make scientifically informed decisions in their own lives.

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