About Me

I am a postdoctoral researcher currently working on projects examining freshwater amphipod diversity throughout North America.

In 2025, I graduated from Miami University with a Ph.D Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology. Here, I worked on projects examining freshwater amphipod diversity using phylogenetic and phylogenomic tools. Previously, I graduated from

In 2018 I graduated from Florida A&M University in 2018 with a M.S. in Biology after working on projects examining the phylogenetics/taxonomy of members of the Crangonyctidae in Florida. Prior to this, I obtained my B.A. in Zoology from Miami University, where I worked on examining the taxonomy of Gammarus spp. in the Chihuahuan Desert.

I have a strong passion for examining the little things underfoot. My research reflects this, I currently am focused on researching evolutionary and biogeographic patterns of aquatic organisms, using peracarid (amphipod and isopod) crustaceans as models. These organisms have served well for examining these topics due to their diversity (both taxonomic and ecological), evolutionary history, and biology/ecology (no dispersive larval stage, leading to high endemism). I am also active in peracarid taxonomy and have described numerous species of amphipods in several genera, along with a handful of genera and a new family!

In addition to my research, I enjoy hiking, birding, archery, and occasionally a bit of gardening!

I am also fond of nature photography, especially invertebrates and other small critters. You can view some of my photography on Flickr, Instagram, and sometimes iNaturalist.

I can be contacted by email at cannizag@gmail.com