I am interested in the systematics and evolution of Neotropical birds, and specially in patterns of diversification in space and time. For my dissertation I am focusing on the evolution of the family Furnariidae (Neotropical ovenbirds and woodcreepers) as an example of a continental adaptive radiation. I am studying the interplay among speciation, extinction, and morphological change to test models of biological diversification. Among other things, I am comparing the morphological diversity of furnariids with that of other Neotropical families, and I am investigating morphological traits that may influence speciation and extinction.