BIO
Rebecca Koch joined the UW-Stevens Point Department of Biology in 2024. She previously taught a course which she designed on evolutionary theory at the University of Tulsa. In her teaching roles at Auburn University Koch taught introductory biology and a lab and field course in ornithology. Her professional service experience includes the review of 54 submitted manuscripts for 23 journals since 2015. View CV
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Behavioral ecology
- Genetics
- Mitochondrial biology
SELECTED AWARDS
- Early Career Researcher Award, Australian Research Council (2018)
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Award (2012-1015)
PUBLICATIONS
Koch, R.E., C. Okegbe, C. Ramanathan, X. Zhu, E. Hare, M.B. Toomey*, G.E. Hill* & Y. Zhang* (2024), “Captivity affects mitochondrial aerobic respiration and carotenoid metabolism in the house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus),” Journal of Experimental Biology, 227(9): jeb246980. * indicates equal contribution. Article (as preprint)
Khalil, S., E.D. Enbody, C. Frankl-Vilches, J.F. Welklin, R.E. Koch, M.B. Toomey, S.Y.W. Sin, S.V. Edwards, M. Gahr, H. Schwabl, M.S. Webster, & J. Karubian (2023), “Testosterone coordinates gene expression across different tissues to produce carotenoid-based red ornamentation,” Molecular Biology and Evolution, 40(4), msad056.
Toomey, M. B., C.I. Marques, P.M. Araújo, D. Huang, S. Zhong, Y. Liu, G.D. Schreiner, C.A. Myers, P. Pereira, S. Afonso, P. Andrade, M.A. Gazda, R.J. Lopes, I. Viegas, R.E. Koch, M.E. Haynes, D.J. Smith, Y. Ogawa, D. Murphy, R.E. Kopec, D.M. Parichy, M. Carniero, & J.C. Corbo (2022), “A mechanism for red coloration in vertebrates,” Current Biology, 32(19): 4201-4214.
Koch, R.E. and D.K. Dowling (2022), “Effects of mitochondrial haplotype on pre-copulatory mating success in male fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster),” Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 35(10): 1396-1402. Article
Koch, R.E. and G.E. Hill (2022), “Shared biochemical pathways for ornamentation and immune function: rethinking the mechanisms underlying honest signaling of parasite resistance,” in: V. Ezenwa, S. Altizer, R. Hall (eds.). Animal Behavior and Parasitism. Oxford University Press.