Mercedes Burns

I've been studying the evolution of mating and reproductive traits in harvestmen (a.k.a "daddy-longlegs") for around ten years! I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in 2014, and my current home base is at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

The number one question I get asked about my research: Are daddy-longlegs dangerous to people?! No! This unique order of arachnids does not have fangs, and they do not produce any venom (although they do have defensive glands on their backs, which produce a fluid that smells kind of like onions to me).

I love communicating science, and it's pretty excellent to study a group of species that most Americans have seen but don't know much about. As a minority scientist, I am also excited to work with students of diverse backgrounds and prove that evolutionary biologists come in all shapes, races, and walks of life!

In my spare time, I travel, sew, collect comic books, enjoy science fiction movies, play with my cats, and jog in my neighborhood!

September 2016