Natural history and species interactions have always been the touchstone of my professional life. I focus on the ecology of invasive ant species and their natural enemies. My research attempts to bridge the gap between basic and applied research in invasion biology. Comparative ecology is one of the most powerful approaches in invasive species research, so I work in both the South American, native and North American, introduced ranges of these invaders. My goals are to advance basic science and to use the insights garnered to pursue sustainable control of invasive ants impacting native ecosystems. Currently my focus is investigating the biology, ecology, and biological control of tawny crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva). Based out of the Invasive Species Laboratory at the University of Texas, I also contribute to research efforts on the biology and ecology of imported fire ants and their phorid fly parasitoids, as well as efforts to import and establish these parasitoids in Texas. This organismal systems perspective has pushed my research into a variety of fields including community, behavioral, population, and chemical ecology as well as invertebrate pathology.