Evolutionary Biologist  
 Postdoctoral Researcher, 
 Dept of Anthropology, NYU
I am an evolutionary biologist and ecologist. I am interested in the diversity of life. Why is life so abundant? What are the processes that structure this abundance in space and time? I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Primate Reproductive Ecology and Evolution Group at New York University where I am studying the evolution of conspicuous colours in infant primates. My PhD research in the Stoddard Lab at Princeton University focused on the evolution of plumage colouration in parrots. Stay tuned for PhD publications!
 
		Postdoctoral Researcher
Price-Waldman, R. M., Ali, J. R., Shultz, A. J., Hogan, B. G., & Stoddard, M. C. (2025). Hidden white and black feather layers enhance plumage coloration in tanagers and other songbirds. Science Advances
Morrison, E.S., … , Ali, J. R., … & Shultz, A.J. (2025) Geographical variation in signals and responses: individual identity signals linked with capacity for individual face learning across Polistes fuscatus wasp populations. PloS one
Weise, C., Ali, J. R., Ortiz, C.C., Tibbetts, E.A. (2024) Geographical variation in signals and responses: individual identity signals linked with capacity for individual face learning across Polistes fuscatus wasp populations. Animal Behaviour
Ali, J. R., Blonder, B, Pigot, A. L. & Tobias, J. A. (2023) Bird extinctions threaten to cause disproportionate reductions of functional diversity and uniqueness. Functional Ecology
Tobias, J. A., … , Ali, J. R., … & Schleuning, M. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters, 25(3), 581-597.
Ali, J. R., Deacon, A. E., Mahabir, K., Ramnarine, I. W., & Magurran, A. E. (2018). Heterospecific shoaling in an invasive poeciliid: shared history does not affect shoal cohesion. Animal Behaviour, 138, 1-8.
Morris, J., Ford, A. G. P., Ali, J. R., Peart, C. R., Bills R., & Day, J. J. (2015) High levels of genetic structure and striking phenotypic variability in a sexually dimorphic suckermouth catfish from the African Highveld. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.