My masters research consisted of examining agonistic behavior in plethodontid salamanders. Specifically, I examined the affects of territorial quality on agonistic behavior in the red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus. I subsequently examined aspects of territorial quality and salamander quality in the forest to substantiate my findings in the laboratory. I have also been involved in research examining social interactions between plethodontid salamanders from different ecotones with Dr. Robert Jaeger and Dr. Henry Wilbur.