Matthew T. Weed

I’m a PhD candidate in Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago, working in Dr. Alexander Shingleton’s lab. My research investigates the plasticity of mate choice, specifically how nutritional state and aging shape female mating decisions, using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. By combining behavioral assays with principles from neuroscience and life-history theory, I’m working to understand how internal physiological states reshape one of the most consequential decisions an organism makes.

My dissertation spans multiple experimental approaches, including single-pair mating trials and male-male competition assays, to dissect how environmental and physiological pressures interact to influence reproductive behavior. I bring a strong quantitative foundation to my research, with experience in power analysis, factorial experimental design, and statistical modeling in R.

Outside the lab, I’m interested in applying my analytical skills to data-driven problem-solving and exploring opportunities at the intersection of biology and biostatistics. I live in Oak Park, Illinois, where you can usually find me behind a camera, exploring the city, or learning new skills.