Assistant Professor of Biology

Office: 101D Maes Building

Phone: (409) 880-8255

Email: kkubicek2@lamar.edu

Website: kolekubicek.com

Education:

• 2020 Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University 
• 2014 M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University 
• 2011 B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University 

Research Interests: 

My research program focuses broadly on the comparative anatomy, development and evolution of bony fishes. This has included exploring questions of homology of long disputed skeletal elements, complete documentation of the development of the skeleton in several disparate groups of fishes, investigating the role of evolutionary processes such as heterochrony on unique morphological adaptations, and the evolution of iconic anatomical structures such as the infamous pectoral-fin spine of catfishes. I find the anatomy and development of vertebrates to be fascinating and enjoy using the study of development to answer questions of evolution or clarify phylogenetic relationships. I use a variety of techniques in my lab that range from classical (e.g., gross dissection, clearing and double staining, histology) to cutting-edge (e.g., computed tomography, fluorescent imaging). I am also always interested in conducting field work, often to survey populations of fishes for various purposes. I am involved in several ongoing collaborations with researchers across the globe as well as right here in Texas. 

Recent Publications:

Kubicek, K. M., (2022). Developmental osteology of Ictalurus punctatus and Noturus gyrinus (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) with a discussion of siluriform bone homologies. Vertebrate Zoology 72 661–727.   

Mattox, G. M., Kubicek, K. M., & Britz, R. (2022). Notes on the skeletal anatomy of Priocharax ariel Weitzman & Vari, 1987 with implications for its taxonomy (Teleostei: Characiformes). Zootaxa, 5138(5), 597–599. 

Kubicek, K. M., Britz, R., Pinion, A. K., Bower, L. M., & Conway, K. W. (2022) Three scleral ossicles in the West African Denticle herring Denticeps clupeoides (Clupeiformes: Denticipitidae). Journal of fish biology, 100(3), 852–855. 

Conway, K. W., Kubicek, K. M., & Britz, R. (2021) Extreme evolutionary shifts in developmental timing establish the miniature Danionella as a novel model in neurosciences. Developmental Dynamics. 2021; 250: 601– 611. 

Kubicek, K. M., Pinion, A. K. & Conway, K. W. (2019). New records of the Mountain Mullet Dajaus monticola(Bancroft, 1834) and an overview of historical records in Texas. Checklist, 15(3), 471–478.  

Kubicek, K. M., Britz, R. & Conway, K. W. (2019). Ontogeny of the catfish pectoral‐fin         spine (Teleostei: Siluriformes). Journal of Morphology, 280(3), 339–359. 

Kubicek, K. M., Álvarez-González, C. A., Martínez-García, R., Contreras-Sánchez, W. M., Pohlenz, C. & Conway, K. W. (2018). Larval development of the Mexican Snook, Centropomus poeyi (Teleostei: Centropomidae). Neotropical Ichthyology 16(1) e170014. 

Kubicek, K. M., & Conway, K. W. (2016). Developmental osteology of Sciaenops ocellatus and Cynoscion nebulosus(Teleostei: Sciaenidae), economically important sciaenids from the western Atlantic. Acta Zoologica, 97(3), 267–301.