I am interested in highly diverse ecosystems and their conservation, suing species distribution models as an important tool. Specifically, I work on the birdlife of the Eastern Himalayas, one of the world's most diverse terrestrial ecosystems and also one of its least explored. I am interested in understanding the degree to which the trait evolution of closely related species, and their altitudinal ranges, are affected by interspecies competition. I am also using the distribution models that I create to better understand how the current system of protected areas in my study area accomplish conservation goals, both in the present day and under projected changes in global climate.