Why do some groups of organisms have more species than others? The goal of my research is to identify processes and events responsible for present-day patterns in species richness. I combine techniques including phylogenetic estimation using genomic data, phylogenetic comparative methods, database mining, simulations, interpreting the fossil record, and micro-CT scanning preserved specimens. The diversity of ray-finned fishes provides much of the inspiration for my research as they include >30,000 species spanning the globe and all aquatic habitats. 

• Miller, E. C. 2021. Comparing diversification rates in lakes, rivers, and the sea. Evolution, 75: 2055–2073.
• Miller, E. C., S. L. Mesnick, and J. J. Wiens. 2021. Sexual dichromatism is decoupled from diversification over deep time in fishes.The American Naturalist, 198: 232–252.
• Miller, E. C. and C. Román-Palacios. 2021. Evolutionary time best explains the latitudinal diversity gradient of living freshwater fish diversity. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 30: 749–763.
• Miller, E. C., K. T. Hayashi, D. Song, and J. J. Wiens. 2018. Explaining the ocean’s richest biodiversity hotspot and global patterns of fish diversity. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 285: 20181314.