Vaughn's proposed research focuses on the sub-polar boreal and tundra ecosystems with cross-scale research goals to reconstruct community patterns across decades in western North America (see study region box) and also use targeted field studies (starred site in study region) to examine the role of wing color on individual behavior and population persistence in the alpine species Parnassius smintheus (inset). Working with colleagues at University of Florida's McGuire Center, Vaughn discovered that this species has UV-reflective properties and they will be exploring that, along with melanization (for thermal regulation) and ornamentation (for sexual selection and signaling).