Dr. Edwards’ research interests include systematics, molecular phylogenetics, conservation genetics, and evolution in vertebrates with special interests given to mammalian systems. Current research projects include the ecology, evolution, and conservation of native rodents in the Galapagos Islands, with special interest in the role of introduced species (e.g. Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, and Mus musculus) in the decline and extinction of native rodents. Other projects examine hybrid zones between genetically distinct taxa, isolating mechanisms, and the dynamics of genetic introgression, applications of geometric morphometrics to studies of phylogeny and ontogeny of mammals, growth. Dr. Edwards is also involved with the utilization of natural history collections, especially those pertaining to mammals, for survey purposes and for establishing the distributions of mammalian species.

Dr. Edwards joined Mason after he completed a two-year postdoctoral appointment at Texas Tech University and served for two years as an Assistant Professor at Stephen F. Austin State University.