Sparkes works on behavioral ecology in several different aquatic systems. His local research focuses on behavior in the parasite-host relationship that occurs between the acanthocephalan parasite (Acanthocephalus dirus) and the intermediate host (Caecidotea intermedius). Sparkes also has ongoing projects examining factors that influence the dynamics of mating patterns in both freshwater and marine systems of North America and Europe.

Wahl G, Sparkes TC (2012) Egg dispersal in the acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus dirus: field data. Journal of Parasitology 98: 894-896 Sparkes TC, Rush V, Kopp DA, Foster SA (2013) Male reproductive success in a natural population of three-spined stickleback: effects of nuptial colour, parasites and body size. Journal of Fish Biology 82: 1720-1727 Martineau C, Traphagen S, Sparkes TC (2013) A guided inquiry methodology to achieve authentic science in a large undergraduate biology course. Journal of Biological Education 47: 240-245 Caddigan SC, Barkauskas RT, Sparkes TC (2014) Intra-population variation in behavior modification by the acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus dirus: are differences mediated by host condition? Parasitology Research – In Press