Current lab members
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Susana M. Wadgymar, Ph.D.
I am an evolutionary ecologist broadly interested in the mechanisms that facilitate or impede adaptive evolution in natural populations. My research incorporates the concepts and methodologies of population ecology, quantitative genetics, life history evolution, and conservation biology to investigate theoretical predictions in ecology and evolution. I teach introductory biology, biostats, and evolutionary ecology.
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Walter Dauksher, graduating class of 2020
Independent study 2019 and 2020: Walter is exploring how within-generation and transgenerational plasticity contribute to the classic shade avoidance syndrome phenotype in Arabidopsis thaliana. Moving forward, he is assessing whether DNA methylation is involved in these responses. This is Walter presenting his work during the Verna Miller Case Research & Creative Works Symposium. |
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Miguel Sierra, graduating class of 2020
Lab technician 2019 and independent study 2020: Miguel is investigating transgenerational and within-generation plasticity in sex allocation in response to resource availability and herbivory in the hermaphroditic annual plant Brassica rapa. This is a large, multidimensional, collaborative project conducted with Tommy and Nikki. Miguel previously collaborated on projects exploring transgenerational plasticity in life history traits response to shade in Arabidopsis thaliana and in seed dormancy response to early snow removal in Boechera stricta. He also worked on creating pedigreed families of Brassica rapa and Triodanis perfoliata for future work in the lab. This picture was taken during Miguel's semester abroad in China. |
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Tommy Bohannon, graduating class of 2020
Lab technician 2019 and independent study 2020: Tommy is comparing maternal vs. paternal transgenerational plasticity in sex allocation in response to pollination dynamics and resource availability in the hermaphroditic annual plant Brassica rapa. This is a large, multidimensional, collaborative project conducted with Nikki and Miguel. Tommy previously collaborated on a project that examined the influence of shade on plasticity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Pictured here is Tommy's botanical avatar. |
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Nikki Kostur, graduating class of 2021
Independent study student 2020: Nikki is investigating transgenerational and within-generation plasticity in sex allocation in response to pollination dynamics in the hermaphroditic annual plant Brassica rapa. This is a large, multidimensional, collaborative project conducted with Tommy and Miguel. Nikki recently spent time abroad studying dolphin behavior and polar biology. She worked with scientists in Croatia, Copenhagen, and Norway. |
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Sam McKlin, graduating class of 2021
Independent study student 2020: Sam is assessing the ideal spatial scale of relocation for assisted gene flow programs under both current and future climates. He will use integral projection models and sensitivity analyses to explore this question using data from a multi-year, multi-site, reciprocal transplant experiment using the perennial mustard Boechera stricta. We are collaborating with Dr. Jill Anderson from the University of Georgia on this project. In this picture, Sam is preparing to take leaf measurements at Parque Katalapi in Northern Patagonia. |
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You!! If you are interested in conducting research in the lab, email Susana to schedule a time to chat. |
Lab alumni
Jonah Mische (19'), lab technician 2018, independent study 2018-2019: Jonah studied within-generation and transgenerational plasticity in Brassica rapa and Arabidopsis thaliana.
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Jack Shumway (19'), independent study 2019: Jack reviewed the literature for evidence that DNA methylation mediates or contributes to transgenerational plasticity in Arabidopsis thaliana.
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Vince Durham (20'), lab technician 2019: Vince collaborated on projects exploring transgenerational plasticity in life history traits in response to shade in Arabidopsis thaliana and in seed dormancy response to early snow melt in Boechera stricta. In this picture, Miguel and Vince have just successfully extracted DNA from Arabidopsis for the first time!
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Brooke Whitcomb (22'), lab technician 2018: Brooke helped conduct crosses between pairs of Brassica rapa plants to create pedigreed families for future experiments.
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