Current IGERT Students
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Karen Adair
I grew up in Oregon and recieved my B.S. in biology from
the University of Denver. This summer I completed my M.S.
in biology at NAU looking at soil ammonia-oxidizing bacteria
and archaea populations on the C. Hart Merriam Elevational
Gradient located on the San Francisco Peaks. I am interested
in characterizing soil microbial communities and linking
processes mediated by microorganisms to functional genes
in the environment.
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Helen Bothwell
She completed her BS in Biological Aspects of Conservation
with a double major in art from the University of Wisconsin,
Madison. Helen is studying genetic sinks in the cottonwood
populations from Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. She
will then overlay that data with ecosystem processes at the
landscape level, analyzing processes such as fire history,
insect populations and drought impacts. She is interested
in communicating these results to the community, perhaps
as an instructor, while keeping up with her disc golf career
and painting. |
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Bala Chaudhary
Bala's
personal website
My research revolves around the ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal
(AM) fungi in natural ecosystems. Specifically, I am interested
in the diversity, assemblage, and biogeography of AM fungal
communities, their feedbacks with plant communities, and
AM fungal ecosystem functions such as the enhancement of
soil stability. I first became infected with AM fungi as
an undergraduate at the University of Chicago and then realized
their important role in ecosystem management while working
as a restoration consultant in southern California. In 2003,
I came to NAU to pursue graduate studies with Dr. Nancy Johnson.
I also coach the NAU women's ultimate frisbee team.
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Hillary Cooper
I am interested in how plant populations and their communities will respond to changes in the environment, specifically from climate change. The Southwest has been experiencing a major drought since 1996 which has had a huge impacts on many vegetation types. As a PhD student in Dr. Tom Whitham's lab, I am excited to study these climate change effects on the pinyon pine community, both locally at sites around Flagstaff and potentially throughout their range from Utah to Mexico. I am also interested in looking at differences in these responses between two species of pinyons and their hybrids using a reciprocal transplant approach. After receiving my BSc in Microbial Biology and working in several plant phylogenetics labs at UC Berkeley, I am excited to have a large field component as well as lab work and hopefully some climate change modeling. The IGERT program complements my interests well in that I'll be able to incorporate so many disciplines, combining genetics and modeling with observational and experimental field studies.
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Thomas Davis
My research is focused on understanding the effects of variation in pine phytochemistry on the population dynamics and performance of an eruptive beetle-microbe complex. Variation in pine defensive chemistry is a genetically mediated trait that may feedback to shape associated biotic communities in a way that drastically affects human values. We are currently characterizing novel symbionts in the pine bark beetle system both genetically and ecologically. In my personal time I am an avid backpacker. I also enjoy chess, backcountry skiing, and writing poetry badly.
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Benjamin Duval
I am a PhD student working with Dr. Bruce Hungate in the
Department of Biological Sciences, NAU. Bruce's work focuses
on biogeochemistry and nutrient cycling, especially with
regard to climatic change. Some of his most interesting
work has been with responses of ecosystems to elevated
CO2, and showing that these systems are constrained in
their ability to "soak up" excess
carbon because of limitations of other nutrients. My work
is expanding on this idea, that iron and molybdenum (two
nutrients needed for ecosystems to capture and use nitrogen)
become limiting as increasing carbon binds these nutrients
in plant tissues and soil organic compounds. The take home
message is that while elevated CO2 will certainly increase
global temperatures, there are other ecosystem changes
related to increased CO2 that will happen faster, and will
be just as profound.
I received my B.A. in Biology from The College of Wooster
where I completed a thesis on coyote behavior and went
to Africa to work on lion social evolution. I completed
my M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences at New Mexico
State University under Dr.Walter Whitford working on projects
spanning soil science, entomology, and mammal ecology.
Walt's influence on my work will be felt for the rest of
my career as a scientist. Personally, I enjoy hiking, fishing,
canoeing, and generally just enjoying the vibe of Flagstaff
with my dog, and I play guitar in a local band.
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Luke Evans
He received his BS in Biology from Dartmouth College and
his MS from NAU in 2007. He is studying cottonwood hybridization
and the effects on a bud-galling mite. He poses the question:
How do cottonwood genetic variations affect arthropod evolution?
He is working with Dr. Tom Whitham and a 15-year genetic
database to develop some answers to that question. He enjoys
road trips of all kinds and this summer spent a month in
New Zealand at the 2007 Evolution Conference. |
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Tabitha Graves
Tabitha's personal website
She comes to the IGERT program from the University of Montana Wildlife program where she received her Masters in 2002 for her thesis on Spatial and temporal response of grizzly bears to recreational use on trails. More recently she has been part of the Northern Divide Grizzly Bear Project in northwestern Montana. Her dissertation on spatial ecology of grizzly bear stems from research in that 8 million acre study area and will use genetic data to link habitat and connectivity with bear abundance. Tabitha studies with Forestry professor Dr. Paul Beier and plays mandolin and participates in West African dance in her free time. |
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Suzanne Hagell
Suzanne's personal
website
I recently moved to Flagstaff after graduate work at the
City University of New York. My current research interests
are in conservation biology, specifically how animal behavior
can be used in conservation planning. For the past year I’ve
been assisting wildlife conservation efforts in Nicaragua
and will be continuing there with the IGERT program. My dissertation
looks at the conservation status, ecological role, and dispersal
of spider monkeys across forest fragments. The multi-disciplinary
nature of the IGERT program allows me to integrate management
and conservation techniques from the School of Forestry with
molecular genetics. This will produce a more innovative dissertation
and will make my work in Nicaragua more effective. There
is a lot of work to be done in Nicaragua. We are always looking
for more volunteers to chase monkeys!
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Brenda Harrop
My interest in microbiology began in Dr. Maribeth Watwood’s
laboratory at Idaho State University where I was excited
by bioremediation and wanted to learn more about microbial
ecology and environmental microbiology. In Dr. Watwood’s
lab here at NAU, I help undergrads with various projects
including phage/bacteria interactions in wastewater and soils
and toluene degraders. For my thesis, I am characterizing
microbial communities associated with decomposing leaf litter
in Fossil Creek. I started this project before the dam was
decommissioned and am excited to continue studying Fossil
Creek. My PhD project will explore the role of microbes in
ecosystem functioning. I will look at biogeochemistry and
try to link microbial community structure and function through
genes involved in nitrogen cycling. As part of the IGERT
program, I’m excited to continue my studies and contribute
to the Fossil Creek story.
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Annika Keeley
I am interested in conservation biology, especially in biodiversity management through research, education, and applied conservation. For my dissertation research I will study functional connectivity requirements of wildlife species through occupancy modeling, behavioral experiments, and landscape genetics. I am excited about being part of the IGERT program, because its multi-disciplinary approach will help be to learn molecular genetics, statistics, ecological modeling, and GIS. Combined, they are essential tools for research in landscape genetics and ecology and will increase my ability to achieve future conservation goals. I have two daughters who are looking forward to helping me with the field work.
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Jamie Lamit
I grew up in the San Francisco bay area, finished my undergraduate at the University of Montana, and did my M.S. at Northern Arizona University. I am in Kitty Gehring’s lab, where I pursue my interests in fungi, plants and the ecological and evolutionary implications of their interactions. Much of my research focuses on genetically based trait variation in cottonwoods (Populus spp.) and how this variation influences interactions with communities of fungi that live in association with above and belowground plant tissues. I also enjoy working in my garden, hunting for wild mushrooms and playing improvisational music.
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Matthew Lau
I am a PhD student Jane Marks’ freshwater ecology lab. My background includes a BA from Earlham College, and an MS from California State University, Sacramento. The broad theme of my dissertation topic is to study the effect of cottonwood genetic variation on riverine ecosystems. Cottonwoods (Genus: Populus) are a dominant riparian tree and their genetic variation is likely to influence a suite of ecosystem processes. Previous work has shown that riparian leaf leachate can supply a significant amount of organic carbon to streams; consequently affecting whether streams are carbon sources or sinks. Other work has demonstrated that these organic carbons can also regulate nitrification rates and influence microbial communities. These relationships have considerable ecological significance as they demonstrate that aquatic food webs can be influenced by riparian leaf litter. This work will also introduce genetics into the River Continuum Concept – one of the major paradigms of stream ecology – as leaf decomposition varies along the genetic continuum of hybridizing cottonwoods. This work has meaningful applications as I will be able to elucidate on how genetic variation should be included into restoration efforts as well as better understand how cottonwoods may influence nutrient retention thus slowing downstream loading and eutrophication. In my free time I enjoy long-distance running, being in the mountains, and reading.
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Theresa McHugh
I received a B.S. degree in Environmental Science from the University of Notre Dame and a M.S. degree in Biology from Northern Arizona University. After teaching middle and high school science for several years, I am returning to NAU to work with Dr. Egbert Schwartz. My research will examine the impact of rain events on nitrogen cycling and microbial community composition in the Flagstaff area. I hope to also incorporate plant, rhizosphere, and mycorrhizal effects into my study.
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Robert Miranda
He comes to NAU from San Antonio, Texas with both his BS
and MS in Biology. He is interested in how environmental
chemicals act as endocrine disruptors in amphibians. Robert
is working with Drs. Nishikawa and Propper on this research
while developing his database from field samples both Flagstaff
and Phoenix. By integrating chemistry and molecular biology
disciplines, he plans to study the relationship of environmental
chemicals to amphibian development and behavior. Robert plays
at the local disc golf course and enjoys outdoor sports of
all kinds. |
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Melanie Schroer
I grew up in New Jersey and received my B.S. in Environmental Conservation from the University of New Hampshire, where I conducted research on genetic variation in a wild strawberry along an environmental gradient in relation to glacial recession and future climate change. I am looking forward to continuing research in this “genes to environment” theme through the IGERT program. With Dr. Catherine Propper, I plan to study the effects of environmental contaminants on the endocrine systems of wildlife, and in turn, how these changes impact populations and the ecosystem as a whole. |
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Dave Smith
As a PhD student, I plan on studying the theory and mechanisms
driving community evolution. Consequently, I am interested
in group dynamics, particularly interaction that perpetuates
the cohesiveness of groups in nature. Part of my research
will examine the genetic basis of species interaction and
how selection has changed the genetic makeup among interacting
species. I am excited to be part of the IGERT program.
Working with so many different people, each with their
own interests will certainly open my eyes to more ways
the world operates. I am looking forward to taking what
I learn in these other disciplines and applying them to
my own studies. I am confident it will make my research
that much stronger and applicable to a much broader audience.
In what little spare time I have, I enjoy biking, running
and visiting my family in Texas and Spain. |
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Katie Stumpf
IGERT furthers her interests in microclimate and nest predation
in the willow flycatcher, Empidonax trailii. Her Masters
in Biology was completed at NAU and focused on determining
a strong influence between microclimate and predation. She
plans to tie that data together with a habitat restoration
component. She will examine the genetic link to microclimate
using blood samples collected during five years of fieldwork.
Katie expects to continue her field work along the Colorado
River for the next three summers. She has worked, and played,
in bird habitats from Hawai’i to Costa Rica, Panama,
and Ecuador. |
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Ben Sullivan
I am interested in ecosystem ecology and soil nutrient cycling. My previous work focused on the impact of forest management and wildfire on greenhouse gas cycling in ponderosa pine forest soils in northern Arizona. Currently I am utilizing a soil age gradient in northern Arizona to study the effects of soil age on net primary productivity and soil organic matter stability. Soil microbes mediate rates of nutrient decomposition and turnover. By utilizing genetic techniques, I will be able to assess whether patterns of microbial community composition are related to the stability of soil organic matter. |
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Amy Welty-Bernard
She has an educational background that ranges from a BA
in French literature to a Masters in Biology and Geology.
She studied both biology and geology on a Colorado River
backwater nutrient-cycling project and worked at the Center
for Microbial Genetics and Genomics at NAU, investigating
bacterial/mineral interface. Her IGERT mentor is Dr. Egbert
Schwartz. Her project will look at aluminum resistance in
microbial communities. She has an adorable three-year daughter,
and manages to successfully balance family and career. |
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Cameron Williams
Sometime between catching air on my skateboard and building sketchy tree houses, I was miraculously accepted to attend college at Humboldt State University. Hidden in northwestern California and shrouded by towering redwoods, the University’s atmosphere elicited questions about life in tall forest canopies. What lives up there, and why? While examining community structure of the occupants on giant redwood trees (Tonsberg & Williams 2006; Williams & Sillett 2007; Williams & Tibell 2008), I began to ponder the biophysical structure of the trees themselves.
The wood of Earth’s tallest trees contains plumbing that delivers water to leaves photosynthesizing more than 370 feet (113 meters) above the ground. This plumbing consists of an immense system of tiny conduits with a vast surface area to which water adheres, thus generating frictional resistance as water flows through a stem. How do tall trees structure their plumbing to minimize frictional resistance to flow? How is resistance distributed along a stem’s flow path? Answering these and similar questions requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates plant physiology and anatomy with mechanical engineering and fluid dynamics models. For the task, I have teamed up with plant ecophysiologist George Koch as well as other faculty from NAU’s Biological Sciences and Mechanical Engineering departments. |
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Adam Wymore
I am a PhD student Jane Marks’ freshwater ecology lab. My background includes a BA from Earlham College, and an MS from California State University, Sacramento. The broad theme of my dissertation topic is to study the effect of cottonwood genetic variation on riverine ecosystems. Cottonwoods (Genus: Populus) are a dominant riparian tree and their genetic variation is likely to influence a suite of ecosystem processes. Previous work has shown that riparian leaf leachate can supply a significant amount of organic carbon to streams; consequently affecting whether streams are carbon sources or sinks. Other work has demonstrated that these organic carbons can also regulate nitrification rates and influence microbial communities. These relationships have considerable ecological significance as they demonstrate that aquatic food webs can be influenced by riparian leaf litter. This work will also introduce genetics into the River Continuum Concept – one of the major paradigms of stream ecology – as leaf decomposition varies along the genetic continuum of hybridizing cottonwoods. This work has meaningful applications as I will be able to elucidate on how genetic variation should be included into restoration efforts as well as better understand how cottonwoods may influence nutrient retention thus slowing downstream loading and eutrophication. In my free time I enjoy long-distance running, being in the mountains, and reading. |
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Kasey Yturralde
My research will focus on the ecology and evolution of acoustic communication in bark beetles. I plan on studying variation in acoustic communication and life history strategies across bark beetle taxa. I am also interested in investigating how bark beetles produce and detect acoustic signals. I will be working with Dr. Rich Hofstetter in the insect ecology laboratory in the School of Forestry.
I recently moved to Flagstaff from Washington, DC where I worked in science education with the federal government and a non-profit organization. I received an MS in Biology at Arizona State University and studied male courtship behavior in the Orange sulphur butterfly. I also received and MA in Biology at Sonoma State University studying the relative importance of male-male competition and female mate choice in the montane leaf beetle. When not thinking of beetles, I love to cook and take my dog out exploring the trails in northern Arizona. |
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IGERT Program
Summary
