Ecology & Evolution

Benjamin Ajayi

Room: 4055
KIN

I research how plant variation reflects evolutionary diversification and the reconstruction of plant genes' evolutionary histories using molecular systematics and morpho-anatomy

• Major Professor: Dr. Austin R. Mast
• baa23a@fsu.edu

Penelope Ales

• Major Professor: Dr. Nora Underwood
• pales@bio.fsu.edu

Erica Atkins

Room: 4023
King
Mailcode: 4295

• Major Professor: Dr. Darin Rokyta
• eatkins@bio.fsu.edu

Donaven Baughman

My research focuses on the impacts of predators and environmental factors on the physiological processes and allocation of energy to various important life history characteristics (e.g., growth, predation defense, and reproduction) of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). The goal of my work is to inform the future management  of wild oysters and improve aquaculture outcomes by understanding the impacts of biotic (predators) and abiotic (environmental) factors on individual oysters and how these impacts may scale-up to alter population dynamics and oyster harvest outcomes. 

• Major Professor: Dr. Joel Trexler
• dbaughman@fsu.edu

Jacob Beretta

• Major Professor: Dr. Dean Grubbs
• jhb24h@fsu.edu

Lillie Bradshaw

• Major Professor: Dr. Sarah Lester
• lb22l@fsu.edu

Ashley Dawdy

I am primarily interested in the behavioral ecology of elasmobranchs, particularly species of conservation concern. My past research used active and passive acoustic telemetry to investigate movement and habitat use patterns in coastal sharks. I am currently investigating social and mating behavior in the critically endangered smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in the Florida Keys, and the habitat use of cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) in Apalachicola Bay, FL. This work contributes to the delineation of essential fish habitat and informs the building of successful species conservation plans.

• Major Professor: Dr. Dean Grubbs
• Home Page
• adawdy@bio.fsu.edu

Abigail Dittmar

I use a combination of mathematical models and field-based experiments to study mechanisms of plant resistance to insect herbivory. I am especially interested in how individual-level interactions scale up to affect the spatial structures of populations and communities and how spatiotemporal variability can shape population and community dynamics. My research lies at the intersection of basic and applied science and I work in both natural and agricultural systems. 

• Major Professor: Dr. Nora Underwood
• adittmar@fsu.edu

Alexandra Dubel

• Major Professor: Dr. Andrew Rassweiler
• adubel@bio.fsu.edu

Emily Fuqua

My research interests are based in applied ecophysiology. I am interested in how anthropogenic changes to the environment, such as increasing ocean temperature and increasing anoxic zones, affect an organism’s physiology, and in turn, how physiological changes affect ecology and population dynamics. My PhD research will focus on Eastern oyster health in the Apalachicola Bay system, and my goal is to assist fisheries managers and conservationists in restoring and preserving a healthy oyster population in Apalachicola Bay. 

• Major Professor: Dr. Sandra D. Brooke
• efuqua@fsu.edu

Adam Goodman

• Major Professor: Dr. Andrew Rassweiler
• ag24bc@fsu.edu

Morgan Hawkins

My research focuses on the morphological and behavioral differences that exist between cultured and wild sourced bivalves. These differences lead to large post-release mortalities, effecting the success of restoration aquaculture. My work helps to identify and correct those differences at the FSUCML Shellfish Restoration and Research hatchery, helping to optimize restoration aquaculture for the Florida bay scallop.

• Major Professor: Dr. Sandra D. Brooke
• mehawkins@fsu.edu

Emma Jackson

• Major Professor: Dr. Dean Grubbs
• esj19@fsu.edu

Marilla Lippert

• Major Professor: Dr. Sarah Lester
• mrl24d@fsu.edu

Annais Muschett-Bonilla

My research investigates reproductive strategies in elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, rays, and sawfish). My goal is to understand variation in maternal investment between closely and distantly related species, along with variation at an individual level. The physiological mechanisms that drive the mode of embryonic nourishment in these species are being investigated, along with studies attempting to highlight the biochemical content and nutrient composition of fluids used to nourish embryos in various species. Finally, after attempting to understand how and to what extent mothers nourish their embryos, my research aims to determine the effects of maternal investment on the mother and assess potential costs of large maternal investment in these species.

• Major Professor: Dr. Dean Grubbs
• amuschettbonilla@fsu.edu

Carlie Ochoa

Room: 242
BRF

I study the proximate mechanisms of speciation in North American chorus frogs. I'm broadly interested in the neural and genomic basis for population-level differences in mating traits that drive macroevolutionary processes. 

• Major Professor: Dr. Emily C. Lemmon
• cba21@fsu.edu

Signe Renstrom

• Major Professor: Dr. Joel Trexler
• ser25a@fsu.edu

Joshua Rowe

• Major Professor: Dr. Austin R. Mast
• jbr22f@fsu.edu

Matthew Schumm

My interests include population dynamics and evolution and plasticity in life-history and metabolic trait distributions (mostly in marine and aquatic organisms), along with development of new quantitative modeling approaches. A current focus of research is eco-evolutionary impacts of harvest on populations. I am also a Masters in STEM Teaching candidate at FSU. Pronouns: he/him.

• Major Professor: Dr. Kimberly A. Hughes
• Home Page
• mschumm@bio.fsu.edu

Grace Soltis

• Major Professor: Dr. Nora Underwood
• gs22n@fsu.edu

Niall Whalen

• Major Professor: Dr. Gregory M. Erickson
• nwhalen@bio.fsu.edu

Alaina Young

Room: 4055
King

Tom Miller, Tara Stewart Merrill, and R. Dean Grubbs labs: Evolution and Ecology Area Master's Thesis Student studying Elasmobrach Parasitology

• Major Professor: Dr. Austin Mast
• aayoung@fsu.edu