Graduate Students
Each graduate student belongs to one of three administrative areas:
Abotsi, Alberta
Email: ama23e@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Scott Stagg
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Ajayi, Benjamin
I research how plant variation reflects evolutionary diversification and the reconstruction of plant genes' evolutionary histories using molecular systematics and morpho-anatomy
Office: 4055 KIN Building
Email: baa23a@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Austin R. Mast
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Akram, Sara
Office: King Life Science Building Building
Email: ha20be@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hank W. Bass
Alcantara, Fatima
Email: falcantara@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Nora Underwood
Second Major Professor: Dr. Brian D. Inouye
Ales, Penelope
Email: pales@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Nora Underwood
Second Major Professor: Dr. Brian D. Inouye
Anderson, Carlie
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.
Office: 242 BRF Building
Email: cba21@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Emily C. Lemmon
Anthony, Laura
I am interested in the ecophysiology of habitat-forming deep-sea corals. My dissertation research focuses on the environmental drivers that affect the reproductive biology of several reef-forming deep-sea corals around the globe.
Office: 2024 King Building (4295)
Email: lanthony@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Sandra D. Brooke
Second Major Professor: Dr. Don R. Levitan
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Arambarri, Lorea
Investigating the consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury on chromatin features
Email: larambarri@bio.fsu.edu
Homepage: https://sites.google.com/bio.fsu.edu/lnarambarri/home
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis
Atkins, Erica
Office: 4023 King Building (4295)
Email: eatkins@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Darin Rokyta
Awiaga, Collins
Office: 4055 KIN Building
Email: cawiaga@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta
Baughman, Donavan
Email: dbaughman@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Andrew Shantz
Second Major Professor: Dr. Daniel Okamoto
Behrouz Sharif, Shahin
Email: ssharif@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis
Bell, Tracey
Email: tbell@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Steven Lenhert
Benoit, Jane
I am interested in the relationships between chromatin architecture, gene expression, and cellular processes. My projects include characterizing chromatin remodeling events during viral infection, innate immune stimulation, and cancer progression.
Office: 2024 King Building
Email: jbenoit@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis
Best, Rachael
Email: rbest@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Don R. Levitan
Bilodeau, Katherine
Email: kbilodeau@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Kathryn M. Jones
Biton, Rachel
My research interests focus on mangrove ecosystems across Apalachicola Bay. I aim to examine the recent population growth rates of two resident species (Black and Red) across a regional latitudinal gradient. As well as determine what resources (e.g. nutrients, water) and regulators (freezing temperatures) are correlation with mangrove populations. This information will help to better understand how various environmental factors influence mangrove species and their shift in distribution patterns to help future management strategies and predict dispersal responses to environmental changes in an ecosystem.
Email: rb22q@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Josh Breithaupt
Second Major Professor: Dr. Thomas E. Miller
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Blanchette, Allie
I am interested in studying how species interactions and human activities play into the resilience of marine ecosystems. There's also a special place in my heart for farmer damselfish.
Email: ablanchette@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Andrew Rassweiler
Bonilla-Johnson, Annais
Email: amuschettbonilla@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Dean Grubbs
Bouaichi, Cecilia
Email: cgb18d@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Roberto Vincis
Bowman, Randi
I am broadly interested in studying how biodiversity affects ecosystem functioning in coral reef ecosystems. My dissertation research focuses on identifying and predicting spatial and temporal shifts in coral functional diversity in response to anthropogenic stressors, and determining which aspects of functional diversity are key to maintaining high levels of ecosystem functioning in the face of regular disturbance regimes. (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Email: rbowman@bio.fsu.edu
Homepage: https://marinelab.fsu.edu/people/about-our-students/graduate-students/
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Sandra D. Brooke
Second Major Professor: Dr. Thomas E. Miller
Broussard, Emilie
Email: ebroussard2@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta
Carson, Lauren
Email: lacarson@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hong-Guo Yu
Cote, Jason
Email: jcote@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Thomas A. Houpt
Second Major Professor: Dr. Paul Q. Trombley
Dawdy, Ashley
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.
Email: adawdy@bio.fsu.edu
Homepage: https://marinelab.fsu.edu/people/students/gradcurrent/
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Dean Grubbs
Dilliplane, Jacob
Email: jdilliplane@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. James M. Fadool
Dittmar, Abigail
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.
Email: adittmar@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Nora Underwood
Second Major Professor: Dr. Brian D. Inouye
Domen, Adin
I have a general interest in marine ecology, however my current work consists of identifying oyster-based habitat preference in economically important fishes and crustacean species in Apalachicola Bay, FL.
Office: Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory Building
Email: and18h@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Sandra D. Brooke
Second Major Professor: Dr. Joel Trexler
Douglas, AidanDarian
Email: awd20@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Ashwanth Francis
Dubel, Alexandra
Email: adubel@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Andrew Rassweiler
Ebuara, Francis
Office: KIN3004 King Building
Email: fuebuara@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta
Field, Laurel
Laurel’s research focuses on the implementation, tracking, management, and socio-ecological aspects of area-based marine conservation tools. She is also interested in the development of sustainable marine food systems and the compatibility of marine conservation and mariculture goals in ocean spaces.
Office: 4004 KIN Building
Email: lcf22a@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Sarah Lester
Fisher, Gabrielle
Email: gtf17@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Kathryn M. Jones
Fuqua, Emily
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.Â
Email: efuqua@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Sandra D. Brooke
Second Major Professor: Dr. Don R. Levitan
Garg, Yashika
Office: 217 Kasha Building Building
Email: yg19d@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. M. Elizabeth Stroupe
Gebreab, Yacob
Email: ybg16@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Karen McGinnis
Guerrera, Alexa
I am interested in social behavior and how interactions among conspecifics can drive evolutionary processes. Currently, I am studying the effects of male-male competition and female preference on the maintenance of genetic diversity in Trinidadian guppies.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Email: aguerrera@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Kimberly A. Hughes
Guha Roy, Rimil
Office: 3004 KING Life Sciences Building
Email: rg23d@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Debra A. Fadool
Gutierrez, Daniel
I am interested in the evolution of complex social behavior. I study cooperative behavior in Lance-tail Manakins aiming to understand the drivers of behavioral variation in male-male displaying partnerships.
Office: 4004 King Life Science Building Building
Email: dag23@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Emily H. DuVal
Hawkins, Morgan
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.
Email: mehawkins@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Sandra D. Brooke
Second Major Professor: Dr. Janie L. Wulff
Hiott, Daniel
Email: deh23@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. David Thoms
Hoq, Rubel
Email: mhoq@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis
Horacek, Joseph
Email: hhoracek@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Jeroen Ingels
Second Major Professor: Dr. Scott J. Steppan
Hunt, Tyler
Email: thunt@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Gregory M. Erickson
No grad students
Kalpetta Gramathil, Anuvind
In the Yu lab, I work on understanding how chromosome tethering to the nuclear periphery works. Yeast is not just used for baking, but to do science as well! :)
Office: 308 Biology Unit 1 Building
Email: ak22bi@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hong-Guo Yu
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Khadem, Mahdi
Email: mkhadem@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis
Koirtyohann, Kathryn
Major Professor: McGinnis
Email: kmk20cn@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Karen M. McGinnis
Loeven, Ashley
My research interests lie in understanding intracellular signaling that mediates dietary fat-induced inflammation and irreversible loss of olfactory sensory neurons in mouse models.
Email: aloeven@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Debra A. Fadool
Mackey, Calvin
Email: cmackey@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Kathryn M. Jones
Medina, Melanie
I'm interested in reproduction and mate choice of simulataneous hermaphrodites and how this reproductive strategy is a potential mechanism for the maintenance of variation in marine gastropods such as sea slugs.
Email: mrmedina@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Don R. Levitan
Menlove, Bridger
My research interests include obesity, olfaction, and ingestive dysregulatory behaviors. Within these interests I'm currently answering questions regarding effects of chronic CBD use as a neuroprotective agent against obesity and gut induced satiety signaling within the olfactory system. I hope to further investigate peripheral-central communication and dysregulation within obesity.
Current Publications:
Aljobaily, N.; Krutsinger, K.; Viereckl, M.J.; Joly, R.; Menlove, B.; Cone, B.; Suppes, A.; Han, Y. Low-Dose Administration of Cannabigerol Attenuates Inflammation and Fibrosis Associated with Methionine/Choline Deficient Diet-Induced NASH Model via Modulation of Cannabinoid Receptor. Nutrients 2023, 15, 178. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15010178
Office: 3014 King Life Sciences Building
Email: bm23b@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Debra A. Fadool
Metzler, Anna Daniela
Email: am22bs@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hengli Tang
Moe, Brian
Email: bmoe@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Charles Cotton
Second Major Professor: Dr. Joseph Travis
Nabi, Soheila
Email: sn23h@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hong-Guo Yu
Osland, Jared
Email: josland@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Scott J. Steppan
Osuya, Innocent
Office: 519 Kasha Laboratory Building
Email: ioo23a@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Scott Stagg
Panahidizjikan, Zohre
Email: zp23@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Liz Brown
Paniagua Montoya, Monica
I am interested in how differences among conspecific individuals impact interactions, population dynamics and community level processes. In particular, I am interested in the tritrophic interactions of plants, herbivores, and enemies of herbivores.
Email: mpaniagua@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Nora Underwood
Second Major Professor: Dr. Brian D. Inouye
Pluer, Benjamin
I am broadly interested in better understanding the evolution and ecology of microbial symbionts in the digestive system of fish. In particular, I'm interested in identifying the role of digestive system microbial symbionts in alleviating the nutrient loading stress in local freshwater systems, using metagenomic and metaproteomic analysis of key microbial species, to determine contribution to adaptation.
Email: bpluer@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Joseph Travis
Powell, Jackson
My research focuses on the potential for evolutionary rescue in marine invertebrates with complex life cycles. I take a quantitative genetics approach to estimate additive genetic variance in, and genetic correlations between, traits in larval and adult life stages. To estimate these variances and correlations, I conduct breeding designs and environmental manipulations using Molgula occidentalis and Bugula neritina, two invertebrates found in nearby shallow subtidal waters.
Email: jpowell@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Scott Burgess
Qi, Meizhu
Email: mqi@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Debra A. Fadool
Second Major Professor: Dr. Douglas Storace
Rastegarpouyani, Hosna
Email: hr18d@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Kenneth A. Taylor
Redfern, Bryce
Email: bredfern@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Kathryn M. Jones
Renfro, Bobbie
I am generally interested in conducting research, teaching, and public outreach related to tropical marine ecology and anthropogenic disturbance. Specifically, my dissertation research explores the effects of nutrient enrichment on Caribbean reef sponges.
Email: brenfro@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Janie L. Wulff
Robertson, Miles
I am interested in the mechanisms that drive epidemics. I use mathematical models and computer simulations to analyze such disease systems.
Email: mrobertson@bio.fsu.edu
Homepage: https://www.codingetc.com
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Michael Cortez
Ruckman, Sarah
Office: 4055 King Building
Email: sruckman@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Kimberly A. Hughes
Salemi Mokri Boukani, Paria
Email: ps23a@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Douglas Storace
Sayed, Sadia
Email: ssayed@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis
Schull, Shania
Interactions between organisms that share space are complex; this is especially true for coral reefs which boast unparallel biodiversity and whose benthic communities are composed of many taxa. Among these taxa, coral reef sponges and stony corals have unique and critical ecosystem functions; while the corals create reef structure and substrate, the sponges promote water clarity and act as a glue holding the reef together. Relationships between sessile reef organisms are often considered competitive, but a closer look tells us that mutualisms and commensalisms also exist between corals and sponges and may be more common than previously expected. By closely examining the point of contact between corals and sponges in addition to their overall growth and health one can interpret how these important functional groups work together to create some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the Caribbean. Following many pairings of corals and sponge species through time has revealed that coral-sponge interactions can be temporally dynamic and, in some cases, inter- and intra-specifically variable. Consideration for the metrics used to classify interactions as competitive, mutualistic, and commensal and attention to the unique behaviors of coral and sponge species may call for incorporation of multiple taxa (corals and reef sponges) in efficient restoration and conservation efforts in the Caribbean.
Email: sschull@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Janie L. Wulff
Schumm, Matthew
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.
Email: mschumm@bio.fsu.edu
Homepage: https://sites.google.com/view/mschumm
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Daniel Okamoto
Shakeshaft, Morgan
Email: mshakeshaft@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Roberto Vincis
Sheridan, Bianca
Email: bs20dp@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hank Bass
Shi, Yun
My research mainly focuses on Ca2+-dependent thin filament regulation of contraction and cooperative interactions among myofilament proteins in striated muscle, including both skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle. As the Ca2+ sensor of the thin filament, troponin is the major protein that I am particularly interested in. For the projects I am currently involved in, experimental, statistical and computational methods are combined to reveal the characteristics of this protein in both physiological and pathological process, e.g., cardiomyopathy.
Office: 308 Bio Unit 1 Building
Email: yshi@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. P. Bryant Chase
Song, Sixian
Email: songsixian_apply@163.com
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. James M. Fadool
Srinivasan, Divyaa
Email: dsrinivasan@bio.fsu.edu
Homepage: https://www.bio.fsu.edu/~fraserlab/
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Peter Fraser
Sullivan, Jessica
Email: jrs22ba@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Thomas A. Houpt (cbMS)
Tocci, Vincent
Email: vmt19@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Steven Lenhert
Torrence, Kathleen
Email: kgt14@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Scott J. Steppan
Tyagi, Manisha
Email: mt22m@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Ashwanth Francis
No grad students
Waddell, Nick
Email: nwaddell@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jian Feng
Walia, Nidhi
Email: nwalia@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. M. Elizabeth Stroupe
Walton, Barry
Email: bwwalton@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Sandra D. Brooke
Second Major Professor: Dr. Joel Trexler
Westphal, Grace
Email: gwestphal@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Tara Stewart Merrill
Second Major Professor: Dr. Daniel Okamoto
Whalen, Niall
Email: nwhalen@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Gregory M. Erickson
Second Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis
Wintermantel, Michael
Email: mwintermantel@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Sandra D. Brooke
Second Major Professor: Dr. Don R. Levitan
No grad students
Young, Alaina
Tom Miller, Tara Stewart Merrill, and R. Dean Grubbs labs: Evolution and Ecology Area Master's Thesis Student studying Elasmobrach Parasitology
Office: 4055 King Building
Email: aayoung@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Daniel Okamoto
Zhao, Yijing
I am interested in studying the impact of Zika virus on cell cycle progression.
Email: yz18@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hengli Tang