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
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

Anawalt, Juliet
Email: ja25j@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. James Jordan

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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Antonyan, Sona
Email: antonyan@psy.fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Qian Yin
Second Major Professor: Dr. Wen Zhu

Arnold, Zachary
Office: King Life Science Building (4295)
Email: zta20@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Debra Fadool

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, Donaven
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.
Email: dbaughman@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Joel Trexler
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



Bilodeau, Katherine
Email: kbilodeau@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Kathryn M. Jones
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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


Boglaev, Annastassia
Email: aab21n@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis




Broussard, Emilie
Email: ebroussard@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta

Calderon, Cristian
Email: cc21bj@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis

Carson, Lauren
Email: lacarson@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hong-Guo Yu

Chandrashekhar, Sanjana
Email: sc24bc@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. James Jordan

Charles, Tiyanna
Email: tc23bf@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Qian Yin

Cherniak, Sophia
Email: spc22a@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis

Collver, Makayla
Email: mdc21c@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis


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



DePeri, Madison
Email: med23e@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Amy Webster

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

Gebreab, Yacob
Email: ybg16@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Karen McGinnis

Genter, Sarah-Kate
Email: skg23a@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Thomas E. Miller

Giaccone, Alyssa
Email: ajg22i@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis

Goodman, Adam
Email: ag24bc@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Andrew Rassweiler

Gramathil, Anuvind Kalpetta
I am investigating the mechanism and functional significance of telomere tethering to the nuclear periphery in budding yeast. Currently, I study the interplay between the LINC complex and Sir complex during meiosis. 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


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

Holcomb, Jared
Email: jh24e@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

No grad students


Kallam, Yaswanth
Email: yrk23@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Guangxia Miao
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Khadem, Mahdi
Email: mkhadem@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis

Khan, Auroni
Email: ask24e@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Beth Stroupe (FYAC)


Koirtyohann, Kathryn
My research is focused on the molecular biology of plants, primarily maize and peanut. I study regulation of gene expression by RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM), transcription factor binding, and noncoding RNAs. The regulatory landscape of plants is extremely complex, and my goal is to uncover some of these networks of regulatory molecules and genes, particularly those involved in response to abiotic stress.
Office: 2024 King Building
Email: kmk20cn@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Karen M. McGinnis





Mackey, Calvin
Email: cmackey@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Kathryn M. Jones


Martinez-Mackay, Rylee
Email: rmm22b@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Amy Webster

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 lie in understanding the relationship between physiology and behavior of olfactory processes. I'm currently investigating how we can utilize drug therapies and to rescue olfactory function under different types of duress.
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



Muschett-Bonilla, Annais
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.
Email: amuschettbonilla@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Dean Grubbs


Nabi, Soheila
Email: sn23h@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hong-Guo Yu


Ochoa, 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
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Osei, Linda
Email: Lao23d@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. James Jordan
Second Major Professor: Dr. Amy Webster

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

Qi, Meizhu
Email: mqi@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Debra A. Fadool
Second Major Professor: Dr. Douglas Storace



Redfern, Bryce
Email: bredfern@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Kathryn M. Jones

Remedies, Colton
Email: colton.remedies@med.fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa Lyons


Ribeiro Alves, Camilla
Email: cra24c@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. James Jordan


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
I am interested in the genetics of adaptation and what hinders that process. I use Drosophila to understand the genetics of behavior and how other traits, like color patterns, could hinder behavioral adaptation.
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

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. Kimberly A. Hughes

Schuster, Simone
Email: ses24d@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Josh Breithaupt
Second Major Professor: Dr. Austin Mast

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
Second Major Professor: Dr. Ashwanth Francis

Soltis, Grace
Email: gs22n@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Nora Underwood
Second Major Professor: Dr. Brian D. Inouye


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

Torres, Hannah
Email: hst21@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis

Turner, Caileen
Email: cat22@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. David Thoms

Tyagi, Manisha
Email: mt22m@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Ashwanth Francis
Second Major Professor: Dr. Qian Yin

Uddin, Syed Mohammed Ashfaque
Email: su25d@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor:

No grad students

Waddell, Nick
Email: nwaddell@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jian Feng


Whalen, Niall
Email: nwhalen@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Gregory M. Erickson
Second Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis

Williams, Brittney
Email: bcw21b@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Jonathan H. Dennis

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. Austin Mast
