FSU Biology - Directories - Graduate Students

Graduate Students

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Each graduate student belongs to one of three administrative areas:

A

Abotsi, Alberta

Email: ama23e@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

Adewole, Taiwo

Email: tsa23@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

Agbola, Paul

Email: psa23b@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

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

Akram, Sara

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

Antonyan, Sona

Email: antonyan@psy.fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor:

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

Email: cka23a@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta

B

Bass, Marena

Email: mbass@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Thomas A. Houpt

Baughman, Donavan

Email: dbaughman@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Andrew Shantz
Second Major Professor: Dr. Daniel Okamoto

Beatty, Curissa

Email: crb22l@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor:

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

Bernstein, Amber

Email: amb20m@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor:

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

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

Bradshaw, Lillie

Email: lb22l@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Sarah Lester

Broussard, Emilie

Email: ebroussard2@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta

C

Carroll, Christopher

Office: 2024 King Building
Email: crcarroll@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor:

Carson, Lauren

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

Chitaman, Javed

Email: jchitaman@neuro.fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Jian Feng

Cote, Jason

Email: jcote@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Thomas A. Houpt
Second Major Professor: Dr. Paul Q. Trombley

D

Datta, Ishwaree

Email: ishwareedatta94@gmail.com
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Erdem Bangi
Second Major Professor: Dr. Hank W. Bass

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

Dehn, Jessica

Email: jnd22b@fsu.edu
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

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. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

Dubel, Alexandra

Email: adubel@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Andrew Rassweiler

E

Ebuara, Francis

Office: KIN3004 King Building
Email: fuebuara@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta

Ellsworth, Schyler

Email: sellsworth@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta

F

Fang, Yu

Email: yf23c@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

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

Fillmore, Leslie

Email: lsf21b@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Alice A. Winn

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 organismâ€™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

G

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. Fanxiu Zhu

Genter, Sarah

Email: skg23a@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Thomas E. Miller

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

Email: rg23d@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Debra A. Fadool

Gullett, Lily

Email: lsg19a@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Thomas A. Houpt (cbMS)

Gutierrez, Daniel

Email: dag23@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Emily H. DuVal

H

Hawkins, Morgan

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. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

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

I

No grad students

J

Jackson, Emma

Email: esj19@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Dean Grubbs

Jaco, Benton

My studies focus on marine algae. Algae are ubiquitous throughout the oceans and their impacts are just as far reaching. Currently, I am studying how allelopathic interactions impact the development and proliferation of the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis - the species responsible for Florida's 'Red Tides'. These harmful blooms release toxins which kill hundreds of tons of marine life annually and negatively impact human health. By studying allelopathic interactions between K. brevis and other algal species I hope to uncover novel means to alleviate this damage. In the future, I would like to investigate marine drug discovery, HAB monitoring, algae biofuel production and algae based material production in an academic or industrial setting.

Email: Brj18k@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Janie L. Wulff

Jones, Luke

In the Houle lab, I use experimental evolution/artificial selection and whole-genome resequencing, to research parallel genetic evolution between evolved populations of D. melanogaster and D. simulans. These two closely related species offer the ability to evaluate the predictability of genetic evolution in response to an identical selection pressure.

Email: ltjones@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. David Houle

K

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

Kaplan, Graham

Email: gkaplan@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Jian Feng

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

L

Lawrence, Kylie

Email: klawrence@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta

Levine, Jeremy

Email: jjl19g@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Joel Trexler

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

M

Mackey, Calvin

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

Marques, Mariela

Email: mmarques@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Roberto Vincis

Martinez, Mardeliz (Marty)

Email: mmartinez@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Scott Burgess

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

Munstermann, Maya

My research currently focuses on the effects of climate change, such as increasing sea surface temperatures and marine heat waves, on a key marine herbivore, the purple sea urchin (Stongylocentrotus purpuratus) in California kelp forest ecosystems. More specifically, I focus on responses to thermal stressors during both larval and adult life history stages, which can provide important information on the population dynamics of this species, and ultimately the dynamics of kelp forests.

Email: mmunstermann@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Daniel Okamoto

N

Nabi, Soheila

Email: sn23h@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

Nudalo, Isanze

Email:
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Alice A. Winn

Nystrom, Gunnar

Email: gnystrom@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Darin R. Rokyta

O

Osland, Jared

Email: josland@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Scott J. Steppan

Osuya, Innocent

Email: ioo23a@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

P

Panahidizjikan, Zohre

Email: zp23@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

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

Payne, John (Levi)

Email: jlp21k@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Thomas A. Houpt (cbMS)

Pichardo, Fritz

Email: fpichardom@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Austin R. Mast

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

Q

Qi, Meizhu

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

Quintero Rodriquez, Maria

Email: mquintero@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Erdem Bangi

R

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

Remedies, Colton

Email: ceremedies@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Jian Feng

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

Ridall, Aaron

I am broadly interested in understanding how anthropogenic pollution is affecting marine environments. I am particularly interested in how the presence of microplastics changes ecosystem function in subtidal sediments. My current research focuses on quantifying the effects of microplastics on bioturbation and biochemistry, specifically oxygen availability and nitrogen cycling, in the subtidal sediments of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Email: aridall@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Jeroen Ingels

Rivers, Pearl

My dissertation research investigates the causes and consequences of variability in mate choice in a tropical lekking passerine bird. By examining variation within and between mate choice bouts in relation to neglected signaling modes and across long temporal scales, I hope to better understand the axes of variation in mate choice and their effects on the evolutionary outcomes of sexual selection.

Email: privers@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Emily H. DuVal

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

Robinson, Noel

Email: hnrobinson@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Joel Trexler

Rowe, Joshua

Email: jbr22f@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Austin R. Mast

Roy, Sayantan

Office: 0517 Kasha Laboratory Building Building
Email: sr17h@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Qian Yin

Ruckman, Sarah

Office: 4055 King Building
Email: sruckman@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Kimberly A. Hughes

S

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. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

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

Soltis, Grace

Email: gs22n@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Nora Underwood

Song, Sixian

Email: songsixian_apply@163.com
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. James M. Fadool

Spindel, Nathan

My goal is to advance our understanding of how trophic dynamics and environmental change affect the metabolic ecology of size-structured populations. I currently study marine invertebrates in temperate kelp forest and tropical coral reef ecosystems as model organisms for understanding these dynamics.

Email: nspindel@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Daniel Okamoto

Squafi, Selma

Email: sjs22f@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Joel Trexler

Srinivasan, Divyaa

Email: dsrinivasan@bio.fsu.edu
Homepage: https://www.bio.fsu.edu/~fraserlab/
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Peter Fraser

Storch, Natalie

Email: nstorch@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons

Sullivan, Jessica

Email: jrs22ba@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Thomas A. Houpt (cbMS)

T

Tocci, Vincent

Email: vmt19@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

Torrence, Kathleen

Email: kgt14@fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Scott J. Steppan

Turner, Jesse

I am interested in the 3D organization of chromatin within the nucleus and how that relates to other nuclear functions, such as transcription and DNA replication. My current project in the lab is investigating early replication control elements (ERCEs), a discrete class of cis-regulatory elements that act as "enhancers of early replication," but also have roles in maintaining sub-nuclear compartmentalization, transcription, and TAD structure. (he/him/his)

Office: 3070 King Life Science Building Building
Email: jturner@bio.fsu.edu
Homepage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesselturner3/
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hank W. Bass

Turpin, Zachary

Email: zturpin@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hank W. Bass

Tyagi, Manisha

Email: mt22m@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Lisa C. Lyons (FYAC)

U

Urlich, Paola

Email: pu19@fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hengli Tang

V

Vouzas, Athanasios

Email: avouzas@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Cell and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Dr. Hank W. Bass

W

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

Werner, Austin

Email: amwerner@fsu.edu
Area: Neuroscience
Major Professor: Dr. James M. Fadool

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

Whitcher, Courtney

I am broadly interested in the evolution of visual and auditory signals in anuran communication and sexual selection. My current project focuses on examining the role of biofluorescence in mate choice and predation of frogs.

Email: cwhitcher@bio.fsu.edu
Area: Ecology & Evolution
Major Professor: Dr. Emily C. Lemmon