Dr. Alycia Lackey - Principal Investigator
B.S. in Biology - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Ph.D. - Michigan State University. Postdoc - Murray State University Postdoc - Binghamton University Alycia has always been fascinated by the interplay between how populations respond to their environments and how new species evolve. Throughout her career, she has worked with spadefoot toads, stickleback fish, mole salamanders, and Rhagoletis flies and their parasitoid wasps. In addition to research, teaching, and mentoring, Alycia loves being outdoors to hike and kayak, dancing (salsa, hip hop, and ballet), and spending time with her family. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @acrlackey |
Sophia Anner - Ph.D. student
B.S. in Biology - University of Denver Sophia is interested in the interactions between sexual selection and natural selection, especially through the lens of behavior and communication. As an undergraduate, Sophia studied maternal effects and courtship interactions in the Pacific field cricket and upon graduating, she continued working with the crickets as a lab tech investigating the effects of anthropogenic noise. Sophia's current research investigates courtship interactions and trait variation within and between Rhagoletis species. Sophia also spending time with friends and being outside to hike, climb, and camp. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @sophiaanner |
Shayna Earl - Ph.D. student
B.A. in Environmental Biology - Washington University in St. Louis Shayna is interested to understand how genetic and genomic variation in populations can impact adaptation across geographic and temporal gradients, especially in response to climate change. Her undergraduate work addressed questions about rapid evolution and sexual selection in the Trinidadian Guppy. Shayna is motivated to apply her future work to conservation. Outside of research, Shayna likes to spend as much time outside as possible, hiking and exploring the outdoors. She also loves to cook, read, and play with her cat. Email: shayna.rosenbloom@louisville.edu Twitter: @shaynerdori |
Olivia Weaver - Ph.D. student
B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - University of California, Santa Cruz Olivia is broadly interested in behavioral ecology and herpetology, especially related to altruism and other social behaviors. During her undergrad at UCSC, Olivia studied the thermal preference of Dicamptodon and Ambystomatid salamanders and mimicry in Ensatina salamanders and blenny fish. During her Ph.D., she plans to study the interplay between kin recognition, paedomorphosis, and mate choice in Ambystomatid salamanders. Olivia likes reading sci-fi and fantasy novels and hiking with her energetic mutt Derby. Email: olivia.weaver@louisville.edu |
Jenna Burns - NIH-PREP post-bacc researcher
B.S. in Zoology - Kentucky Wesleyan College Jenna is interested in studying consequences of light and noise pollution on physiology, behavior, and evolution. As an undergraduate, she studied decision-making behaviors regarding prey choice in wolf spiders. During her year-long post-bacc program, Jenna will study effects of Artificial Light at Night on fly developmental timing, activity, sleep, survival, and fecundity. Jenna likes riding horses, hiking, camping, baking, lifting weights, and spending time with her friends, family, boyfriend, and dogs. She is also passionate about environmental education and outreach. Email: jenna.burns.1@louisville.edu |
Brooke Cole - Undergraduate researcher
B.A. in Biology & French, 2025 Brooke is interested in astrobiology, and, in the future, hopes to study how life sustains itself in extreme climates like in the deep sea to understand how life could emerge on other planets. She is currently working on evaluating population differences in behavior and morphology in multiple species of walnut flies. Brooke also enjoys practicing flute and piano, cooking, and organizing events as the vice president of the UofL French Club. |
Naomi Frese - Undergraduate researcher
B.S. in Biochemistry, Minor in Public Health, 2025 Naomi's research interests include understanding organismal relationships with hosts and their environment, including effects of climate change and chemical interactions. Naomi is currently exploring how black walnut trees as a host plant affect survival rates in Rhagoletis suavis flies. Naomi also likes journaling, hiking with her family, painting, and watching movies. |
Rachel Klotz - Undergraduate researcher
B.S. in Biology, 2025 My research interests include ecology and genetics, especially genetic responses to environmental change and how this applies to conservation. I am currently contributing to research examining how prey availability affects larval spotted salamander body size, CORT expression, and/or metamorphosis timing. Outside of research, I enjoy exploring the city with friends to find new coffee shops, spending time outdoors, teaching ballet and tap classes to little kids, and photographing sporting events at the university. |
Marlee Mincher - Undergraduate researcher
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Lab Alumni
Rowan Ward - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2023
Myia Alizadeh - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2023
Nicholas Sea - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2024
Alyssa Wilson - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2023
Alex Scheper - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2023
Maisie Whitsett - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2022
Jasmine Fletcher - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2024
Davis Hampson - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2022
Rowan Ward - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2023
Myia Alizadeh - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2023
Nicholas Sea - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2024
Alyssa Wilson - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2023
Alex Scheper - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2023
Maisie Whitsett - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2022
Jasmine Fletcher - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2024
Davis Hampson - Undergraduate Researcher - B.S. in Biology, 2022
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