Zach Gompert, Professor

Zach is broadly interested in evolutionary biology, genomics and ecology. The overarching focus of his research is to advance understanding of the genomic and ecological factors that drive adaptation and the origin of species. He is especially interested in (i) the basis and nature of species boundaries and how new species arise; (ii) the predictability of evolution and ecology, particularly what limits the predictability and repeatability of evolutionary and ecological change; (iii) the material basis of adaptation and trait variation; (iv) rates of evolution; and (v) the processes and factors that determine genetic diversity withing populations and species, especially for genes of adaptive significance. He works primarily with insect systems, and his research integrates field collections, laboratory and field experiments, DNA sequencing, population genomic analyses, trait mapping, and the development of theory and methods.

Lauren Lucas, Research Scientist & Senior Lecturer

Lauren is interested in biology education and evolutionary biology. Her current work focuses on the evolution of butterfly wing patterns and the ecological causes and evolutionary consequences of temporally fluctuating selection in Lycaeides butterflies.

Diana Tataru, Postdoctoral Researcher

Diana is broadly interested in how the forces of gene flow and natural selection interact to shape population structure, traits, and larger scale patterns of speciation and biodiversity. Diana is curious how these forces play a role in adaptation and persistence in harsh environments. More specifically, Diana’s work has focused on i) adaptation to alpine environments in Monkeyflowers ii) patterns and forces driving recurring complex hybridization iii) the role of structural variants in shaping species boundaries and adaption in Lycaeides butterflies.

Anthony Reis, PhD Student

Anthony is interested in population genetics and evolutionary biology with specific research interests in understanding and predicting  species’ response to climate change. He is currently working on predictive models of butterfly communities in the Sierra Nevada.

Bhagya Amarasinghe, PhD Student

Bhagya is interested in evolutionary biology, biogeography and population genetics, with specific interest on hybridization and speciation. Her current work focuses on the causes and history of diversification and speciation in Lycaeides butterflies.

Brian Kissmer, PhD student

Brian is broadly interested in evolutionary biology and population genetics, with specific research interests in advancing understanding of the factors that determine the predictability and repeatability of adaptive evolution. His current work uses experimental evolution in  Callosobruchus maculatus seed beetles to address these questions.

Alia Donley, MS student

Alia has a general interest in evolutionary biology, with specific interests in using ancient DNA to understand patterns of hybridization and climate adaptation over time. Her current work uses museum genomics in Lycaeides and other butterflies to test the causes of recent and ongoing evolutionary change in nature.

Kyra Preston, Undergraduate Researcher

Zoe Knudsen, Undergraduate Researcher

Former Students and Postdocs

Linyi Zhang, Postdoc (2020-2021), Assistant Professor at George Washington University in fall 2023

Amy Springer, PhD student (2016-2023), now a Research Scientist and Lab Manager for the Wisconsin Fishery Research Unit

Tara Saley, PhD Student (2017-2019), now an Engineering Consultant at Environmental Resources Management in Salt Lake City

Samridhi Chaturvedi, PhD Student (2014-2019), Assistant Professor at Tulane University

Alex Rego, MS student (2016-2019); now a Post-doctoral Researcher at Stockholm University

Jacqueline Peña, MS student (2017-2019); now a PhD student in Jill Anderson’s lab at the University of Georgia

Natalie Yoho, Undergraduate Researcher

Daniel Johnson, Undergraduate Researcher and NSF REPS scholar (2019-2022); now a research scientists with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Kenen Goodwin, Undergraduate Researcher (2017-2020); now a PhD student at Oregon State University

Zach Valois, Undergraduate Researcher (2013-2015),

Peter Nelson, Undergraduate Researcher (2013-2015)

Robert Olsen, Undergraduate Researcher (2014-2015)

Alberto de Rosa, Graduate Researcher (2014-2015)