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Contact Information:

Phone: (612) 624-6770
Fax: (612) 624-6777
Email: wiggins@umn.edu

University of Minnesota
Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
100 Ecology Building
1987 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108

Department Contacts
Support Staff
Research Associates
Department Directory

Graduate Students

Justin Becknell (beckn026@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jennifer Powers
Research Interests: Climate change, biogeochemistry, ecosystem ecology, tropical forests, secondary forests, and remote sensing.
Study System: Costa Rican tropical dry forest
Degrees Held: B.S. University of Minnesota
Year of Entry into Program: 2007
Website: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~beckn026/

Emily Bruns (bruns094@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Georgiana May
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.A. University of California
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Jessica Burtness (burt0144@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Marla Spivak
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.A. St. Olaf College
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Alma DeAnda (deand003@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Karen Oberhauser
Research Interests:predator-prey dynamics, specifically the role of predators as a regulatory agent in the North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) population. Also, I want to compare this source of mortality relative to abiotic and host plant sources of mortality for the egg and larval stages and determine which one is most important for this population.
Study System: Monarch butterflies
Degrees Held: B.S., Zoology, California State Polytechnic University, 2005
Year of Entry into Program: 2005

Leah Domine (lauri050@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jim Cotner
Research Interests: My research focuses on analyzing the degree of carbon sequestration in wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region, and how mechanisms influencing carbon cycling (such as primary productivity, lake-atmosphere exchange, and decomposition) affect carbon sequestration in clear and turbid lakes.
Study System: Shallow lakes in the Prairie Pothole Region
Degrees Held: M.S. Zoology, Miami University, 2005 and B.A. Zoology, North Dakota State University, 2003
Year of Entry into Program: 2005

Matthew Dufort (dufor003@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Keith Barker
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.A. Carleton College
Year of Entry into Program: 2008

William Eddy (eddyi001@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Sarah Hobbie
Research Interests: Microbial Ecology, Biogeochemistry, Ecosystem Ecology, Plant Physiological Ecology, Landscape Ecology -- form a global change perspective.
Study System: Terrestrial Ecosystems, especially northern forests.
Degrees Held: B.S (Biology). Baldwin-Wallace. M.S. (Natural Resources and Environment) University of Michigan
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Meghan Funke (funk0062@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jim Cotner
Research Interests: I am interested in the physical, chemical and biological processes that affect the availability of dissolved organic matter for microbial consumption. For my dissertation, I will be examining the effects of increased variability of hydrologic fluxes due to climate and land use change on the availability of dissolved organic carbon for microbial consumption in lakes.
Study System: Northern temperate, freshwater lakes.
Degrees Held: B.A. (Architecture), University of Minnesota, 2006; B. of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2006
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Maria Gei (geixx001@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jennifer Powers
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: Licenciatura, University of Costa Rica
Year of Entry into Program: 2008

Thomas Giarla (giarl002@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Sharon Jansa
Research Interests: My research focuses on understanding the geographic and ecological forces that influence speciation and diversification, specifically in small mammals. I am interested in applying molecular systematics, ecological niche modeling, and population genetics techniques to pursue these topics.
Study System:Didelphid marsupials
Degrees Held: B.A., Biology, Washington University, 2007
Year of Entry into Program: 2007
Website: http://www.umn.edu/~giarla

Casey Godwin (godwi018@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jim Cotner
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S., Cornell College
Year of Entry into Program: 2008

Paul Gugger (gugg0030@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jeannine Cavender-Bares
Research Interests: phylogeography, postglacial migration, adaptive response to climate change, evolution of drought tolerance
Study System : Douglas-fir
Degrees Held: B.S. Biology, Duke University, 2003
Year of Entry into Program: 2004

Dominik Halas (hala0028@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Andrew Simons
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S., University of Toronto, Evolutionary Biology, 2001
Year of Entry into Program: 2005

Dustin Haines (hain0072@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Diane Larsen
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S. Biology, Northwest Missouri State University, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, 1993
Year of Entry into Program: 2004
[Dustin's Homepage]

Mitchell Haustein (haus0126@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Robert Sterner
Research Interests:Aquatic ecosystem ecology; ecological stoichiometry; effects of urbanization on aquatic habitats
Study System:Lakes spanning a gradient of watershed urbanization within the Twin Cities metropolitan area
Degrees Held: B.A., University of St. Thomas, Biology, 2006
Year of Entry into Program: 2006

Peter Hawthorne (hawt0010@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Dave Tilman
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S., Harvard University, Mathematics, 2004
Year of Entry into Program: 2005

Michael Hirt (hirt0021@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Andrew Simons
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: M.S., John Carroll University, 2006; B.S. University of North Carolina, 2002
Year of Entry into Program: 2006

Jim Hood (hoodx008@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jacques Finlay and Robert Sterner
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: M.A. Zoology, Miami University, 2000; B.A. Biology, Lawrence University, 1997 Year of Entry into Program: 2003

Chih-Ming Hung (hungx037@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Robert Zink
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S., and M.S. National Taiwan University
Year of Entry into Program: 2008

Margaret Kosmala (kosm0025@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Craig Packer and David Tilman
Research Interests: interspecific interactions, spatial processes
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S., Brown University
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Emily Love (love0251@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Mark Bee
Research Interests: animal behavior, acoustic communication, mate choice, spatial segregation
Study System: Frogs
Degrees Held: B.A., Biology, College of St. Catherine, 2004

Benjamin Lowe (lowe0160@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Ken Kozak
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology of Reptiles and Amphibians
Study System: Southern Appalachian salamanders
Degrees Held: B.S. Humboldt State University, M.S. San Diego State University

Amy Luxbacher (luxb0001@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Ken Kozak
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S. Ohio Wesleyan University

Bailey McKay (mckay117@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Robert Zink
Research Interests: Speciation, Systematics, Comparative Biology
Study System: Birds
Degrees Held: B.S. Samford University, M.S., Auburn University
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Deus Cyprian Mjungu (cypr0003@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Anne Pusey
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S. Zoology & Wildlife Ecology, University of Dar Es Salaam, 2001
Year of Entry into Program: 2003

Annika Moe (moex0125@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): George Weiblen
Research Interests: phylogeography and population genetics
Study System:
Degrees Held: BA, Biology, Hendrix College, 2004
Year of Entry into Program: 2005

Emily Mohl (mohlx006@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): George Heimpel
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: BA, Grinnell College
Year of Entry into Program: 2008

Daniel Nidzgorski (dnidz@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Sarah Hobbie
Research Interests: Nutrient cycling (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) in human-dominated landscapes; spatial heterogeneity and boundary interactions
Study System: Anoka and Ramsey Counties, Minnesota
Degrees Held: BS, Earth Systems, Stanford University
Year of Entry into Program: 2008

Lisa O'Bryan (obry0017@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Michael Wilson
Research Interests: animal behavior, acoustic communication, animal cognition
Study System: chimpanzees, Gombe National Park, Tanzania
Degrees Held: BS,Texas A&M University
Year of Entry into Program: 2008

Emily Peters (pete1679@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Joe McFadden
Research Interests: Understanding how urban vegetation influences ecosystem processes, and specifically how trees influence urban carbon and water budgets.
Study System: The urban residential ecosystem of Roseville, Minnesota.
Degrees Held: B.S., Ecology & Evolution, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2002
Year of Entry into Program: 2005

Beth Pettitt (pett0033@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Mark Bee
Research Interests: behavioral ecology, animal communication, sexual selection, parental care
Study System: I am interested in the role acoustic communication plays in male-male aggressive interactions and female mate choice in two species of neotropical frogs that exhibit biparental care.
Degrees Held: M.S., University of Central Florida, 2006; B.A., College of St. Benedict, 1995
Year of Entry into Program: 2006

Katherine Phillips (phil8620@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Robert Sterner
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S., Chemistry, 2002; B.A., Communication Studies, 2003, University of Minnesota
Year of Entry into Program: 2005

Alexis Powell (apowell@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Scott Lanyon
Research Interests: avian evolution and systematics
Study System:
Degrees Held: M.A., Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, 2004; M.S., Education, University of Kansas, 1998; B.A., Biology, Grinnell College, 1992
Year of Entry into Program: 2005

Kristina Prescott (presc030@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): David Andow
Research Interests: ecological and evolutionary impacts of introduced species, biological control, oviposition behavior
Study System: lady beetles in agro-ecosystems
Degrees Held: B.A. Grinnell College
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Rachel Putnam (putn0048@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Dave Tilman and Peter Reich
Research Interests: Climate change and species diversity
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.A., Carleton College, 2001
Year of Entry into Program: 2006

Gina Quiram (quira012@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jeannine Cavender-Bares and Ruth Shaw
Research Interests: I am interested in the evolutionary consequences of invasive species management. I am currently developing a project to understand how the introduction of biological control agents has affected the evolutionary trajectory of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) specifically herbivore defense traits. I believe that characterizing the long-term consequences of invasive species control is critical when considering the risks and sustainability of management programs.
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Joseph Reid (reid0058@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jacques Finlay
Research Interests: temporal variability in ecosystems, biogeochemistry, ecosystem connectivity, resource pulsing
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S. University of Wisconsin
Year of Entry into Program: 2007


Michael Simone (simo0377@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Marla Spivak
Research Interests: behavioral ecology, social insects, behavioral mechanisms of disease resistance, behavioral physiology, sexual selection, ichthyology
Study System: Honey bees
Degrees Held: B.S., B.A., Marine Biology & English, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, 2003
Year of Entry into Program: 2003
Statement: My current research is focusing on behavioral mechanisms of disease resistance by honey bees. Specifically I am working on projects concerning the olfactory sensitivity of hygienic bees (bees that remove diseased brood) and the physiological mechanisms behind this behavior. However my current research is directed toward propolis-a hive product made of plant resins with high levels of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and the mechanisms of its use and collection by honey bees.

John Stanton-Geddes (stant067@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Ruth Shaw and Peter Tiffin
Research Interests: plant-insect and multitrophic interactions, adaptive response to climate change
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.A., Amherst College, 2004
Year of Entry into Program: 2006

Megan Strauss (strau102@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Craig Packer
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S., University of Michigan, 2003
Year of Entry into Program: 2006

Alexandra Swanson (swan1022@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Craig Packer
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S., University of Virginia, 2005
Year of Entry into Program: 2009

Hariet Van Vleck (vanv0057@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jennifer King
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.A. Geology-Environmental Studies, Bowdoin College, 2001
Year of Entry into Program: 2004

Jordan Wein (weinx003@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Dave Stephens
Research Interests: Foraging ecology
Study System: Blue Jays
Degrees Held: B.S., North Dakota State University
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Pamela Weisenhorn (weise088@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Jennifer Powers, Sarah Hobbie
Research Interests: Microbial physiological ecology, biogeochemical cycling, and ecosystem ecology
Study System:
Degrees Held: B.S. Louisiana State University
Year of Entry into Program: 2007

Emily Wroblewski (wrob0042@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Anne Pusey
Research Interests: Discovering Chimpanzees
Study System: chimpanzees, Gombe National Park, Tanzania
Degrees Held: B.S. Biology, DePaul University, 2000
Year of Entry into Program: 2003

Xiao Yi (yixxx076@umn.edu)
Advisor(s): Antony Dean
Research Interests:
Study System:
Degrees Held: BS, Zhongshan University
Year of Entry into Program: 2008