People
Moisés A. Bernal, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Auburn University
331 Funchess Hall
Auburn, Alabama 36849
Email: mab0205(at)auburn.edu
Google Scholar Profile / Twitter
Favorite song: Disco eterno
Antrelle Clark, PhD Student
I am interested in understanding the relationships between comb jellies (specifically Mnemiopsis leidyi) and the amoebae associated with their combs. Specifically, I want to understand the geographic patterns, genetic differentiation and how they are affected by environmental parameters.
Co-supervised by Dr. Anthony Moss
Contact: adc0064(at) auburn.edu
Favorite song: Autumn Leaves
Katherine Eaton, PhD Student
Broadly speaking, I am interested in better understanding the mechanisms by which organisms cope with extreme environmental stress. I am particularly interested in how climate change is affecting marine fishes at the genomic, transcriptomic, and physiological levels. In my graduate research, I aim to investigate the potential for adaptation and/or acclimation to heat stress in populations of marine fishes.
Contact: kme0038 (at) auburn.edu
Favorite song: Operator
Alejandra Fabres, PhD Student
I am a biologist with an interest in evolutionary ecology. In the past I have studied the evolutionary history of taxa that thrive in extreme environments, understanding their phylogenetic relationships and phylogeography. Personally, I am fascinated with natural history, especially marine invertebrates and fish. I also enjoy swimming, free-diving, scuba diving and photography.
Contact: aaf0051 (at) auburn.edu
Favorite song: Asi es como termina
Claire Tracy, PhD Student
Claire is interested in understand the acclimations and adaptations that result from inhabiting environments with different abiotic conditions. For this she is interested in understanding the molecular and physiological adaptations of lineages separated by the isthmus of Panama.
She is co-supervised by Dr. Jamie Oaks.
Contact: cbt0022 (at) auburn.edu
Favorite song: MMMBop
Logan Turner, PhD Student
Logan is interested in better understanding the effects plastics and climate change have on marine fishes both on the individual and ecological level. Logan has a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Florida State University and worked as a Marine Biologist, Underwater Archeologist, and Scientific Diver during his undergrad. His research has encompassed better understanding the spatial distribution of coral and algae cover in French Polynesia, monitoring sea turtle populations in the Galapagos Islands, and investigating the population dynamics of commercial and recreational fish species.
Contact: lft0005 (at) auburn.edu
Favorite song: Oversized
Undergraduate Students
Lyndsay Daigle (2021-Present): Understanding the stress responses to elevated temperature in Abudefduf saxatilis
Lynnsey Bodin (2021-Present): Evaluating critical maximum temperature on coastal marine fishes of the Northern Gulf of Mexico.
Victoria Chavez (2020-Present): Population connectivity of pinfish using mitochondrial markers.
Brandon Waldo (2020-Present): Interested in understanding population genetics of killifish exposed to different salinity regimes using mitochondrial markers.
Alumni
Adam Hallaj, BsC
Laboratory Technician (2020-2021)
Currently: Quality control associate at Biomeme
Favorite Song: Girl from the North Country
Ally Swank MSc Student (2021-2023)
Currently: PhD student at the Davies Lab Boston University
Ally evaluated the effects of heat stress and loss of habitat complexity in the behavior and molecular responses of Abudefduf saxatilis. Ally completed her B.Sc. in Biology from Ball State University. Her undergraduate research focused on changes in fish behavior following exposure to chemical contaminants and micro-plastics.
Contact: ars0151 (at) auburn.edu
Favorite song: Banana Pancakes
Katherine Moore (2020-2021): Undergraduate student, interested in understanding population genetics of killifish exposed to different salinity regimes.
Willie Reams (2020): Undergraduate student, assisted in the amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial markers in blennies of the Gulf of Mexico.
Bernal Lab 2020-2021