Research Opportunities in the SLU Biology Department

RESEARCH TRACK FACULTY

Stephen Blake, Ph.D. (stephen.blake@slu.edu)

• Keywords: movement ecology and conservation of megavertebrates, tortoises

• Research Description: I work primarily on the movement ecology and conservation of Galapagos tortoises (https://gianttortoise.org/en/). We have fitted GPS and radio tags to over 100 tortoises from three islands and four species and over five orders of magnitude of body mass. We are using the data generated to answer questions about the evolution of movement strategies and the conservation implications in a rapidly changing world. 

In Saint Louis I am part of the Saint Louis Box turtles program (https://www.facebook.com/StLouisBoxTurtleProject), in which with colleagues from the zoo and other local institutions we are studying the movements, health and survival of box turtles and snapping turtles in urban and rural environments. Both programs have eduation and outreach components built in as a key part of program planning and implementation. 

• Lab Website:

• Other Information:

• Accepting Undergraduates? 

Elena Bray Speth, Ph.D. (elena.brayspeth@slu.edu)

• Keywords: biology teaching and learning, college science education

• Research Description: 

• Lab Website: https://sites.google.com/slu.edu/sluberlab/home

• Other Information: Research opportunities for academin credit are available in the Fall and Spring semesters every year. Students should have completed the BIOL 1240/1260 sequence before starting research. Please email to inquire on projects. 

• Accepting Undergraduates? 

Brian Downes, Ph.D. (bdownes1@slu.edu)

• Keywords: pathogen defense, ubiquitination, membrane-anchored Ub-fold proteins

• Research Description: Broadly, the central question in my lab is: How do Membrane-anchored ubiquitin-fold (MUB) proteins in the the eukaryotic cell defend against pathogen invasion? Addressing this question, we use live models ranging from cultured human cells to Arabidopsis thaliana. We also use protein structural biology, where highly purified proteins are examined by NMR, X-Ray Crystallographic, and CryoEM experiments to reveal how MUB proteins assemble and modulate pathogen defensive ubiquitination complexes. Projects include PCR based genotyping and mutant phenotypic analysis, protein chromatography and quantification, and in vitro biochemistry.

• Other Information: Looking for Biology B.S. students prepared to make a multi-year commitment.

• Accepting Undergraduates: Spring 2025

Jonathan Fisher, Ph.D. (fisherjs@slu.edu)

• Keywords: cell metabolism; glucose transport; insulin signaling

• Research Description: After a meal containing carbohydrate, pancreatic cells sense an increase in blood sugar (glucose) and respond by secreting insulin.  Insulin causes a big increase in uptake of glucose into skeletal muscle, the type of muscle that moves the body. Diabetes occurs in large part when skeletal muscle doesn't normally respond to insulin, leading to the high blood glucose concentrations that characterize diabetes.  It is well known that muscle contractions (exercise) cause a sustained increase in the action of insulin to promote glucose transport into skeletal muscle. Our lab focusses on factors that might cause this increased insulin sensitivity of skeletal muscle, especially those mechanisms that potentially underlie the exercise effect on insulin action. Undergraduates contribute by analyzing insulin signaling and assaying effects on metabolic enzymes. The ultimate goal is to shine a light on new mechanisms for improving insulin sensitivity.

• Lab Website: https://sites.google.com/a/slu.edu/fisher-lab/ 

• Other Information: BIOL 3020 and BIOL 3040 are helpful

• Accepting Undergraduates? Not currently

Kasey Fowler-Finn, Ph.D. (fowlerfinn@slu.edu)

• Keywords: behavior, evolution, ecology, anthropogenic change, urbanization, insects, spiders, acoustics

• Research Description: The Fowler-Finn lab studies sex and survival, and their influence on evolutionary change. We investigate how the traits that we see (phenotypes) vary across biotic and abiotic conditions, as well as how flexibility in phenotypes (plasticity) interacts with patterns of genetic variation and environmental features to alter the course of evolution. We explore these questions with experiments using various insects and arachnids.

• Lab Website: www.fowlerfinnlab.com

• Other Information: When inquiring, please include the type of project you are interested in and why, as well as potential career paths you are considering.

• Accepting Undergraduates? Spring 2024

Laibin Huang, Ph.D. (laibin.huang@slu.edu)

• Keywords: 

• Research Description: 

• Lab Website:

• Other Information:

• Accepting Undergraduates? 

Blythe Janowiak, Ph.D. (bjanowia@slu.edu)

• Keywords: host-pathogen interactions, ESKAPE pathogens, antibiotic resistance, antibiotic discovery, microbiology, microbial biochemistry, pathogenesis

• Research Description: The Janowiak lab has two main foci:

1) Glutathione-dependent pathogenesis of Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS). We employ a combination of cell culture experiments, immunological methods, transcriptomics, and CRISPR-Cas techniques to study host-pathogen interactions of GBS.

2) Antibiotic discovery and biotherapeutics against multiple drug resistant bacteria. We employ microbiology methods to screen compounds and environmental bacteria for antibiotic activity against the notoriously hard to treat drug-resistent ESKAPE pathogens.

• Lab Website: https://sites.google.com/a/slu.edu/janowiak-lab/

• Other Information: For project 1, we prefer rising sophomores majoring in biology or neuroscience and who are committed to spending multiple semesters in the lab. For project 2, we prefer students who can either start in the summer or have taken BIOL 4160. I am also the director of SLU Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation (IDBI)'s summer research program in drug discovery and biotherapeutics. Students apply on Handshake and, if selected, will be matched to an IDBI research lab for 8 weeks part-time or 10-weeks full time. 

• Accepting Undergraduates? Not at this time; will be recruiting for Summer 2025 and school year 2025-26 during Spring 2025

Jason Knouft, Ph.D. (jknouft@slu.edu)

• Keywords: freshwater ecosystems, global change, water security

• Research Description: Research on the impacts of microplastics on freshwater systems

• Lab Website: knouftlab.weebly.com

• Accepting Undergraduates? Spring 2024

Laurence Lemaire, Ph.D. (llemaire@slu.edu)

• Keywords: neurodevelopment; metamorphosis; Ciona (invertebrate chordate); Gene regulation

• Research Description: Current projects in the laboratory include the formation of the neural tube in Ciona as well as the gene regulation and the cell types behind the remodeling of its nervous system during metamorphosis. Other developmental topics might be researched depending on the student interests.

• Lab Website: https://www.slu.edu/arts-and-sciences/biology/faculty/lemaire-laurence.php

• Other Information: Students should show a keen interest in developmental biology and more particularly into gene regulation. They should at least have taken Cell Structure and Function (BIOL 3040).

• Accepting Undergraduates? Spring 2024

Zhenguo Lin, Ph.D. (zhenguo.lin@slu.edu)

• Keywords: evolution of genome and gene regulation, phylogenetic analysis

• Research Description: Research includes genomic students using computational/bioinformatic approaches, phylogenetic analysis, molecular biology lab work (including DNA/RNA extraction), mutagenesis, and preparation of samples for sequencing. 

• Lab Website:

• Other Information: Preference for students interested in multi-semester projects

• Accepting Undergraduates? 

Haijun Liu, Ph.D. (hliu004@slu.edu)

• Keywords: protein structural bioinformatics, protein structure and function involved in energy transduction

• Research Description: Gene engineering, and protein and metabolic engineering in bacteria

• Lab Website: https://www.slu.edu/arts-and-sciences/biology/faculty/liu-haijun.php

• Other Information: Preference for students who have completed biochemistry and cell structure and function courses.

• Accepting Undergraduates? Spring 2024

Allison Miller, Ph.D. (allison.j.miller@slu.edu)

• Keywords: plant evolutionary biology and population genomics

• Research Description: Project 1) Characterizing the pattern of (co)variation across vegetative and reproductive traits in annual and perennial species; Research questions: How do vegetative and reproductive traits differ between annual and perennial species? What is the relationship between vegetative and reproductive traits? Project 2) Rootstock and drought effects on whole-plant phenotypes; Research questions: How does rootstock and drought affect root and scion growth and physiology traits?

• Lab Website: https://www.perennialplantdiversity.org/

• Other Information: Please contact Dr. Miller if you have research interests in plant evolution, population genomics, ethnobotany, sustainability, conservation, agriculture, or crop biodiversity

• Accepting Undergraduates? 

Judith Ogilve, Ph.D. (ogilviej@slu.edu)

• Keywords: neuroscience, retinal circuitry, computer-based connectomics

• Research Description: The vertebrate retina is a small portion of the central nervous system that lines the back of the eye. It is comprised of over 50 types of neurons neatly arranged in three cellular layers separated by two plexiform layers in which neuronal processes make the synapses that convey information from the external world to select areas of the brain. Through these synapses, a great deal of visual information processing takes place within the retina. The well established organization of the retina and its accessibility make it an ideal piece of the central nervous system for unraveling general principles of neuronal circuitry. We are using software to annotate neurons and synapses in images obtained through serial block-face scanning electron microscopy and then to characterize and analyze the complex interactions among the different cell types of the primate retina. 

• Lab Website: https://judithogilvie.wixsite.com/mysite 

• Other Information: Preference for students that have completed their freshman year and at least one semester of sophomore year. Priority for CAS majors.

• Accepting Undergraduates? Not currently

Sofia Origanti, Ph.D. (sofia.origanti@slu.edu)

• Keywords: Ribosomes, Translation, Cancer Biology, Ribosomopathies, DNA Repair, Cell Cycle

• Research Description: Our program uses an integrative approach spanning cellular, molecular and biochemical approaches to address basic mechanistic questions related to the fields of translation control, ribosomal function, cell cycle progression and DNA repair mechanisms and to understand their deregulation in disease.

• Lab Website: www.origantilab.org

• Other Information: Interested students should be able to dedicate considerable time for research, especially in the summers. 

• Accepting Undergraduates? Not currently

Cristy Portales-Reyes, Ph.D. (mportalesreyes@slu.edu)

• Keywords: community ecology, plant ecology, biodiversity

• Research Description: Current undergraduate students are helping with a decomposition experiment and will be helping set up a field experiment later in the spring.

• Lab Website: https://portalesbiodiversitylab.com/

• Other Information: Students interested in working outside, and freshmen and sophomore students are encouraged to reach out!! 

• Accepting Undergraduates? Summer 2024

Mohini Sengupta, Ph.D. (msengupta@slu.edu)

• Keywords: neuroscience, spinal cord, zebrafish

• Other Information: some neuroscience background/research experience preferred

• Accepting Undergraduates? Summer 2024

Laurie Shornick, Ph.D. (laurie.shornick@slu.edu)

• Keywords:  immunology, virology, lung

• Research Description: Host immune response to respiratory viral infection

• Lab Website:

• Other Information:

• Accepting Undergraduates? Not currently

Susan Spencer, Ph.D. (sspencer@slu.edu)

• Keywords: cell biology, mitosis, cancer

• Research Description: Students are examining the roles of several proteins in formation of the mitotic spindle and segregation of chromosomes during mitosis. The lab uses a variety of techniques, including cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, biochemistry and protein expression.

• Other Information: Preference given to students who have completed BIOL 3040, but will consider others.

• Accepting Undergraduates? Fall 2024

Thomas Valone, Ph.D. (thomas.valone@slu.edu)

• Keywords: community ecology, conservation biology and animal behavior

• Research Description: 

• Lab Website:

• Other Information:

• Accepting Undergraduates? 

Yuqi Wang, Ph.D. (ywang8@slu.edu)

• Keywords: molecular mechanisms of cell signaling

• Research Description: Identifying novel regulators and/or mechanisms for GPCR signaling, using yeast as a model organism

• Other Information: Preferences will give to students who are motivated, driven, and following the rules.

• Accepting Undergraduates? Summer 2024

Dan Warren, Ph.D. (dwarren4@slu.edu)

• Keywords: comparative physiology, turtles, heart, brain, bone, husbandry

• Research Description:  Our current work is directed at understanding the mechanisms of anoxia (zero oxygen) tolerance in overwintering turtles. One project involves the development of an in vitro system to study neuronal function. A second project involves the study of the heart and its mitochondria. A third examines the effects of development on anoxia tolerance, since adult turtles are better at surviving anoxia than hatchlings.

• Lab Website: thewarrenlab.org

• Other Information: Freshman through Junior. No seniors. Preference given to Biology and Neuroscience majors. Must be comfortable handling turtles. 

• Accepting Undergraduates? Spring 2024

Robert Wood, Ph.D. (robert.wood@slu.edu)

• Keywords: molecular systematics, biogeography, and taxonomy of freshwater fishes

• Research Description: 

• Lab Website:

• Other Information: preference for students interested in multi-semester projects

• Accepting Undergraduates? 

Wenyan Xiao, Ph.D. (wenyan.xiao@slu.edu)

• Keywords: genetics and plant diversity

• Research Description: 

• Lab Website:

• Other Information: Preference for sophomore and junior students interested in genetics and plant biology

• Accepting Undergraduates? 

Fenglian Xu, Ph.D. (fenglian.xu@slu.edu)

• Keywords: Neuroscience, electrophysiology, molecular biology

• Research Description: Study the neuroprotective role of progranulin again hyperglycemic stress in neurons; The role of G-protein coupled estrogen receptor in early neural development

• Lab Website: https://sites.google.com/a/slu.edu/xu-lab/

• Other Information: Students should have great interest in pursing neuroscience, completed general biology courses, freshman and sophomore students are preferred

• Accepting Undergraduates? Fall 2024

Dapeng Zhang, Ph.D. (dapeng.zhang@slu.edu)

• Keywords: genomics, evolution, bioinformatics

• Research Description: 

• Lab Website: https://zhangbioinfo.weebly.com/

• Other Information: Dr. Zhang is looking for highly motivated undergraduate students who are interested in research on bioinformatics, evolution, genomics, and structure. Any new student intern needs to have good literature-reading and essay-writing abilities. 

• Accepting Undergraduates? 

TEACHING TRACK FACULTY

Betsy Angeli, M.S. (ebardon@slu.edu)

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Alaina Baker-Nigh, Ph.D. (abaker12@slu.edu)

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Lindzy Dodson, Ph.D. (lindzy.dodson@slu.edu)

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Benjamin England, Ed.D. (ben.england@slu.edu)

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Eva Gonzales, Ph.D. (eva.gonzales@slu.edu)

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Maximillian Lyon, Ph.D. (maximilian.lyon@slu.edu)

• Keywords: ion channels, mamalian reproduction, sperm, electrophysiology

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Ashley Milam, Ph.D. (ashley.milam@slu.edu)

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Laurie Russell, Ph.D. (laurie.russell@slu.edu)

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Mahboubeh Tavakoli-Nezhad, Ph.D. (m.tavakoli@slu.edu)

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Julie Thole, Ph.D. (julie.thole@slu.edu)

• Accepting Undergraduates? No

Alice Tipton, Ph.D. (atipton4@slu.edu)

• Keywords: plant ecology, plant-microbial interactions, mycorrhizal fungi

• Research Description: We currently have a project exploring the role of artificial light at night and its impact on leaf color change and leaf loss in the fall. 

• Other Information: I usually only have 1 research student per year.

• Accepting Undergraduates? Fall 2024

ASSOCIATED FACULTY

Cheryl Asa, Ph.D., St. Louis Zoo

• reproductive biology, ecology and conservation of reptiles

Kristine Callis-Duehl, Ph.D., Donald Danforth Plant Center

Thomas Croat, Ph.D., Missouri Botanical Garden

• systematics of the Araceae

Anthony Dell, Ph.D., National Great Rivers Research and Education Center

• Dell Ecology Lab

Peter Goldblatt, Ph.D., Missouri Botanical Garden

• systematics, karyology and breeding systems of African Iridaceae

Charles Hoessle, Ph.D., St. Louis Zoo Director Emeritus

• animal conservation, zoo biology and education

Peter Hoct, Ph.D., Missouri Botanical Garden

• systematics and evolution of North American species of Onagraceae

Kevin Kayset, Ph.D., Sigma-Aldrich

• microbiology, enzyme thermostability, thermophilic expression systems 

Peter Kevan Ph.D.

• pollination biology

Sandra Leal, Ph.D., Harris-Stowe State University

• Drosophila eye development

Carmel Martin-Fairey, Ph.D., Harris-Stowe State University

Peter Raven, Ph.D., President Emeritus, Missouri Botanical Garden

• biogeography of seed plants, coevolution of plants and animals, plant systematics