Members

Dr. Jessica Savage (she/her)

Associate Professor

Research interests: My research is aimed at uncovering how plant physiology impacts plant-environment interactions. Recently, my research has focused on seasonal changes in vascular transport and phloem transport. Associate of the Institute of the Environment.

One of my favorite species: Salix candida

jsavage@d.umn.edu

Google Scholar page

Orcid and ResearchID

Dr. Dustin Ray (he/his)

Postdoc

Research interests: My research focuses on structure-function relationships within leaves and stems. My past work focused on tradeoffs between structural support and physiological function within the petioles of Pelargonium (L'Her). In the Savage lab, I am studying phloem structure and physiology.

One of my favorite species: Pelargonium tetragonum

rayd@d.um.edu

Website

Google Scholar Page

Amelie LeTierce (she/her)

M.S. student

Research interests: I research how environmental and organismal interactions modulate energy, resource, and information flows in plants, and the impact of these changes on plant development and reproductive success. In the Savage lab I am investigating how phloem traits relate to flower development.

One of my favorite species: Sassafras albidum

letie001@d.umn.edu

Annie Peterson (she/her)

M.S. student

Research interests: I'm interested in the effects of climate change on plant communities and associated adaptations/resilience for species in the Lake Superior region.

One of my favorite species: Betula papyrifera

apeters2@d.umn.edu

Undergraduates

Phalaenopsis amabilis

Nicole Nelson (she/her)

Technician

Research interests: My current research interest is how species from other areas of the world thrive in the climate we are in. I find it interesting how plants are able to keep their natural growing cycle despite being in a new area.

One of my favorite species: Liatris spicata

Caleb Jones (he/him)

Technician

Research interests: I’m interested in aquatic plants and Minnesota’s native trees and grasses. I’d like to study how a variety of aquatic plants handle increasing salinity in wetlands.

One of my favorite species: Utricularia vulgaris

Nate Doeringsfeld (he/him)

Technician

Research interests: I’m very interested in biological mutualism between plants and animals. Such as the African Acacias, which are trees that grow special thorny structures that give nectar to ant colonies who live inside to protect the tree!

One of my favorite species: Phalaenopsis amabilis

Monica Ruuska (she/her)

Technician