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
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
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
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
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
Research interests: I'm interested in how pharmaceutical drugs are developed from plants.
One of my favorite species: Salix babylonica
Graduate, Postdoc and Professional Alumni
Becca Rooney. M.S.
Publication: More info coming soon.
Current position: ORISE Fellow at USDA Midwest Climate Hub since 2023.
Elise Miller, M.S.
Publication: In revision. More info coming soon.
Current position: PhD student with Dr. Dymond since 2022.
Danielle Lake Diver, M.S.
Publication: Accepted. More info coming soon.
Current position: USDA Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory since 2023.
Natalie McMann, M.S.
Publication: Early spring flowers rely on xylem hydration but are not limited by stem xylem conductivity
Current Position: Software Engineer (Irish Titan, MN) since 2023.
Erin O'Connell, M.S.
Publication: Extended leaf phenology has limited benefits for invasive species growing at northern latitudes.
Current position: Research and Conservation Project Coordinator at Tyson Research Center, MI since 2019.
Riley Pizza, M.S.
Research interests: Plant restoration and seed sources
Current position: PhD student at Michigan State since 2020.
Undergraduate Alumni
*Co-authors on manuscripts/publications
Grace Aho*
Noel Tse Nwi
Mady Olson
Anna Haigh*
Gavin Buersken
Lexie Wear*
Jasmine Baerg*
Qadry Fakhreddine*
Britton Vandenheuvel*
Andrew Arthur*
Kailyn Schmitt
Phang Chia Lee
Amber Escobedo
Margaret Martin
Max Bonfig
Thomas Kiecker*
Abigail Roufs
Shauna Blake
Nihaar Joshi
Alex Peichel*
Rishika Quick-Singh
Collin Monette
Sydney Hudzinski
Kennedy Mosher*