Lab Members

I strive to provide a fun, collegial environment where talented people can be successful and promote individual career development regardless of career path. Interested in joining the lab? I am able to accept students through both the Departments of Anthropology and Biology, but I am unable to accept any new Biology MS or PhD students at this time. I maybe be able to accept exceptional MA students in Anthropology and may have spots for undergraduate researchers in either Biology or Anthropology, depending on your interest. If you are an undergraduate interested in joining the lab or an Anthropology MS student interested in joining my lab in 2024 or 2025, please check out the Department links for more information on each Department and program. Also, all members of the Grogan lab agree to abide by the Grogan Lab Code of Conduct, the Grogan Lab Mentor-Mentee Agreement (see bottom of the page for more details), and to participate in the creation of an Inclusive and Equitable Environment. If you are still interested in joining the lab, then fill out this form and Dr. Grogan will get back to you.

Katie Grogan, Ph.D.

Email: kathleen.e.grogan@gmail.com, kathleen.grogan@uc.edu

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Dr. Katie Grogan did her Ph.D. at Duke University followed by two 3 year postdoctoral fellowships, one at Emory University and one at Pennsylvania State University. She started as an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Anthropology and Biology at UC in Fall 2020.

Below is my Jan 2024 CV.

Grogan Kathleen CV.pdf

Olayemi Rachael Ajayi, graduate

Olayemi Ajayi is a first year student in the Biological Sciences, Ph.D. program. She graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria with BS, and MS in Zoology. Her research interests are in the areas of Population genetics, Ecology, and conservation. More specifically, she is interested in evaluating the genetic variation of primate species in response to shifting environments caused by extreme weather events and anthropogenic activities. Outside of the Lab, she enjoys cooking and organizing community-based events targeted at teenage girls.

Brady Carr, undergraduate

My name is Brady Carr and I am a anthropology major with a chemistry minor here at the University of Cincinnati. After undergrad I plan to go to graduate school and get a doctorate focusing along the lines of early human evolution and paleoanthropology. In the lab I am working with Dr. Grogan on how the view on evolution has changed from 1850’s until present day along with some molecular genetic research!

Zeke Pierson, undergraduate

Hello! My name is Zeke Pierson and I am a current student at UC studying Anthropology and musicology with a minor in Spanish. My research interests include behavioral primatology and the roles that hormones play in gender roles and sexual expression. The project that I am working on here in the Grogan lab concerns correlations between allele variations in sex steroid receptors and fluctuations in social behavior; with the intention to find loci of note that which we can ascribe certain environmentally specific patterns of behavior.

Elizabeth McGinnis, undergraduate

Elizabeth McGinnis is studying at the University of Cincinnati majoring in Biological Sciences with a concentration in ecology and evolution with a minor in Anthropology. Her interests lie in Paleoanthropology, Ecology, and human evolution studies. Currently, she is working with Dr. Grogan on her projects regarding reproductive success and population genetics in ring-tailed lemurs, as well as genotyping genes of interest.

Kelly Pawlak, undergraduate

Hi! My name is Kelly Pawlak, and I am a transfer student from New Jersey majoring in anthropology, with an interest in biological anthropology specifically. I am here in the lab to learn the basics of wet lab research and to eventually assist on research surrounding the effects of habitat variation and changing environments on gene expression in ring tailed lemurs. After finishing my undergrad, I would love to attend grad school and get my masters in anthropology! Outside of school, I love to cook, read, and go to the gym!

PostDog Maki (left)

Postdog Maki joined the lab 9 years ago and like all postdogs, brings wisdom and stability to the lab.

Assistant Miriam (right)

Miriam joined the lab 3 years ago, but honestly, is still learning the rules. However, she's having a great time and loves to be the fun in every room!