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

Favorite song: Disco eterno

Bernal CV

Abby Bednarski, MSc Student

I am interested in how fish respond to environmental changes, particularly in the context of climate change. I hope to understand how the changing climate is affecting fish populations, genetically and behaviorally. I am also interested in studying the ecosystems these fish inhabit!

Contact: alb0293(at) auburn.edu

Favorite song: Maine

Antrelle Clark, PhD Student

I am interested in understanding the relationships between coastal fishes and environmental fluctuations. My research focuses on understanding responses of killifishes to salinity and temperature, focusing on their gene expression and microbiome.

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

Current Undergraduate Students

Luke Lipien: 2024-Present

Anne Marie Knight: 2024-Present

Wei Wei Guo: 2024-Present

Savannah Britt: 2024-Present

Lane Dominy: 2024-Present

Olivia Gathright: 2023-Present

Katherine Beacher: 2023-Present

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