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Amy Krist, Principal Investigator (krist@uwyo.edu). Amy's research interests are broad and include ecological stoichiometry, the ecology and evolution of alpine lakes, and invasion biology in freshwater ecosystems. See the Research tab for more information on current research projects.
Jordan Von Eggers (jvonegge@uwyo.edu), PhD candidate, is co-advised with Bryan Shuman. Jordan focuses on how phytoplankton and zooplankton communities from mountain lakes in the Western United States are influenced by human impacts including non-native fish introductions, climate change, and atmospheric nutrient pollution. To tackle these questions, Jordan sequences the DNA preserved in lake sediment cores dating back a few hundred years to 1) establish baseline conditions and 2) track the transformation of the plankton communities over time. Jordan has also analyzed the living microbes (bacteria and archaea) in lake sediments from 36 lakes in four mountain ranges in Wyoming to see how these communities are affected by the burial process into deeper sediments where there is limited energy available to the microbes (Von Eggers et al. 2024, Environmental Microbiology). Jordan loves to play any racket sport (racquetball, tennis, pickleball) and cross-country skiing.
Spencer Cruz (scruz6@uwyo.edu), PhD student. Spencer is interested in aquatic ecology, invertebrates, ecological stoichiometry, life history traits, and evolution. His current research addresses how trout introductions in alpine lakes change the trait identity of zooplankton assemblages and how zooplankton shift life history strategies following the introduction of a novel predator. Spencer is also investigating the contribution of environment and evolutionary history on stoichiometric traits of odonate larvae. When he is not working on his research, Spencer can be found flyfishing!
Spencer Cruz (scruz6@uwyo.edu), PhD student. Spencer is interested in aquatic ecology, invertebrates, ecological stoichiometry, life history traits, and evolution. His current research addresses how trout introductions in alpine lakes change the trait identity of zooplankton assemblages and how zooplankton shift life history strategies following the introduction of a novel predator. Spencer is also investigating the contribution of environment and evolutionary history on stoichiometric traits of odonate larvae. When he is not working on his research, Spencer can be found flyfishing!
Casey Brucker (cbrucker@uwyo.edu), M.S. student, is co-advised with Sarah Collins. Casey is broadly interested in aquatic, riparian, and winter ecology, especially ecosystem responses to climate change and disturbances. Casey's master's research explores the seasonal patterns in water, seston, and zooplankton stoichiometry in the high elevation plains and montane lakes of southeast Wyoming. Casey enjoys spending time outside skiing, rafting, and mountain biking.
Casey Brucker (cbrucker@uwyo.edu), M.S. student, is co-advised with Sarah Collins. Casey is broadly interested in aquatic, riparian, and winter ecology, especially ecosystem responses to climate change and disturbances. Casey's master's research explores the seasonal patterns in water, seston, and zooplankton stoichiometry in the high elevation plains and montane lakes of southeast Wyoming. Casey enjoys spending time outside skiing, rafting, and mountain biking.
Briante Najev (briante-najev@uiowa.edu), PhD candidate, is co-advised with Maurine Neiman, at the University of Iowa. As a Ph.D. candidate, Briante is studying the ecology and evolutionary biology of the freshwater snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, with a particular focus on the potential for nutrient limitation to drive genome size evolution via life-history trait responses. As a master's student, Briante studied the snail communities of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the effects of human disturbance and urbanization on these communities. Briante enjoys biking, gardening, reading, and Murder, She Wrote.
Briante Najev (briante-najev@uiowa.edu), PhD candidate, is co-advised with Maurine Neiman, at the University of Iowa. As a Ph.D. candidate, Briante is studying the ecology and evolutionary biology of the freshwater snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, with a particular focus on the potential for nutrient limitation to drive genome size evolution via life-history trait responses. As a master's student, Briante studied the snail communities of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the effects of human disturbance and urbanization on these communities. Briante enjoys biking, gardening, reading, and Murder, She Wrote.
Ben Tumolo (btumolo@uwyo.edu), is a postdoctoral fellow, co-advised by Sarah Collins. Ben is a freshwater community ecologist who's work links organisms to ecosystems with a focus on stream invertebrates. When he is not looking under rocks, Ben enjoys the outdoors by skiing, hiking, and biking.
Ted Rittle, is an undergraduate student majoring in Biology. Ted is studying the ecological and evolutionary factors affecting the stoichiometry of juvenile odonates (dragonflies and damselfiles). When Ted is not working on research or classwork, he enjoys playing violin and exploring the Wyoming mountains.
Lab alumni:
Lab alumni:
Arielle Balph, M.S. 2022
Lindsey Boyle, M.S. 2020
Michele Larson, Ph.D. 2018
Danielle Greenwood, M.S. 2018
Tonya Anderson, M.S. 2013
Brenna Hansen, M.S. 2013
Charlotte Narr, M.S. 2011
Heather Thon, M.S. 2011
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