The Team
The Team
This is by no means an exhaustive list, nor it is arranged in any particular order.
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(Photo Credit: Jacob Suissa)
First, I would like to acknowledge my advisor Dr. Jacob Suissa. He is one of the smartest, kindest, and enthusiastic people I have ever met. He has been such a great mentor throughout the whole process- helping answer my many questions, encouraging me to follow my passions and interests, and creating a supportive environment where I can grow into the pteridologist I was always meant to be.
Committee Members
Committee Members
Along with Dr. Suissa, I am very fortunate to have three other amazing committee members, Dr. Ben Fitzpatrick, Dr. Jessica Budke, and Dr. Alycia Stigall. All of whom have unique talents that will help me throughout my project.
Dr. Fitzpatrick is a 'card-caring population geneticist' who will help me answer questions about this far flung fern, and maybe help me get over my fear of reptiles.
(Photo Credit: Ben Fitzpatrick)
Dr. Stigall is an amazing paleobiologist, who studies the biogeography and ecology of ancient brachiopods- clearly superior to mussels in every way.
(Photo Credit: Alycia Stigall)
Dr. Budke is a brilliant bryologist, who has extensive experience in natural history collections as she is the Curator of the UTK Herbarium.
(Photo Credit: Jessica Budke)
The EEB 2023 Graduate Cohort Nondenominational Winter Holiday Celebration of Gift Giving (Photo Credit: Sam Skerlec).
Graduate Cohort
Graduate Cohort
I am thankful for my graduate student cohort of friends who offer advice and support, teach me incredible things about their study system, and are some of the best friends I could ask for.
Pictured (starting in the first row, left to right): Emmy James, Sam Skerlec, Ainun Nadhifah, Tonika Birmley, Sydney Baldwin, Trina Cho. (second row, left to right) Henley Sartin, Izzy Hildesheim, Lorren Politano, Logan Rakes, Na’imah Bradley, Amanda Chandler, Jessica Hammonds, Dusty Prater, and Roman Sharnuud.
Mentors
Mentors
Dr. Williams was critical in my application to my program. He was the one who first introduced me to Dr. Suissa, and I am eternally grateful for that. He continues to support me by letting me join in his lab meetings where we discuss and learn about the mechanisms and consequences of evolutionary change in plants.
(Photo Credit: Joe Williams)
Dr. Cox has been such a big help in both my undergraduate and graduate career, as she started my "Pteridomania". She has recently helped me identify possible locations to collect Sensitive Ferns from.
(Photo Credit: Layla Dishman)
(Future) Dr. Abby Ireland
(Future) Dr. Abby Ireland
Abby has been such a great mentor in both my undergraduate and graduate career- whether it be answering a question about plant diversity and evolution, holding my hand as I fill out paper work, or making my day by talking about Pseudogymnoascus taxonomy.
(Photo Credit: Abby Ireland)
Dr. Mikucki, the world's leading expert on subglacial microbial ecosystems and a sagacious astrobiologist, has been such a positive influence in my academic career. She always pushed me to my limits and encouraged me to shoot for the stars.
(Photo Credit: Jill Mikucki)
Claudia Cummings
Claudia Cummings
Claudia was my first real mentor in academia and at Roane State. If it weren't for her "picking on" me in my General Biology classes, I wouldn't be perusing impactful research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and I am proud to call her my friend.
Robin Leib
Robin Leib
Robin is one of the wisest people I have ever met. She has instilled in me a greater appreciation for the process of learning and teaching others what I know and is always there to calmly offer insight on any issue I come across. I hope to become as sapient as her one day.
(Photo Credit: Anna Davis)
Friends and Family
Friends and Family
I would like to end by thanking all of my other friends and family members who encourage me and give me emotional support.
(Photo Credit: Layla Dishman)
With special thanks to
With special thanks to
Dr. Joseph Bailey
Dr. Alvin Diamond
Layla Dishman
Dr. Atsushi Ebihara
Dr. Silvia Kinosian
Dr. Al Kovaleski
Jeff Martin
Dr. Joel Nitta
Margret Oliver
Dr. Randy Small
Dr. Rachel P McCord
Dr. Conley K. McMullen
Dr. Jake Grossman
Dr. Amanda Benoit
And the various organizations:
The Arnold Arboretum
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Collections Committee
The Flicker Community
The iNaturalist Community
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
Roane State Community College
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
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