MEET THE TEAM
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Armin Moczek
Principal Investigator
I’m fascinated by how novel complex traits originate in development and evolution. I want to know what it takes genetically, developmentally, and ecologically for novel traits and trait variants to arise from ancestral variation, and how such events may set to stage for subsequent major evolutionary transitions and adaptive radiations. I appreciate all types of organismal diversity, but insects have always been especially fascinating to me. My research employs diverse insect models, but especially horned beetles in the genus Onthophagus, to explore the nature of innovation and diversification in the natural world.
Joshua Jones
Graduate Student
The communities of microbes that exist within a given space is known as the microbiome. I am broadly interested in the symbioses between organisms and their respective microbiomes. Research into these relationships can give us pivotal insight into the roles that microbes play in their host’s evolution and ecology and vise versa. From nutrient uptake and amino acid synthesis to development and reproduction, microbes have been shown to undertake many processes to their host’s benefits. I believe Onthophagus to be a particularly good model for investigating many of these interactions
Erica Nadolski
Graduate Student
I am fascinated by the biodiversity apparent all around us. In particular, I am interested in how developmental processes bias heritable phenotypic variation, influence responses to selection, and shape phenotypic evolution. My past research focused on the genetic basis of a morphological novelty shaped by sexual selection in Drosophila. My current interests are centered on how developmental plasticity in particular and developmental bias broadly may affect genetic and epigenetic inheritance and contribute to biodiversity.
Kenzie Givens
Graduate Student
I am interested in endosymbiosis, a highly specialized form of mutualism in which a host relies on microbes it houses within its own cells to perform essential functions. These close associations permit extensive functional integration and mutual dependence that afford many benefits to both parties, although they are not without risk. I aim to understand how these partnerships are established and the factors driving their long-term persistence using a combination of genomics and mathematical models. My current research focuses on genome instability in the mitochondria and in the bacterial endosymbionts of cicadas.
Kat Sestrick
Graduate Student
Insects display a broad array of physiological and developmental adaptations, allowing them to colonize nearly the entirety of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. I am interested in the mechanisms that have allowed insects to be successful across such a range of environments and associated food resources. I am especially interested in how the mechanisms of developmental regulation, plasticity, and novelty have contributed to the malleability of the insect body plan to facilitate insect evolvability and adaptation.
Phil Davidson
Postdoctoral Researcher
Contextualizing developmental differences in terms of evolutionary change provides a powerful framework for explaining the origination of biodiversity. My primary research interests seek to identify the genomic and regulatory basis of developmental evolution to better understand the molecular drivers of novel traits and adaptations. In particular, I am interested in the roles of the non-coding genome and
selection in shaping gene network evolution, in the formation of novel, complex traits, and in mediating adaptive phenotypes. In the Moczek Lab, I am pursuing multi-species genomic and developmental
analyses in Onthophagus beetles with the goal to characterize the regulation and evolution of developmental plasticity and morphological innovation.
Eduardo Zattara
Postdoctoral Researcher
I have a long standing interest in the role of developmental bias in channeling evolutionary change by vetoing certain evolutionary trajectories while facilitating others. Central to this concept is the notion that developmental programs interact with environmental conditions to create a rugged landscape of potential change, while evolution traces paths of least resistance through that landscape. In my research I investigate the nature and consequences of developmental channeling in the evolution of novel traits during post-embryonic development, from annelids and nemerteans to insects.
Patrick Rohner
Postdoctoral Researcher
As an evolutionary ecologist I am broadly interested in how the astonishing diversity of insect shapes, sizes and reproductive strategies originated, how it is maintained, and how it diversifies. I integrate multivariate quantitative genetic, comparative, and experimental approaches to understand the complex interplay between ecology, evolution and developmental plasticity. My current research centers on how insects deal with novel environmental regimes in both the short and long-term. I am particularly interested in the role of developmental plasticity in channeling evolutionary divergence within and across various species.
Meha Patel
Afrisnet Progr. Assistant
I currently study Operations Management and Entrepreneurship at IU’s Kelley School of Business. My interest in business is rooted in growing up in an entrepreneurial family in Kenya, where I am constantly exposed to various creative discussions ranging from brainstorming new business ideas to managing projects efficiently. I work closely with my family members to tap various markets in Kenya. These include commercial mass printing and packaging services, importing various retail products, and managing a restaurant and catering service. My future plans involve expanding the family business and involving in philanthropic projects in Kenya.
More about Armin
I’m fascinated by how novel complex traits originate in development and evolution. I want to know what it takes genetically, developmentally, and ecologically for novel traits and trait variants to arise from ancestral variation, and how such events may set to stage for subsequent major evolutionary transitions and adaptive radiations. I appreciate all types of organismal diversity, but insects have always been especially fascinating to me. My research employs diverse insect models, but especially horned beetles in the genus Onthophagus, to explore the nature of innovation and diversification in the natural world.
More about Joshua
The communities of microbes that exist within a given space is known as the microbiome. I am broadly interested in the symbioses between organisms and their respective microbiomes. Research into these relationships can give us pivotal insight into the roles that microbes play in their host’s evolution and ecology and vise versa. From neutrient uptake and amino acid synthesis to development and reproduction, microbes have been shown to undertake many processes to their host’s benefits. I believe Onthophagus to be a particularly good model for investigating many of these interactions
More about Erica
I am fascinated by the biodiversity apparent all around us. In particular, I am interested in how developmental processes bias heritable phenotypic variation, influence responses to selection, and shape phenotypic evolution. My past research focused on the genetic basis of a morphological novelty shaped by sexual selection in Drosophila. My current interests are centered on how developmental plasticity in particular and developmental bias broadly may affect genetic and epigenetic inheritance and contribute to biodiversity.
More about Kenzie
I am interested in endosymbiosis, a highly specialized form of mutualism in which a host relies on microbes it houses within its own cells to perform essential functions. These close associations permit extensive functional integration and mutual dependence that afford many benefits to both parties, although they are not without risk. I aim to understand how these partnerships are established and the factors driving their long-term persistence using a combination of genomics and mathematical models. My current research focuses on genome instability in the mitochondria and in the bacterial endosymbionts of cicadas.
More about Kat
Insects display a broad array of physiological and developmental adaptations, allowing them to colonize nearly the entirety of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. I am interested in the mechanisms that have allowed insects to be successful across such a range of environments and associated food resources. I am especially interested in how the mechanisms of developmental regulation, plasticity, and novelty have contributed to the malleability of the insect body plan to facilitate insect evolvability and adaptation.
More about Phil
Contextualizing developmental differences in terms of evolutionary change provides a powerful framework for explaining the origination of biodiversity. My primary research interests seek to identify the genomic and regulatory basis of developmental evolution to better understand the molecular drivers of novel traits and adaptations. In particular, I am interested in the roles of the non-coding genome and selection in shaping gene network evolution, in the formation of novel, complex traits, and in mediating adaptive phenotypes. In the Moczek Lab, I am pursuing multi-species genomic and developmental analyses in Onthophagus beetles with the goal to characterize the regulation and evolution of developmental plasticity and morphological innovation.
More about Kirstin
Coming soon!
More about Eduardo
I have a long standing interest in the role of developmental bias in channeling evolutionary change by vetoing certain evolutionary trajectories while facilitating others. Central to this concept is the notion that developmental programs interact with environmental conditions to create a rugged landscape of potential change, while evolution traces paths of least resistance through that landscape. In my research I investigate the nature and consequences of developmental channeling in the evolution of novel traits during post-embryonic development, from annelids and nemerteans to insects.
More about Patrick
As an evolutionary ecologist I am broadly interested in how the astonishing diversity of insect shapes, sizes and reproductive strategies originated, how it is maintained, and how it diversifies. I integrate multivariate quantitative genetic, comparative, and experimental approaches to understand the complex interplay between ecology, evolution and developmental plasticity. My current research centers on how insects deal with novel environmental regimes in both the short and long-term. I am particularly interested in the role of developmental plasticity in channeling evolutionary divergence within and across various species.
More about Levi
Bio coming soon…
More about Levi
Bio coming soon…
More about Phil
Contextualizing developmental differences in terms of evolutionary change provides a powerful framework for explaining the origination of biodiversity. My primary research interests seek to identify the genomic and regulatory basis of developmental evolution to better understand the molecular drivers of novel traits and adaptations. In particular, I am interested in the roles of the non-coding genome and selection in shaping gene network evolution, in the formation of novel, complex traits, and in mediating adaptive phenotypes. In the Moczek Lab, I am pursuing multi-species genomic and developmental analyses in Onthophagus beetles with the goal to characterize the regulation and evolution of developmental plasticity and morphological innovation.
More about Eve
I have a long standing interest in the role of developmental bias in channeling evolutionary change by vetoing certain evolutionary trajectories while facilitating others. Central to this concept is the notion that developmental programs interact with environmental conditions to create a rugged landscape of potential change, while evolution traces paths of least resistance through that landscape. In my research I investigate the nature and consequences of developmental channeling in the evolution of novel traits during post-embryonic development, from annelids and nemerteans to insects.
More about Isabel
I am a broadly trained entomologist with a research background spanning the systematics and evolution of morphology of Onthophagus beetles, the community ecology and conservation of dung beetles, and the ecology, distribution, and conservation of saproxylic beetles and dragonflies. As a member of the Moczek lab, I am using Onthophagus beetles to study the parallel divergence of male and female copulatory structures, the role of appendage-patterning genes in their development, and the evolution of ovarian development in populations subject to different levels of competition.
LAB ALUMNI
Former Post-docs:
Oliver Beckers: Associate Professor, Murray State University, Department of Biology
Yonggang Hu: Assistant Professor, Institute of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
Teiya Kijimoto: Assistant Professor, West Virginia University, Department of Biology
David Linz: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Post-Doctoral fellow, Environmental Protection Agency
Anna Macagno: Biostatistician and Project Manager, Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University
Melissa Pespeni: Associate Professor, University of Vermont, Department of Biology
Cris Ledon-Rettig: Assistant Professor, Indiana University, Department of Biology
Emilie Snell-Rood: Associate Professor, University of Minnesota, Department of Biology
Former Graduate Students:
Bronwyn Heather Bleakley: Associate Professor and Chair, Stonehill College, MA
Sofia Casasa: Postdoctoral Researcher, Ragsdale Lab, Indiana University
Guillaume Dury: Wade Lab, Indiana University
Erik Parker: Biostatistician I, Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University
Harald Parzer: Associate Professor, Farleigh Dickinson University, Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences
Daniel Schwab: AAAS Science and Policy Fellow, Department of Defense, DC
Matthew Stansbury: Associate Professor, Colorado Mesa University, Department of Biology
Bethany Wasik: Editor, Cornell University Press
OUTREACH
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