MEET THE TEAM
Click on our heads to learn more about our interests!
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.
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.
Yongsoo Choi
Graduate Student
I am fascinated by how developmental processes drive morphological diversity. Specifically, I am interested in the developmental mechanism underlying the origins of novel traits broadly, and the role of nutrition in development in particular. My previous research focused on how macronutrient ratios affect the development of the superworm (Zophobas atratus), and how these organisms regulate and respond to their nutritional intake. I currently investigate the mechanisms underlying the nutritional plasticity of horns in rhinoceros and dung beetles to further explore the origins of these traits.
Caroline Haack Assum
Graduate Student
I am interested in the nervous system, brain, and sensory organs. Specifically, I am interested in the evolutionary development of these within invertebrate juveniles. My previous research was focused on the structure and function of a seemingly novel sensory organ in the larva of the marine annelid Osedax japonicus, as well as neuropeptides and neurotransmitters alongside their receptors roles in the developing nervous system and brain of the larva.
Rebecca Westwick
Postdoctoral Researcher
I am broadly interested in animal behavior. In particular, I focus on social behavior and developmental behavioral plasticity. How do social interactions influence the health of an organism? How do experiences in early life shape adult behavior and brain function? Why are the effects of some experiences temporary while others are long-lasting? I have previously worked on these questions in the honey bee (Apis mellifera). I am excited to bring this focus to sex-based and reproductive-tactic-based behavioral differences in dung beetles!
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 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 Yongsoo
I am fascinated by how developmental processes drive morphological diversity. Specifically, I am interested in the developmental mechanism underlying the origins of novel traits broadly, and the role of nutrition in development in particular. My previous research focused on how macronutrient ratios affect the development of the superworm (Zophobas atratus), and how these organisms regulate and respond to their nutritional intake. I currently investigate the mechanisms underlying the nutritional plasticity of horns in rhinoceros and dung beetles to further explore the origins of these traits.
More about Caroline
I am interested in the nervous system, brain, and sensory organs. Specifically, I am interested in the evolutionary development of these within invertebrate juveniles. My previous research was focused on the structure and function of a seemingly novel sensory organ in the larva of the marine annelid Osedax japonicus, as well as neuropeptides and neurotransmitters alongside their receptors roles in the developing nervous system and brain of the larva.
More about Rebecca
I am broadly interested in animal behavior. In particular, I focus on social behavior and developmental behavioral plasticity. How do social interactions influence the health of an organism? How do experiences in early life shape adult behavior and brain function? Why are the effects of some experiences temporary while others are long-lasting? I have previously worked on these questions in the honey bee (Apis mellifera). I am excited to bring this focus to sex-based and reproductive-tactic-based behavioral differences in dung beetles!
More about Kirstin
Coming Soon…
More about Miranda
Coming Soon!
More about Cora
Coming Soon…
More about Logan
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LAB ALUMNI
Former Post-docs:
Oliver Beckers: Associate Professor, Murray State University, Department of Biology
Phil Davidson, Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University, Department of Biological Sciences
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
Melissa Pespeni: Associate Professor, University of Vermont, Department of Biology
Cris Ledon-Rettig: Assistant Professor, Indiana University, Department of Biology
Emilie Snell-Rood: 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
Kenzie Givens
Joshua Jones, Postdoctoral Researcher, Lindsey Lab, University of Minnesota, Department of Entomology
Erik Parker: Biostatistician I, Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University
Harald Parzer: Professor, Farleigh Dickinson University, Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences
Daniel Schwab: US Department of Energy, Office of International Activities, Research Security, and Interagency Coordination
Matthew Stansbury: Associate Professor, Colorado Mesa University, Department of Biology
Bethany Wasik: Editor, Cornell University Press
OUTREACH
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