PI: Catherine Linnen
catherine.linnen@uky.edu, CV
Catherine earned her B.S. in Ecology from the University of Georgia (2000). She then went on to complete her Ph.D. in Brian Farrell's lab (2007) and spent four years as a postdoc in Hopi Hoekstra's lab (2007-2011), both in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Kentucky. When not in the lab, she enjoys spending time with her family (see "Honorary Lab Members" below).
PhD Candidate: Kim Vertacnik
kim.vertacnik@uky.edu
Kim completed her B.S. in molecular biology at Western Washington University (2010), where she worked on Rhagoletis speciation under Dietmar Schwarz. After graduation, she worked as a lab tech at Penn State in Kelli Hoover's lab, then joined the Linnen Lab in 2012. In her graduate work, Kim is using comparative genomics to investigate the genetic basis of host-use specialization in pine sawflies. Outside of Biology, Kim has work experiences ranging from retail to domestic violence advocacy. Much to the delight of her labmates, she also loves to bake.
PhD Candidate: John Terbot
jwterb2@g.uky.edu
John completed his B.S. in Evolution/Ecology and Entomology at The Ohio State University (2012). Joining the lab in 2013, he is studying the genetics and evolution of feeding aggregations, using Neodiprion as a model. Art is also very important to John. He particularly enjoys mixed media, digital, film, and video arts. He is an advocate for collaboration and cooperation between art and science. Through these interactions, he hopes to learn new perspectives on scientific issues and communicate science to a broader audience.
PhD Candidate: Emily Bendall
bendallemily@gmail.com
Emily earned her B.A. in biology from Willamette University in 2013, where she worked on coevolution of yuccas and yucca moths in Chris Smith’s lab. She joined the lab in 2014. Emily is studying the genetic architecture of divergent host-use traits in Neodiprion, and their role in speciation.
PhD Student: Megan Thomas
mga292@g.uky.edu
Megan is from Louisville, KY and earned her BS in biology from Centre College in 2010. After graduation Megan worked as an autotransfusionist for 2 years, then earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Louisville and taught high school biology for 5 years. She is now attending her third Kentucky-based education institution as a PhD student. Megan is investigating the role of divergence in sawfly genitalia in preventing gene flow between sister species in sympatry. When not in the lab Megan can be found hiking, camping, or practicing yoga with her husband and pup.
Current Lab Members:
Past Lab Members:
Joanna Larson (lab tech 2011; Currently: PhD student, Univ. of Michigan)
Adam Leonberger (lab manager 2011-2014; Currently: Franklin Co. Horticulture Agent)
Katie DeVeau (lab tech 2011-2012; Currently: PhD student, Univ. of Louisville)
Rachael Ziembroski (lab tech and field assistant, Summer 2012)
Kyle Schwachter (lab tech 2012-2013)
Meghan Pasquale (lab tech 2013)
Aubrey Mojesky (lab tech, Summer 2013; Currently: undergrad, Centre College)
Emily Stromberg (KBRIN student, Summer 2013; Currently: undergrad, Berry College)
Taylor Shackleford (undergrad research 2011-2013; Currently: MD student, Univ. of Kentucky)
Mary Collins (undergrad research 2012-2013; Currently: Teach for America)
Alonna Ballinger-Wright (lab tech and summer fellow 2013-2014)
Ahmad Nawaz (lab tech 2013-2014)
Ismaeel Siddiqi (undergrad research 2013-2014)
Natascha Richardson (undergrad research 2014)
Mackenzie Taylor (summer REU 2014; Currently: undergrad, Columbia University)
Dr. Matthew Niemiller (postdoc 2013-2014; Currently: Assistant Prof. at Univ of Alabama Huntsville)
Ethan Adams (undergrad research 2014)
Minh Tran (lab tech 2014)
Jesse Vaught (lab tech 2014)
Dr. Claire O'Quin (postdoc 2014-2015; Currently: Lecturer, University of Kentucky)
Katie Harper (ug research 2013-2014, lab manager 2014-2015; Currently: MS student, College of Charleston)
Jeremy Frederick (undergrad research: 2014-2015; Currently: MD student)
Melanie Hurst (undergrad research: 2013-2016; Currently: PhD student, Vanderbilt University)
Jordan Wolfe (undergrad research: 2014-2015; Currently: George Washington Health Policy MPH Program)
Connor Sears (undergrad research: 2014-2015; Currently: PhD student, University of Cincinnati)
Nicole Hopkins (undergrad research 2015)
Julianne Horn (undergrad research: 2015-2016)
Dr. Robin Bagley (Phd student 2011-2017; Currently: postdoc, University of Iowa)
Layne Gaynor (undergrad research: 2014-2017)
Carrie Anderson (undergrad research: 2015-2017)
Anna Sosso (undergrad research: 2016-2017)
Brianna Washington (undergrad research: 2016-2017)
Sarah Ward (undergrad research: 2017)
Adam Douglas (undergrad research: 2015-2017)
Maya Gershtenson (undergrad research: 2015-2017)
Ndeye Thiaw (undergrad research: 2015-2018)
Halle Mason (undergrad research: 2016-2018)
Dylan P'Simer (undergrad research: 2016-2017)
Abby Hillman (undergrad research: 2017)
Marcus Barnett (lab tech: 2017)
Honorary Lab Members:
Undergraduate: Nicole Payne
Nbpa224@uky.edu
Nicole is a senior Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology major from Bagdad, KY. She plans on furthering her education by attending medical school, and earning her MD.
Postdoc: Danielle Herrig
danielle.herrig@uky.edu
Danielle earned her B.S. in Biology at St. Ambrose University (2010). During her PhD at the University of Iowa, she investigated the genetics of speciation utilizing Drosophila sister species to assess gene flow, gene expression divergence for different gene types, and the role of gene expression in hybrid dysfunction. Her work in the Linnen Lab focuses on characterizing gene expression across life-stages and in different tissue types to unveil the role of chemosensory gene expression changes in development, mate choice, and speciation. She enjoys spending her time outside of the lab hiking and exploring new places with her husband and hound.
Undergraduate: Kayla Mattingly
kmma263@g.uky.edu
Kayla is a junior Biology major with a Spanish minor from Louisville, KY. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school to become a pediatric oncologist. She enjoys baking, volunteering, and hanging out with friends.
Undergraduate: Parisa Shamaei Zadeh
parisazadeh@uky.edu
Parisa is a junior from eastern Kentucky majoring in human health sciences, with a focus in pre-medicine. Her hobbies include cycling and international travel. Her future goal is to serve refugee and migrant populations as a healthcare professional.
PhD Student: Ashleigh Glover
angl226@uky.edu
Ashleigh earned her B.S. in biological sciences and M.S. in ecology and sustainability from California State University, Stanislaus. There, she used a population genetic approach to investigate the dispersal pattern, relatedness within burrow systems, and mating system of California ground squirrels. Her research interests include the genetics of dispersal, adaptation, and speciation. Outside of the lab, Ashleigh enjoys scuba diving and spending time with her family.
Undergraduate: Maya Woolfolk
maya.woolfolk@uky.edu
Maya is a junior from Louisville, Kentucky. She is majoring in biology, with minors in math and history. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Undergraduate: Maranda Gaines
mnga228@g.uky.edu
Maranda is a senior biology major from Lexington, KY. She is unsure of her specific plans for the future, but plans to continue her education in professional school. Ultimately, she aspires to a career in which she can help others. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, adventuring outdoors, and cooking.
Undergraduate: Ashley Filbeck
ashley.filbeck@uky.edu
Ashley is a junior biology major and history minor. She hopes to one day attend medical school. Her hobbies include reading and spending time with family and friends.
Undergraduate: Allyson Appel
allysonryanneappel@gmail.com
Ally is a sophomore from Lexington, KY. She is majoring in nursing and plans to pursue a PhD in nursing as well. Her hobbies include activities with her dog, watering her many plants, and partaking in outdoor activities.
