People
Nina Wurzburger
Associate Professor
Ph.D. Forest Resources, University of Georgia
M.S. Soil Science, University of California Davis
B.S. Environmental and Resource Science, University of California Davis
Melanie Taylor
Graduate Student (PhD in Ecology)
M.S. Ecology, University of Georgia
B.S. Biology, Concord University
I am interested in understanding drivers of tree species assemblages in eastern North American forests and how changes in these assemblages impact ecosystem function.
Jordan Argrett
Graduate Student (PhD in Ecology; co-advised with Dr. Anny Chung)
B.S. Environmental Sciences, Emory University
My primary research interests lie in plant-soil-microbe interactions and their potential impact on plant and soil community structure. My current interests lie in understanding how hemiparasitic plants affect nutrient cycling, aboveground plant competition, and belowground microbial community assembly.
Erik Jones
Graduate Student (PhD in Ecology)
B.A. Biology and Environmental Science, University of Minnesota Morris
I am interested in understanding how fungi associated with plant roots shape organic matter in soils. My research focuses on the impact of trees like oaks and pines, and their ectomycorrhizal fungal partners, on the quantity and composition of soil organic matter in woodlands of the southeastern United States.
Kayla Bonilla
Graduate Student (PhD in Ecology)
B.S. Biology, Wingate University
I am interested in how root-associated fungi (mycorrhizae) influence soil carbon and nitrogen cycling. I am particularly interested in investigating the nutrient uptake strategies and decay processes of two different groups of mycorrhizae, ectomycorrhizae (mostly tree-associated) and ericoid mycorrhizae (mostly shrub-associated).
Angie Romano
Graduate Student (PhD in Plant Biology)
B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
M.S. Museum and Field Studies, University of Colorado
I am broadly interested in the functional diversity and distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi. More specifically, I am interested in how these traits change with ecological regime shifts, such as the reintroduction of fire to the ecosystem.
Former Lab Members:
Graduate Students and Postdocs:
Jessie Motes (M.S. in Ecology) - PhD student at Columbia University
Sarah Ottinger (M.S. in Ecology) - Contract Wetland Biologist, Tennessee Valley Authority
Irenee Payne (visiting graduate student from Oregon State University) - Research Technician with USDA Forest Service
Dana Carpenter (M.S. in Ecology) - Biologist and Natural Areas Manager, Baker University Wetlands and Discovery Center
Carly Phillips (Ph.D. in Ecology) - Researcher in Residence, Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
Jeffrey Minucci (Ph.D. in Ecology) - Physical Scientist, US Environmental Protection Agency
Julie Tierney (M.S. in Ecology) - PhD student at Princeton University
Mike Ament (M.S. in Ecology) - Physical Scientist, US Geological Survey
Aeran Coughlin (M.S. in Ecology) - PhD student at Duke University
Melanie Taylor (M.S. in Ecology) - Ecologist with USDA Forest Service
Courtney Collins (M.S. in Conservation Ecology & Sustainable Development) - Postdoctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia
Megan Machmuller (Honorary Lab Member, Ph.D. in Ecology) - Research Scientist at Colorado State University
Kelly Andersen (Postdoctoral Researcher) - Assistant Professor, Nanyang Technological University
Technicians:
Andres Baron
Austin Martin
Shialoh Wilson
Undergraduate Researchers:
Soumya Vajrala
Isabella Pellicano
Ian Morton
Erik Ramos
Carter Coleman
Hannah Goldberg
Grace Anne Ingham
Evan Barnard
Sumaya El-Khalidi
Kelsey Morton
Jenna Peissig
Meryom Patillo
Undergraduate Assistants:
Madison Caren
Christian Deneka
Anna Burkhart
Garrett Churchwell
Annabelle Barr
Ramar Allen
Rose Parham
Clarissa Keisling
Tyler Ellison
Megan Kelley
Breanna Walker
David Blount
Amy Johnson
Connor Timpone
Brian McGann
Dina Abdulhadi
Brice Howell
Tierney O'Sullivan
Sheena Zhang