FITZPATRICK LAB

Ben Fitzpatrick, PI 

Evolutionary ecology of interactions within and between genomes
  My major interests are in the genetics and biogeography of speciation and the evolution of symbiosis. Much of my work has addressed the evolutionary and conservation implications of hybridization. These remain important themes as I expand my research program to include host-symbiont interactions in hybrid zones.
Dept. of EEB      
Dylan Dittrich-Reed  Ph.D. Student

Hybridization, Host Shifts, and Tribolium flour beetles.
  I'm using Tribolium castaneum as a model organism to study the effects of hybridization on host shifts. Specifically, I'm trying to answer the question of whether hybridization affects the rate of adaptation to a new environment and the strength of tradeoffs after adaptation.
Zach Marion  Ph.D. Student

I combine analytical chemistry with field and laboratory-based ecological and evolutionary methods to address questions relating to the population biology of amphibians and the evolution of their chemical antipredator defenses. Previous work has focused on eastern newts but I am interested in delving into the world of cane toads (Bufo (Rhinella) marinus) across their native and introduced ranges.


H.O.F.F. LAB GROUP- Hulsey, O'Meara, Fordyce, and Fitzpatrick

James Fordyce  Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Plant-animal interactions, evolutionary ecology, population / community ecology, chemical ecology, and biogeography

Fordyce Web Site
C. Darrin Hulsey  Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Evolution of complex phenotypes, functional morphology, evolution of development, trophic evolution, phylogenetics, and ichthyology

Hulsey Web Site
Brian O'Meara  Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Phylogenetics

O'Meara Web Site
Romina D. Dimarco  Ph.D. Student, Fordyce Lab
  I am broadly interested in the ecological and evolutionary implications of plant/animal interactions, and address questions relevant to this by studying chemical ecology, insect ecology, behavior and genetics.
My Webpage
Phillip Hollingsworth   Ph.D. Student, Hulsey Lab


FORMER LAB MEMBERS


Amanda Allison  MS 2012

I am broadly interested in population genetics, conservation and hybridization. My particular interest is in studying gene flow in hybrid zones of species of plethodontid (Plethodon) salamanders, and the symbiotic effects of cutaneous bacteria present on the skin of these salamanders.
R. Graham Reynolds  Ph.D. 2011

Conservation Genetics, Biogeography, and Phylogeography of tropical and subtropical reptiles and amphibians, especially insular populations.
   I am currently investigating the effects of island physical geography on population level genetic structuring of the insular genera Leiocephalus and Epicrates. I am also interested in studying basic biology and spatial ecology of the Bahamian Boas ( Epicrates ), with an eye towards conservation and local community involvement in management. My current work is with L. psammodromus and E. chrysogaster in the Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies.

My Web Site 
Matt Niemiller  Ph.D. 2011

Systematics, Phylogeography, and Population Genetics of the Plethodontid Salamander Genus Gyrinophilus and the Southern Cave Fish (Typhlichthys subterraneus).

My Web Site
Stesha Pasachnik  Ph.D. May 2010
  Now a post-doc and conservation director of the Bay Islands Foundation, Roatan, Honduras
Genetics and Conservation of Ctenosaura in Mesoamerica
   My dissertation research focuses on conservation genetics and the Ctenosaura palearis complex. The four main components of this research include: an evaluation of species boundaries within the complex, an investigation of a possible hybridization threat, gaining an understanding of colonization patterns within this complex, and creating a thorough management strategy for one species within the complex, Ctenosaura melanosterna.   My Webpage


Megan Todd-Thompson  M.S. May 2010
  Now a research tech at University of Colorado Boulder

Disease Ecology and Population Genetics
  My current research aims to better understand Ranavirus in salamanders. I plan to examine genetic variation of ranavirus strains across watersheds to understand how the virus is moving through populations.

Nell Koneczny  Maryville High School '10, Now at Vanderbilt University '14
  Nell studied molecular divergence between two species of dwarf geckoes (Sphaerodactylus) from the Turks and Caicos Islands for her senior honor's thesis.

  J.R. Jones  M.S. May 2009

Phenotypic polymorphism, resource partitioning, trophic/dietary ecology, behavioral ecology, chemical cues in vertebrates, sexual selection, thermal ecology, population genetics, effects of invasive species on local communities.
  My current research involves investigation of the widespread phenomenon of similar color polymorphism in salamanders of the genus Plethodon. I am examining spatial and temporal trends in morph frequencies in two species (P. serratus and P. ventralis) to either support or refute Highton’s claim of character displacement between these two species in eastern Tennessee. I am also exploring the possibility of resource partitioning (through examination of dietary composition) and differences in territorial behavior in both sympatric and allopatric populations of the two.
John Placyk  Post-Doc 2006-07- now Assistant Professor of Biology at University of Texas at Tyler
   My most recent research has focused on the molecular phylogeography of organisms, especially in the Great Lakes region, and on conservation genetics. We are focusing on differences between populations of Butler's gartersnake (T. butleri)using mtDNA, nuclear DNA, and morphological and behavioral data, to help us better understand relationships between populations, and relationships between T. butleri and the plains gartersnake (T. radix) with which it is known to hybridize.
    In the Fitzpatrick lab, I worked on understanding relationships between the endangered California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and the invasive barred tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium) that is hybridizing with it in an attempt to help conservation efforts and to better understand hybrid fitness.
My Webpage

2010 All images are the property of R. Graham Reynolds and Matt Niemiller