Hamilton Lab
Plant Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics
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Jill Hamilton, jvh6349<@>psu.edu
Associate Professor Director, Schatz Center for Tree Molecular Genetics, and Ibberson Chair in Silviculture Research, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University Download my CV (as a PDF) Postdoctoral Scholars Dr. Alayna Mead Alayna completed her PhD at UCLA working to understand the genomic basis of climate adaptation and stress responses across California oak species and populations. She is excited to join the Hamilton lab as an NSF-PRFB in plant genomics and will be using climate, trait, and whole-genome resequencing data to understand the genomic basis of drought tolerance in Populus, and evaluate which populations may be pre-adapted to future climates. She also enjoys reading, hiking, camping, and trying to identify plants. Dr. Sammy Muraguri Sammy earned Sammy earned his Ph.D.in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UCAS-KIB in China and worked as a postdoc at ETH Zurich, where he investigated the genetic mechanism underlying the adaptation to whole genome duplication in Dianthus sylvestris. He now joins the Hamilton lab as a postdoctoral scholar to explore the role of hybridization in climate adaptation and the evolution of species barriers in poplar clones of mixed ancestry (P. trichocarpa × P. balsamifera). Outside the lab, Sammy enjoys cycling and traveling. Dr. Michelle Zavala-Paez Michelle received her Bachelor's degree in Biology from the Universidad Central del Ecuador and went on to complete her Master’s in Ecology and Conservation at the Federal University of Paraná in Brazil, where she studied evolutionary and comparative genomics in orchids. She recently graduated from the Ecology graduate program at Penn State. Her research focuses on understanding how hybridization influences physiological trait variation in Populus genotypes collected from the hybrid zone between Populus trichocarpa and P. balsamifera. Michelle integrates whole-genome sequencing with phenotypic data from common gardens to uncover the evolutionary mechanisms that shape trait variation and contribute to local adaptation in hybrid zones. Outside of the lab, she enjoys kayaking, hiking, and watching series. Graduate Students Kyra LoPiccolo (PhD candidate, Plant Biology) Kyra completed her Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. While there, she fell in love with forest restoration while working with the American Chestnut Project. Kyra is now a third year PhD candidate in the Plant Biology program working in the Hamilton Lab. Her research is focused on the evolution of genetic and phenotypic variation in Black ash (Fraxinus nigra). She is passionate about leveraging genomic tools to create conservation and management plans that safeguard adaptive genetic variation. Outside of the lab, Kyra can be found hiking, reading, and baking. Diego del Orbe Matos (PhD Student, Plant Biology) Diego received a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic where he worked with population genetics of pine trees in the Dominican Republic. He then moved to Spain for a MS and worked on metabolomics in Holm oak germination. He is starting in the Plant Biology PhD program, excited to learn more about trees and population genomics. Outside of the lab he likes making short films with friends, photography, and cooking. Muqing Liu (PhD Student, Ecology) Muqing received her Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and her Master's degree in Ecology from Beijing Normal University in China. During her undergraduate studies, she studied the competitiveness of common ragweed and her Master's focused on population genetics and climate adaptation of beech species. Now, as a first-year PhD student in the Ecology program, she is excited to continue working with trees and explore new research directions. She loves dogs, dry ginger Americanos (a mix of ginger soda and Americano), and having fun - like traveling, studying psychology, or trying interesting things with friends Lab Managers Alex Moen Alex completed his Bachelor's degree in Genetics at UW Madison where he studied gravitropism in Arabidopsis roots. After graduating, he worked in the biotechnology industry in the Bay area. Now he is joining the Hamilton Lab as a Lab Manager. Outside of work, he likes to hike, explore new areas, and make music. Austin Parr Austin earned his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and then continued on to earn a Master's in Environmental Policy from SUNY-ESF as well. During his time there, he joined the American Chestnut Research & Restoration Project. At the project, Austin assisted in managing field stations, research properties, and greenhouses while also advocating for forest restoration at public-facing events. He has relocated to Pennsylvania to continue to work in forest restoration research. In his free time, Austin likes to cook, write, hike, and weightlift. Undergraduate researchers Jacob Mazza Jacob is currently a third year student at Penn State majoring in Forest Management. He has joined the Schatz Center to further his understanding of forest genetics, while also gaining valuable lab experience. Jacob likes to spend his free time hiking with friends, reading, and watching movies. Kingston Gearhart Kingston is a third year student majoring in Forest Management at Penn State. He joined the Schatz Center to learn more about the work being done to protect historically important tree species from the impact of climate change and pests. In his off time he enjoys mountain biking, photography, and finding interesting plants. Rosalie Montemayor Rosalie is currently a first-year student at Penn State studying Biology. She is interested in conservation, working in the lab, and genetics! She loves science and nature. Her hobbies include reading, going on long walks, hiking, baking, and hanging out with friends. Kayley Henninger Kayley is a fourth year student at Penn State majoring in Forestry. They joined the Schatz Center to better understand evolutionary and ecological genetics to manage for adaptive and resilient communities. Bouldering, drawing, gaming, biking, photography, reading, and plant husbandry occupy their spare time. Lab Pets Maya is a German Shepherd mix and loves anything that involves going out into the field. Her favorite past times are playing with snow, leaves, grass and chasing squirrels up trees. Quill is a German Shepherd mix that also loves helping out in the field. When he's not torturing his older sister, he loves long walks and exploring by canoe. Lab Alumni Graduate students and Post-docs Anthony Melton (Post-doctoral Scholar) - Assistant Professor, University of Montevallo Constance Bolte (Post-doctoral Scholar) - AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow - NSF Melissa Lehrer (Research Scholar and Lab Manager) - Assistant Teaching Professor, University of Pittsburgh Santosh Rana Magar (Post-doctoral Scholar) - Assistant Professor, Youngstown State University Joseph Braasch (Post-doctoral Scholar) - Postdoctoral Scholar, Rutgers University - Camden Pamela Puppo (Post-doctoral Scholar) - Assistant Professor, Marshall University Michelle Zavala-Páez (PhD) - Postdoctoral Scholar, Pennsylvania State University Lionel Di Santo (PhD) - Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Basel Jessica Lindstrom (MSc) - Contract Biologist in Reproductive Systems, Bayer, St. Louis, Missouri Kate Volk (MSc) - Restoration Ecologist, Prairie Restorations, Inc, Fargo, ND Zebadiah Yoko (MSc) - Conservation Science Communicator, Missouri River Bird Observatory Undergraduate students Lucia Anderson (Undergraduate Research Assistant) Raquel Gottlieb (Undergraduate Research Assistant) Alden Stone (Undergraduate Research Assistant) Dane Beller (Undergraduate Research Assistant) Amber Truesdale (Undergraduate Research Assistant) Jordan Basalyga (Undergraduate Research Assistant) Sarah Meisner (Research Technician) Maureen Mailander (Research Technician) Nadia Garzione (Research Technician) Briana Sutara (Undergraduate Research Assistant) Bridget Reheard (Undergraduate Research Assistant) CJ Hicks (Undergradate Research Assistant) Alex Hass (Undergraduate Research Assistant) - Research Technician, Aldevron, Fargo, ND David Hainlen (Undergraduate Research Assistant) - MSc student, University of Minnesota-Duluth Merecedes Hoffner (Undergraduate Assistant) - 3rd year Bioinformatics major Alexis Pearson (Undergraduate Research Assistant) - Teacher, Bemidji, MN Zoe Portlas (Undergraduate Research Assistant) - PhD student, University of Vermont Marissa Spear (Undergraduate Research Assistant) - MSc student, University of Minnesota-Duluth Nicholas Hugo (Research Assistant) Stephen Johnson (Undergraduate Research Assistant) Storm Nies (Research Assistant) - KLJ Engineering and Planning Services Zach Tarble (Undergraduate Research Assistant) - Restoration Specialist, Prairie Restorations, Inc. Monica Polgar (Undergraduate Research Assistant) - MSc student, North Dakota State University |
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