Hamilton Lab
Plant Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics
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. Connie Bolte Connie did her Ph.D. work at Virginia Commonwealth University studying evolutionary genomics. Her dissertation described the divergence history for three pine species and drivers of niche and genetic differentiation. In the Hamilton Lab, she is excited to work with Populus whole genome resequencing data to discover genomic patterns associated with reproductive isolation and adaptive introgression. When she is not in the lab, she likes hiking, swimming, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family and friends. 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. Anthony Melton Anthony completed his PhD at the University of Florida where his dissertation focused on testing genetic and ecology hypotheses for the origins of the eastern Asia - eastern North American floristic disjunction and species richness anomaly. After completing his PhD, he was a postdoctoral research associate at Boise State University where he studied the genomic underpinnings of drought stress response in big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata. In the Hamilton Lab, Anthony is looking forward to contributing to landscape and conservation genomics research in Fraxinus, laying a foundation for resistance breeding for EAB. Outside of the lab, he enjoys music and the outdoors. Graduate Students Michelle Zavala Páez (PhD) Michelle received her Bachelor's degree in Biology at the Universidad Central del Ecuador, then moved to Brazil to complete her MS in Ecology and Conservation at Federal University of Parana, where she worked in evolutionary and comparative genomics. Now she is joining the Hamilton lab and is excited to learn about ecology and landscape genomics as part of the Poplar project. When she is not in the lab she enjoys reading, camping and trekking. Kyra LoPiccolo (PhD) 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 a first year PhD student in the Plant Biology program rotating through the Hamilton Lab. She is contributing to research on ex situ conservation collections and establishment of genecology trials to understand genotype-phenotype-environment interactions. Outside of the lab, Kyra can be found hiking, reading, and baking. Research Scholars and Lab Managers Dr. Melissa Lehrer Melissa completed her Ph.D. at West Virginia University studying the abiotic stress response in Sorghum, a grain crop used for animal feed, food, and biofuel. Specifically, her dissertation described the responses to and consequences of long-term drought exposure at the genetic, morphological, and physiological levels. In the Hamilton Lab, she is looking forward to contributing to research examining phenotypic and genotypic variation in Black Ash, particularly focusing on EAB-resistance. In her free time Melissa enjoys thrifting/antiquing, baking, trying new foods, and planning fun activities to do with her friends and family. Amanda Penn Amanda earned her MS at Purdue as part of the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center. Her research examined community ecology and conservation genetics of butternut in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Amanda's career has centered around forest health and conservation, including roles with the US National Park Service, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and research positions at Purdue and PSU. Most recently, she is joining from the lab group of Dr. Jesse Lasky, where she research on the genetic, physiological, andecological mechanisms of local adaptation to environment in plant populations. In the Hamilton Lab, Amanda is excited to research that will empower managers to make well-informed decisions to conserve and promote resilient forests. Beyond her professional pursuits, Amanda enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, daughter, cats, and dog. Undergraduate researchers Jordan Basalyga Jordan is a third-year student at Penn State. She is studying Biology and Psychology and has a passion for ecology, wildlife, and conservation. Jordan joined the Schatz Center to gain valuable research experience and is excited to be assisting with an American Chestnut field and genomics project this summer. In her free time, Jordan enjoys spending time outdoors, engaging in activities such as traveling, hiking, camping, and photography. Lucy Anderson Lucy is a first year student at Penn State. She is a Millennium Scholar and is majoring in biology with a concentration in Plant Sciences. She joined the Schatz Center to pursue her interests in genetics and plant conservation. She is excited to start her science career and learn important lab skills. In her free time, Lucy likes to ski, hike, and cook. Alden Stone Alden is a second-year student at Penn State majoring in Forest Management with a minor in Arboriculture. Alden discovered his love of trees during his work as a professional arborist in Harrisburg, PA. For this reason, he was recruited to the Schatz Center to help collect hard-to-reach samples. In his free time, Alden enjoys hiking with his dog Liberty, rock climbing, and he enjoys illustrating trees and other wood plants. Amber Truesdale Amber is a third-year student at Penn State. They are a Plant Science Major with a concentration in Plant Genetics and Biotechnology. Amber joined the Schatz Center to pursue their interests in plant genetics and to gain valuable research experience. In their free time, Amber likes to draw, paint, and spnd time outdoors hiking, gardening, and collecting plants to press. Ian Clancy-Mallue Ian is an undergraduate biotechnology major at Salisbury University with focuses in plant genetics and conserving biodiversity in a world of growing industrial and technological advances. His current research project consists of observing micro-climate effects on Willow Oaks based on their location to nearby buildings on the Salisbury University Campus. He is excited to join the PopUpPoplar team to learn and grow his passion for biology. 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 Lionel Di Santo (PhD) - Postdoctoral Scholar at University of Basel w/ Yvonne Willi Santosh Rana Magar (Post-doctoral Fellow) - Research Assistant, Arkansas State University Joseph Braasch (Post-doctoral Fellow) - Postdoctoral Scholar with Angélica González at Rutgers University - Camden Pamela Puppo (Post-doctoral Fellow) - Assistant Professor, Marshall University 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 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 |