Current Members
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Paul Frandsen
Faculty
Research Interest
Evolutionary history of caddisflies, phylogenetics, bioinformatics, data science
Biography
Paul earned a Ph.D. in Entomology from Rutgers University and a B.S. from BYU in Integrative Biology. He loves insects, the outdoors, and technology, and his research uses all three to answer questions about evolutionary biology.
Interests Insects, the outdoors, technology
Research Interest
Evolutionary history of caddisflies, phylogenetics, bioinformatics, data science
Biography
Paul earned a Ph.D. in Entomology from Rutgers University and a B.S. from BYU in Integrative Biology. He loves insects, the outdoors, and technology, and his research uses all three to answer questions about evolutionary biology.
Interests Insects, the outdoors, technology
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Isabella M. Errigo
Graduate student
Program
Environmental Science
Research Interest
eDNA, wildfire recovery, science communication, and environmental justice
Biography
Isabella Errigo is an M.S. student working with Paul Frandsen and Ben Abbott. Her project uses environmental DNA to understand how aquatic invertebrates, microorganisms, and fish recovery following large wildfires.
Interests She is most interested in the relationship between people and their environment, and wants to continue to focus on ways to improve that relationship.
Program
Environmental Science
Research Interest
eDNA, wildfire recovery, science communication, and environmental justice
Biography
Isabella Errigo is an M.S. student working with Paul Frandsen and Ben Abbott. Her project uses environmental DNA to understand how aquatic invertebrates, microorganisms, and fish recovery following large wildfires.
Interests She is most interested in the relationship between people and their environment, and wants to continue to focus on ways to improve that relationship.
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Teagan Mulford
Graduate Student
Research Interest
Systematics, Taxonomy, and curation, particularly of Diptera
Biography
Teagan is a M.S. student working with Riley Nelson, Paul Frandsen, and Seth Bybee. She is focused on revising a genus of robber flies, and loves staring at insects under microscopes.
Interests Reading (mostly fiction), nail art, her cat, video games, swimming, D&D, animal husbandry
Research Interest
Systematics, Taxonomy, and curation, particularly of Diptera
Biography
Teagan is a M.S. student working with Riley Nelson, Paul Frandsen, and Seth Bybee. She is focused on revising a genus of robber flies, and loves staring at insects under microscopes.
Interests Reading (mostly fiction), nail art, her cat, video games, swimming, D&D, animal husbandry
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Hannah Kool
Undergraduate student
Program
Environmental Science
Research Interest
eDNA
Biography
Hannah is a Junior from Sacramento, California. She is excited to learn more applications of eDNA, hoping to one day apply her knowledge to help conserve the environment.
Interests Reading, art, bees, the ocean, petting dogs
Program
Environmental Science
Research Interest
eDNA
Biography
Hannah is a Junior from Sacramento, California. She is excited to learn more applications of eDNA, hoping to one day apply her knowledge to help conserve the environment.
Interests Reading, art, bees, the ocean, petting dogs
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Ashlyn Powell
Undergraduate student
Program
Bioinformatics
Research Interest
Caddisfly genetics
Biography
Ashlyn is a junior from Dallas, Texas. She is excited to contribute to this research lab, and hopes to learn as much as she can from this experience.
Interests Tennis, volleyball, baking, reading, technology
Program
Bioinformatics
Research Interest
Caddisfly genetics
Biography
Ashlyn is a junior from Dallas, Texas. She is excited to contribute to this research lab, and hopes to learn as much as she can from this experience.
Interests Tennis, volleyball, baking, reading, technology
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Jonas Bush
Undergraduate student
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Evolutionary Biology, Human Genomics/Genetics
Biography
Jonas is a senior from El Paso, Texas. He is a massive science and philosophy nerd who loves to spend time studying new things. He hopes to use his knowledge of genetics and biotechnology to help improve quality of life wherever he can.
Interests Reading (mostly non-fiction), taking naps, netflix, philosophy, backpacking
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Evolutionary Biology, Human Genomics/Genetics
Biography
Jonas is a senior from El Paso, Texas. He is a massive science and philosophy nerd who loves to spend time studying new things. He hopes to use his knowledge of genetics and biotechnology to help improve quality of life wherever he can.
Interests Reading (mostly non-fiction), taking naps, netflix, philosophy, backpacking
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Brynn Mix
Undergraduate student
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Environmental and Human Genomics/Genetics
Biography
Brynn is a sophomore from Arizona. She is starting off working with the eDNA team in filtering and extracting DNA. She loves hiking, repelling, and all naturalistic activities and hopes to understand and contribute to the beauty of this earth through genetics.
Interests Dancing (tap dance specifically), camping, roller skating, travel with family
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Environmental and Human Genomics/Genetics
Biography
Brynn is a sophomore from Arizona. She is starting off working with the eDNA team in filtering and extracting DNA. She loves hiking, repelling, and all naturalistic activities and hopes to understand and contribute to the beauty of this earth through genetics.
Interests Dancing (tap dance specifically), camping, roller skating, travel with family
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Will Warner
Undergraduate Student
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Evolutionary biology and bioinformatics
Biography
William is a senior from Idaho Falls, Idaho who loves learning from those with more experience than him. He is excited for the opportunity to apply his knowledge of genomics in a lab and natural environment.
Interests Tennis, running, concerts, snowboarding
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Evolutionary biology and bioinformatics
Biography
William is a senior from Idaho Falls, Idaho who loves learning from those with more experience than him. He is excited for the opportunity to apply his knowledge of genomics in a lab and natural environment.
Interests Tennis, running, concerts, snowboarding
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Naomi Young
Undergraduate student
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Bioinformatics and investigating silk proteins in Caddisfly.
Biography
Naomi is a Senior from Omaha, Nebraska. She’s been involved in wet lab protein design and computational enzyme design. She loves learning about how genetics and genomics explain natural phenomenon.
Interests Judo and Jiu Jitsu, bouldering, and reading fantasy (particularly Neil Gaiman and Brandon Sanderson).
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Bioinformatics and investigating silk proteins in Caddisfly.
Biography
Naomi is a Senior from Omaha, Nebraska. She’s been involved in wet lab protein design and computational enzyme design. She loves learning about how genetics and genomics explain natural phenomenon.
Interests Judo and Jiu Jitsu, bouldering, and reading fantasy (particularly Neil Gaiman and Brandon Sanderson).
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Sarah Buhman
Undergraduate Student
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interests
Evolutionary Genetics
Biography
Sarah is a sophomore from Orem, Utah. She loves learning about the relationship between the environment and genetics. She hopes to understand better the human impact on the environment. She loves to collect, identify, and preserve wildflowers.
Interests Roller skating, bird watching, and going to the gym.
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interests
Evolutionary Genetics
Biography
Sarah is a sophomore from Orem, Utah. She loves learning about the relationship between the environment and genetics. She hopes to understand better the human impact on the environment. She loves to collect, identify, and preserve wildflowers.
Interests Roller skating, bird watching, and going to the gym.
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Lillian Buck
Undergraduate Student
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Evolutionary Biology, Human Genetics/Genomics
Biography
Lilly is a sophomore from San Antonio, Texas. She loves learning about how the details of any subject work together to form the larger product. She is excited to learn and apply what knowledge she has gained.
Interests hiking, tennis, cooking, sewing, and reading
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Evolutionary Biology, Human Genetics/Genomics
Biography
Lilly is a sophomore from San Antonio, Texas. She loves learning about how the details of any subject work together to form the larger product. She is excited to learn and apply what knowledge she has gained.
Interests hiking, tennis, cooking, sewing, and reading
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Kimberly Madsen
Undergraduate student
Program
Genetics, Genomics & Biotechnology
Research Interest
eDNA, genomic analysis
Biography
Kimberly is a Senior from Idaho Falls, ID. She is inspired by the ways knowledge about genetics can help to improve the lives of our worldwide community and excited to discover new implications of what we can learn from nature.
Interests Running, tennis, baking, board games, reading fantasy novels, and piano/ukulele.
Program
Genetics, Genomics & Biotechnology
Research Interest
eDNA, genomic analysis
Biography
Kimberly is a Senior from Idaho Falls, ID. She is inspired by the ways knowledge about genetics can help to improve the lives of our worldwide community and excited to discover new implications of what we can learn from nature.
Interests Running, tennis, baking, board games, reading fantasy novels, and piano/ukulele.
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Ellie Gamett
Undergraduate student
Program
Biodiversity and Conservation
Research Interests
Ecological interactions, Conservation and sustainability, Global climate change
Biography
Ellie is a Junior from Las Vegas, NV. She loves learning about the natural world and experiencing the outdoors firsthand.
Interests traveling, music, food, and the beach
Program
Biodiversity and Conservation
Research Interests
Ecological interactions, Conservation and sustainability, Global climate change
Biography
Ellie is a Junior from Las Vegas, NV. She loves learning about the natural world and experiencing the outdoors firsthand.
Interests traveling, music, food, and the beach
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Danyon Gedris
Undergraduate student
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Genetics
Biography
Danyon is a Sophomore from Arizona who loves learning and discovering new things. He is starting to work with the eDNA team and excited to try out the many different opportunities the labs offer. He enjoys being outdoors and discovering new things.
Interests Tennis, singing, technology, hiking
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Genetics
Biography
Danyon is a Sophomore from Arizona who loves learning and discovering new things. He is starting to work with the eDNA team and excited to try out the many different opportunities the labs offer. He enjoys being outdoors and discovering new things.
Interests Tennis, singing, technology, hiking
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Jessica Wicks
Undergraduate Student
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Genetics, eDNA
Biography
Jessica is a Junior from Eugene, Oregon who is fascinated with all of the amazing things DNA can do. She is very excited to experience more of it firsthand in a lab setting.
Interests Writing and reading fantasy, singing, playing board games, baking, musical theater
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Genetics, eDNA
Biography
Jessica is a Junior from Eugene, Oregon who is fascinated with all of the amazing things DNA can do. She is very excited to experience more of it firsthand in a lab setting.
Interests Writing and reading fantasy, singing, playing board games, baking, musical theater
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Daniel Davis
Undergraduate Student
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Genetics
Biography
Daniel is a Junior from Newark, Delaware. He enjoys being outdoors and observing nature, learning how the world works, and taking pictures of bugs he finds on the sidewalk.
Interests Reading and writing fantasy, going for walks, watching The Empire Strikes Back, taking care of his pet crested geckos
Program
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Research Interest
Genetics
Biography
Daniel is a Junior from Newark, Delaware. He enjoys being outdoors and observing nature, learning how the world works, and taking pictures of bugs he finds on the sidewalk.
Interests Reading and writing fantasy, going for walks, watching The Empire Strikes Back, taking care of his pet crested geckos
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Anne Monson
Undergraduate student
Program
Biology, Civic Engagement
Research Interest
Aquatic Entomology, Decomposition, Conservation Ecology
Biography
Anne is a junior from Orem, Utah. She loves getting dirty trying new field work strategies, calling strangers on the phone, and learning how individual species connect to the wider health of an area. She hopes the understanding she gains now about the applications of genetics and disturbance recovery will serve her as she is a citizen advocate for conservation.
Interests Singing, Sewing/Cosplay, Podcasts, Urban Design
Program
Biology, Civic Engagement
Research Interest
Aquatic Entomology, Decomposition, Conservation Ecology
Biography
Anne is a junior from Orem, Utah. She loves getting dirty trying new field work strategies, calling strangers on the phone, and learning how individual species connect to the wider health of an area. She hopes the understanding she gains now about the applications of genetics and disturbance recovery will serve her as she is a citizen advocate for conservation.
Interests Singing, Sewing/Cosplay, Podcasts, Urban Design
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Derek Polson
Undergraduate student
Program
Undecided
Research Interest
Genetics and CRISPR
Biography
Derek is a freshman from Castle Rock, Colorado who loves to do anything outdoors. He is excited to learn about genetics and its role in the environment.
Interests fly fishing, climbing, and skiing.
Program
Undecided
Research Interest
Genetics and CRISPR
Biography
Derek is a freshman from Castle Rock, Colorado who loves to do anything outdoors. He is excited to learn about genetics and its role in the environment.
Interests fly fishing, climbing, and skiing.
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Past Lab Members
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KC Rawlinson
Graduate student - Masters
(2019 - 2021)
Biography
He received his undergrad from SUU in Biology. After he graduated, he worked as a high school biology teacher. Teaching genetics in his classes led him to pursue a Biotechnology and Genetics Master's Degree at BYU. KC received his M.S. and is now doing special forces training in the U.S. Army.
(2019 - 2021)
Biography
He received his undergrad from SUU in Biology. After he graduated, he worked as a high school biology teacher. Teaching genetics in his classes led him to pursue a Biotechnology and Genetics Master's Degree at BYU. KC received his M.S. and is now doing special forces training in the U.S. Army.
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Alec Vaughan
Undergraduate student
2021
Biography
Alec has always sought to understand the world around him better and is inspired by biodiversity. He is now exploring applications of biotechnology in medicine.
2021
Biography
Alec has always sought to understand the world around him better and is inspired by biodiversity. He is now exploring applications of biotechnology in medicine.
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Hannah Landeen
Undergraduate student
2020
Biography
Hannah loves exploring areas where the arts and sciences intersect and collaborate. She wants to encourage her future art students to include their diverse interests into their artwork. She is now pursuing a career in teaching.
2020
Biography
Hannah loves exploring areas where the arts and sciences intersect and collaborate. She wants to encourage her future art students to include their diverse interests into their artwork. She is now pursuing a career in teaching.
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Sarah Stoddard
Undergraduate student
2021
Biography
Sarah has always loved learning about animals and plants and helped the lab by producing scientific illustrations.
2021
Biography
Sarah has always loved learning about animals and plants and helped the lab by producing scientific illustrations.
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Anna Eichert
Undergraduate student
(2019-2022)
Biography
Anna is a previous lab manager who is moving on to obtain her PhD at the American Museum of Natural History. She will be studying the evolutionary history of winter stoneflies (Capniidae) and is super stoked to continue learning!!
(2019-2022)
Biography
Anna is a previous lab manager who is moving on to obtain her PhD at the American Museum of Natural History. She will be studying the evolutionary history of winter stoneflies (Capniidae) and is super stoked to continue learning!!
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Andrew Sheffield
Undergraduate student
(2019-2022)
Biography
Andrew worked with eDNA while in the lab. He is now pursuing medical laboratory science and will be working at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City after graduating. He hopes to go onto medical school in the future.
(2019-2022)
Biography
Andrew worked with eDNA while in the lab. He is now pursuing medical laboratory science and will be working at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City after graduating. He hopes to go onto medical school in the future.
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Sloane Wheeler
Undergraduate student
(2021-2022)
Biography
Sloane helped sort and identify malaise trap samples. She is now exploring other majors on campus and is considering going into business.
(2021-2022)
Biography
Sloane helped sort and identify malaise trap samples. She is now exploring other majors on campus and is considering going into business.
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Past Lab Members
Ethan Tolman (2020-2021)
Emily Coenen (2020-2021)
Sam Hirst (2020-2021)
Seth Wilson (2018-2021)
Adam Taylor (2018-2021)
Madeline Bursell (2018-2021)
Kennedy Christensen (2020)
Lindsey Olsen (2018-2021)
Stephanie Soelberg (2019-2020)
Abby Jenkins (2019)
Shelby Gold (2019)
Lindsay Greenburg (2019)
Makinnon Baugh (2019)
Chris Castro (2018-2019)
Lauren Bryson (2019)
Emily Mullis (2018)
Avery Olsen (2018)