Rebecca Irwin
Associate Professor
I am a community and evolutionary ecologist and am passionate about plants, pollinators, and their interactions. Current research projects include how pollinators and pollination are responding to environmental change (invasive species, urbanization, and climate change), exploitation of pollination mutualisms, and effects of secondary compounds on pollinators and their parasites. Email
Associate Professor
I am a community and evolutionary ecologist and am passionate about plants, pollinators, and their interactions. Current research projects include how pollinators and pollination are responding to environmental change (invasive species, urbanization, and climate change), exploitation of pollination mutualisms, and effects of secondary compounds on pollinators and their parasites. Email
Christine Urbanowicz
Ph.D. student
I conduct research in multi-species interactions and landscape ecology. I am particularly interested in the differential responses of interacting species to environmental change and how this influences the distributions of these species. Right now I am exploring plant-pollinator interactions in the changing Arctic. Website, Email
Ph.D. student
I conduct research in multi-species interactions and landscape ecology. I am particularly interested in the differential responses of interacting species to environmental change and how this influences the distributions of these species. Right now I am exploring plant-pollinator interactions in the changing Arctic. Website, Email
Gabriella Pardee
Ph.D. student
I am interested in examining the effects of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions. Specifically, I am studying how early snowmelt and frost affects plant communities and plant-pollinator interactions. I conduct my research at the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab. Website, Email
Ph.D. student
I am interested in examining the effects of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions. Specifically, I am studying how early snowmelt and frost affects plant communities and plant-pollinator interactions. I conduct my research at the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab. Website, Email
Jacob Heiling
Ph.D. student
I am interested in the eco-evolutionary dynamics of cooperative species interactions. My focus is the cost-benefit balance in plant-animal interactions— specifically, the ways in which floral visitors and frugivores direct trait evolution in their plant partners, and how plant traits in turn direct animal behavior. In my dissertation work, I will address the questions: How do plants balance the benefits of pollination against the cost of providing nutritional rewards? What roles do pollen secondary compounds play in plant reproduction and plant-pollinator interactions? My fieldwork is based at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado. Website, Email
Ph.D. student
I am interested in the eco-evolutionary dynamics of cooperative species interactions. My focus is the cost-benefit balance in plant-animal interactions— specifically, the ways in which floral visitors and frugivores direct trait evolution in their plant partners, and how plant traits in turn direct animal behavior. In my dissertation work, I will address the questions: How do plants balance the benefits of pollination against the cost of providing nutritional rewards? What roles do pollen secondary compounds play in plant reproduction and plant-pollinator interactions? My fieldwork is based at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado. Website, Email
Jessica Kettenbach
Ph.D. student
I am interested in environmental disturbances and how they affect plant-pollinator interactions. While my background is in the effects of climate change and invasive species in alpine habitats, my dissertation research will examine conservation potential of urban systems for pollinators and their host plants.
Ph.D. student
I am interested in environmental disturbances and how they affect plant-pollinator interactions. While my background is in the effects of climate change and invasive species in alpine habitats, my dissertation research will examine conservation potential of urban systems for pollinators and their host plants.
Jonathan Giacomini
Ph.D. student
I’m currently conducting multiple experiments that investigate the influence of floral secondary compounds on bumble bee disease dynamics. I’m particularly interested in the role that pollen plays in managing bee health and pollination services.
Ph.D. student
I’m currently conducting multiple experiments that investigate the influence of floral secondary compounds on bumble bee disease dynamics. I’m particularly interested in the role that pollen plays in managing bee health and pollination services.
Sara June Connon
Research technician
I graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. As an undergraduate, I conducted an independent study testing the effects of a commonly sprayed fungicide on pathogen dynamics within bumble bees. My goal is to discover how to help bees when faced with disease in a fragmented agrochemical landscape. As a lab technician in the Irwin lab, I will foresee experiments that test the influence of nectar secondary compounds on a common gut pathogen, Crithidia bombi, found in bumble bees. In the future, I look forward to entering grad school to continue research protecting our precious pollinators.
Research technician
I graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. As an undergraduate, I conducted an independent study testing the effects of a commonly sprayed fungicide on pathogen dynamics within bumble bees. My goal is to discover how to help bees when faced with disease in a fragmented agrochemical landscape. As a lab technician in the Irwin lab, I will foresee experiments that test the influence of nectar secondary compounds on a common gut pathogen, Crithidia bombi, found in bumble bees. In the future, I look forward to entering grad school to continue research protecting our precious pollinators.
Alison Fowler
Research technician
I am interested in the evolution and ecology of plant-insect interactions. In particular, I hope to explore what makes an efficient pollinator (i.e. behavior, morphology, immune response) and how this mutualism can be maintained amidst shifting selective pressures due to environmental change and human activities. I plan to pursue these research topics in graduate school next fall.
Research technician
I am interested in the evolution and ecology of plant-insect interactions. In particular, I hope to explore what makes an efficient pollinator (i.e. behavior, morphology, immune response) and how this mutualism can be maintained amidst shifting selective pressures due to environmental change and human activities. I plan to pursue these research topics in graduate school next fall.
Past lab members
Graduate students
Zak Gezon
Ph.D., 2015: Current position: Conservation Program Manager, Walt Disney World. Website
Leif Richardson
Ph.D., 2014: Current position: USDA NIFA Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Vermont. Website, Email
Robert Schaeffer
Ph.D., 2013: Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Tufts University.
Adrian Carper
Ph.D., 2013. Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Colorado. Website
Laura Burkle
Ph.D., 2008. Current position: Assistant Professor of Ecology, Montana State University. Website
Susan Elliott
Ph.D., 2008. Current position: Painter and writer, Pinyon Publishing, Montrose, CO. Website
Post-docs
Jessamyn Manson. Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Alberta. Website
Shana McDermott. Current position: Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico. Website
Jeffrey Evans. Current position: Post-doctoral associate, USDA
Graduate students
Zak Gezon
Ph.D., 2015: Current position: Conservation Program Manager, Walt Disney World. Website
Leif Richardson
Ph.D., 2014: Current position: USDA NIFA Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Vermont. Website, Email
Robert Schaeffer
Ph.D., 2013: Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Tufts University.
Adrian Carper
Ph.D., 2013. Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Colorado. Website
Laura Burkle
Ph.D., 2008. Current position: Assistant Professor of Ecology, Montana State University. Website
Susan Elliott
Ph.D., 2008. Current position: Painter and writer, Pinyon Publishing, Montrose, CO. Website
Post-docs
Jessamyn Manson. Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Alberta. Website
Shana McDermott. Current position: Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico. Website
Jeffrey Evans. Current position: Post-doctoral associate, USDA
