Principal Investigator
|
Antonio R. CastillaDr. Antonio R. Castilla has served as an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Biology, Ecology, and Evolution at Oklahoma State University since 2023. His research spans plant ecology, molecular ecology, and evolutionary biology. Dr. Castilla's program focuses on (i) understanding how past climate changes and landscape heterogeneity shape the genetic structure of plant populations, and (ii) assessing the evolutionary capacity of these populations to adapt to future environmental changes. Learn more about him in his OSU CAS Faculty Spotlight profile
|
Graduate students
|
Ryan SilverRyan is a PhD student studying local adaptive genetic variation in shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) along an environmental gradient. His research combines genomics, fieldwork, experimental studies, and modeling. Ryan aspires to continue his research career and leads his research lab. He spends his free time reading, writing music, and doing film photography.
|
|
Isabelle HudsonIsabelle (Izzy) Hudson is a MS student in Plant Biology. She is utilizing a combination of morphological and genetic information to research potential hybridization between Quercus havardii and Q. stellata She would like to pursue a career in herbarium management and hopes to use her varied background to improve preservation techniques for research/data collection. Outside of academics, she enjoys traveling, art, and horseback riding.
|
Undergraduate students
|
Lana DanielsLana is interested in conservation ecology, specifically ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. She plans to attend graduate school to explore the effects of disturbance on ecological relationships across all taxa. At Castilla Lab, she is using genomic and morphological data to examine the hybridization of two oak species, Quercus grisea and Q. pungens. She is driven by a personal appreciation of the outdoors and love to spend time in nature hiking or rock climbing.
|
|
Gemini HoffmanGemini is interested in plant community dynamics and its intersection with habitat heterogeneity. She is investigating how habitat fragmentation and hybridization contribute to the spatial genetic structure of oak populations. She would like to pursue a career in habitat ecology or as a park naturalist to foster people's appreciation for environment. She enjoys traveling and spending time hiking, painting with acrylic and swimming.
|
Lainey Kirshberger
|
Lainey is conducting genomic analyses to investigate potential hybridization between Quercus welshii and several other oak species, including Q. gambelii and Q. turbinella. She aspires to a career in conservation, where she hopes to educate the public about the history and sustainable use of natural resources. In her free time, she enjoys rowing, reading, and photography.
|
Jorin Stockebrand
|
Jorin is a Plant Biology major with a deep fascination for plants, especially microscopic structures and their role in species identification. His research project focuses on leaf trichomes in different oak species of the Quercus x undulata complex, exploring their potential for distinguishing species and hybrids. When he is not in the lab, he loves spending time outdoors with his wife, hiking whenever he gets the chance. At home, he is all about good music and being a proud cat dad.
|
Kirby Wilcox
|
Kirby is pursuing bachelor's degrees in Biochemistry and Microbiology, with a minor in American Sign Language. He plans to become a dentist and has a strong interest in data-driven research. Kirby is conducting data analysis to optimize plant biodiversity monitoring, focusing on improving sampling methods for environmental DNA. Outside of research, he enjoys exploring nature, especially aquatic environments, and is actively involved in volunteering and leadership roles.
|
Former students
|
Ekram Al Daerwish |
|
Cade Seabolt |