Justin Ramsey completed his PhD in Botany at the University of Washington, and was an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Guelph. He joined the University of Rochester’s faculty in 2006. Justin’s research is focused on speciation, adaptation and biosystematics of the North American yarrows (Achillea borealis, Asteraceae)-- a complex of ecological races occurring in diverse climatic and edaphic conditions. Justin teaches the biology department’s course in Ecology.
Tara Ramsey completed her graduate studies in Botany at Miami University (MSc) and the University of Washington (PhD). She joined the University of Rochester’s staff in 2006. Tara’s research is focused on the invasion biology of English ivy (Hedera spp., Araliaceae), an ornamental vine that has become an aggressive invader in North American coastal forests. Tara teaches the biology department’s lab courses in Genetics and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.
Adam Green completed his BSc and MSc in Cellular & Molecular Biology at the University of Rochester. He began his PhD studies in the Ramsey lab in 2006. Adam’s research is focused on molecular systematics and biogeography of ivies (Hedera spp., Araliaceae) in their native and introduced range. He is also interested in the ecology and evolution of invasive plant populations. Adam is a teaching assistant for department courses in Genetics, Ecology and the Ecology/Evolutionary Biology lab.
Rob Laport completed his BSc in Biology at Oregon State University and then worked for several years at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Institute in Seattle. He began his PhD studies in the Ramsey lab in 2007. Rob’s research combines field-experiments and molecular data to study phylogeography and polyploid speciation in creosote bush (Larrea spp., Zygophyllaceae). Rob is a teaching assistant for department courses in Genetics and the Ecology/Evolutionary Biology lab.
Erin Fox completed her BSc in Biology at the University of Rochester. She was a de Kieweit Fellow and conducted independent research in the Ramsey lab from 2006-2008. Erin’s research evaluated interspecific hybridization and introgression between Silver Maple and Red Maple in upstate New York. She graduated in May 2008 and until recently has worked at the UR genomics center. Erin entered the PhD program in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut in fall 2009.
Emily Reiss completed her BSc in Earth & Environmental Science at the University of Rochester. She was a teaching assistant for BIO 263 Ecology, maintained Achillea accessions in the UR greenhouse and conducted independent research in the Ramsey lab from 2006-2008. Emily’s research focused on the occurrence of triploidy in Hedera, and its potential utility for producing sterile cultivars. Emily graduated in May 2008 and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she now works in the energy efficiency industry.
Owen Hardy is an undergraduate Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major at the University of Rochester. He worked in the Ramsey lab 2006-2008. Owen assisted with a variety of research projects, including studies of the invasion biology of English ivy, polyploidy in yarrow and creosote bush and interspecific hybridization in maples.
Ariel Simons completed her B.Sc. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology major at the University of Rochester. She worked in the Ramsey lab in 2008-2009. Ariel was a teaching assistant for BIO 263 Ecology and helped with several research projects, including the invasion biology of English ivy and vegetation comparisons of mature vs. second growth woodlands of University of Rochester woodlands. In November 2009, Ariel is starting work with the Peace Corp., where she will serve in Lesotho, Africa.
Melanie Carter completed her BSc. in Environmental Sciences major at SUNY-Brockport. She has worked part-time in the Ramsey lab since 2008. Melanie has working on several research projects, including the invasion biology of English ivy and simulation models of polyploid formation and establishment. Melanie is entering the PhD program at SUNY-ESF in fall 2009.
Margaret Ball is an undergraduate Anthropology major at the University of Rochester. She has conducted independent research in the Ramsey lab since 2008. Margaret has studied hybridization between native crab-apples and feral apples as well as aquatic plant communities in the UR woodlands. Over the summer, Margaret completed an internship at the Farmscape Ecology Program in Columbia Co., New York.
Nitasha Dhiman is an undergraduate Biology major at the University of Rochester. She conducted independent research in the Ramsey lab in 2008-2009 Nitasha studied interspecific hybridization between crab-apples and feral apples as well as amphibian diversity in the University of Rochester woodlands.
Alison Ossip-Klein is an undergraduate Ecology & Evolutionary Biology major at the University of Rochester. She conducted independent research in the Ramsey lab in 2008-2009. Allison evaluated the diameter (DBH), height and taxonomic composition of “old trees” in University of Rochester woodlands. Allison recently completed an REU studying mating signals, sexual selection and behavior in birds at Arizona State University.
Becky Domalski is an undergraduate Ecology & Evolutionary Biology major at the University of Rochester. She began independent research in the Ramsey lab in 2009. Becky studied habitat isolation between Red Maples and Silver Maples in the spring and is now evaluating the distribution of understory plant communities in relation to soil features on the University of Rochester south campus.
Liz Jaenike was a part-time greenhouse assistant in the Ramsey lab for 2008-2009. Liz maintained Achillea and Hedera accessions in the UR greenhouse, growth-room and experimental garden. Liz is now a full-time student in the nursing program at MCC.
Maria Strangas is an undergraduate Ecology & Evolutionary Biology major at the University of Rochester. She studied diversity and abundance of amphibians in the UR woodlands (spring 2009) and
reproductive success of loggerhead sea turtles in Kyparissia, Greece (summer 2009). Maria is now a teaching assistant for BIO 263 Ecology.
Laney Widener is an undergraduate Ecology & Evolutionary Biology major at the University of Rochester. She has conducted independent research in the Ramsey lab since 2008. Laney studied the size and reproductive status of American Chestnuts in UR woodlands. She is now characterizing the spatial distribution and abundance of oriental bittersweet, honeysuckle, buckthorn and other invasive plants on the University of Rochester south campus for her senior thesis.
Justin Budnik is an undergraduate Ecology & Evolutionary Biology major at the University of Rochester. He has conducted independent research in the Ramsey lab since 2009. For his senior thesis, Justin Budnik is characterizing understory plant communities in the UR woodlands, with comparisons between areas of different environmental history (mature forests vs. young second growth) and edaphic characteristics.
Hannah Pullman is an undergraduate Ecology & Evolutionary Biology major at the University of Rochester. Hannah P. studied amphibian and reptile diversity (spring 2009). Over the summer, she was funded by the Garden Club of America to study avian communities in the University of Rochester woodlands, with comparisons of mature forest, second growth forest and marsh habitats. She is continuing this project for her senior project.
Hannah McDonough is an undergraduate Earth & Environmental Sciences major at the University of Rochester. She has worked in the Ramsey and Garzione labs since 2008. For her senior thesis, Hannah is studying genetic and environmental contributions to water use efficiency and C13 fractionation in the North American Achillea, a complex of ecological races that occurs in diverse climatic and edaphic conditions.
