MEET THE LAB
ALISON M. BELL
Professor, Richard and margaret romano Professional Scholar
Leader, Gene Networks in Neural and Developmental Plasticity theme at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
Director, Kellner Center for Neurogenomics, Behavior and Society
Education and postdoc
BA History, Philosophy & Social Studies of Science &
Medicine, University of Chicago
PhD Population Biology, University of California, Davis AAUW Postdoctoral fellow, University of California, Davis NSF Postdoctoral fellow, University of Glasgow
AFFILIATIONS at the university of Illinois

CURRENT MEMBERS
tina barbasch
Postdoc
https://tinabarbasch.weebly.com
Victoria Farrar
Postdoc
I am broadly interested in the neuroendocrine and physiological mechanisms of parental care and reproduction, and how selection might shape those mechanisms. Currently, I am comparing neural hormone responsiveness and gonadal gene regulation in two stickleback populations that have recently diverged in their reproductive strategies.
Website: https://vsfarrar.github.io/


Colby Behrens
Postdoc
My research focuses on parental care and its underlying genetic mechanisms. To better understand the connection between genome and behavior I’m currently studying two stickleback populations that vary greatly in the level and type of care provided to their offspring.
Meghan MAcIEJewski
PHD Student
Evolution, Ecology and Behavior
My research is focused on two populations of stickleback (whites and commons) that differ dramatically in their levels of parental investment. I’m currently investigating the neural and hormonal mechanisms underlying these recently evolved differences in caregiving.


Kevin Neumann
Phd student, Program in Ecology, Evolution, and conservation
USAN DAN
PHD STUDENT, NEUROSCIENCE


FACUNDO FERNANDEZ-DUQUE
Phd student, Program in Ecology, Evolution, and conservation
Meg tucker
Lab manager
I am an undergraduate studying biology at Parkland College, alongside my work on three independent research projects and participation in a global research project. Independent projects are focused on evolutionary divergence in age and behavior and are performed under the direction of doctoral candidate, Colby Behrens.

LAB ALUMNI

Shala Hankison
Postdoc
Now: Associate Professor
Ohio Wesleyan University

Lauren Pintor
Postdoc
Now: Associate Professor
The Ohio State University

Kate Laskowski
PhD Student
Now: Assistant Professor
University of California – Davis

Brett Mommer
PhD Student
Next: Postdoc, Ghent University

Eric Giesing
Master's Student
Next: Educator
Kansas Wetlands Education Center

Lauren Hostert
Undergrad |
Lab Manager
Next: Master’s Student
The Ohio State University

Kelly Hogan
Undergrad
Next: Graduate Student
Clemson University

Matt (Grobis) Sosna
Undergrad
Next: Graduate Student
Princeton University

Danny Roche
Undergrad
Next: Intern at STRI

Dave Ernst
Undergrad | Lab Manager
Next: PhD Student
UNC Chapel Hill

Osee Sanogo
Postdoc
Now: CDC

Molly Kent
PhD Student | Postdoc
Now: Assistant Professor
Virginia Military Institute

Simon Pearish
PhD Student
Now: Associate Professor
Norwich University

Katie McGhee
Postdoc
Now: Associate Professor
Sewanee University

Ryan Paitz
Postdoc
Now: Assistant Professor
Illinois State University

Laura Stein
PhD Student
Now: Assistant Professor
University of Oklahoma

Emma Murdoch
Lab Manager
Next: Graduate Student
University of Houston

Rebecca Halpin
Lab Manager
Next: Graduate Student
University of California – Davis

Rebecca Trapp
Undergrad | Lab Manager
Now: Graduate Student
Purdue University

Weiran (Rosie) Zhang
Lab Manager
Next: Vet Med Student

Chloe Monestier
Postdoc
Next: Postdoc
France

Erika Carlson
Undergrad | Lab Manager
Next: Postbac
NIDA

Miles Bensky
PhD Student | Postdoc
Now: Behavior Scientist at Nestle Purina, St Louis

Noelle James
PhD Student
Next: Lab Manager, UIUC

Jennifer Hellmann
Postdoc
Now: Assistant Professor
The Ohio State University

Katie Julkowski
Lab manager
Next: Business school

Jason Keagy
Postdoc

Abbas Bukhari
Grad student and Postdoc
Now: Research scientist, NIH

Eric Arredondo
Lab manager
Next: grad student, University of Oklahoma (Stein Lab)