PhD Students
Sarah J. Shainker Connelly
PhD candidate (2020-present)
sjs2@uab.edu
Blazer Fellow (2020-2022)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (2022-2025)
@SarahShainker
Bio: I grew up in Atlanta, GA, and earned a B.S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston in 2016. At CofC, I worked in a molecular ecology lab studying the invasive history and evolutionary adaptation of the seaweed Agarophyton vermiculophyllum, where I became fascinated with using molecular techniques as a tool for answering ecological and evolutionary questions. After graduating, I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines’ Coastal Resource Management sector, where I worked closely with a local municipal government unit to conduct outreach with local fisherfolk organizations and to organize environmental education programs for citizen and student groups. During this time, I developed strong interests in community organizing, environmental management, outreach, and equity in STEM.
Research: My research focuses on red macroalgae in freshwater streams in the eastern U.S. Macroalgae are important, but understudied members of these systems, with unique life cycles and diverse reproductive strategies. I will use field surveys and population genetics to investigate the evolution and ecology of the life cycle and reproductive systems, and hope to work with community scientists to better understand the diversity and distribution of freshwater red macroalgal species. I am excited to study and engage others in the incredibly diverse freshwater ecosystems of my home region!
PhD candidate (2020-present)
sjs2@uab.edu
Blazer Fellow (2020-2022)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (2022-2025)
@SarahShainker
Bio: I grew up in Atlanta, GA, and earned a B.S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston in 2016. At CofC, I worked in a molecular ecology lab studying the invasive history and evolutionary adaptation of the seaweed Agarophyton vermiculophyllum, where I became fascinated with using molecular techniques as a tool for answering ecological and evolutionary questions. After graduating, I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines’ Coastal Resource Management sector, where I worked closely with a local municipal government unit to conduct outreach with local fisherfolk organizations and to organize environmental education programs for citizen and student groups. During this time, I developed strong interests in community organizing, environmental management, outreach, and equity in STEM.
Research: My research focuses on red macroalgae in freshwater streams in the eastern U.S. Macroalgae are important, but understudied members of these systems, with unique life cycles and diverse reproductive strategies. I will use field surveys and population genetics to investigate the evolution and ecology of the life cycle and reproductive systems, and hope to work with community scientists to better understand the diversity and distribution of freshwater red macroalgal species. I am excited to study and engage others in the incredibly diverse freshwater ecosystems of my home region!
Alexis Oetterer
PhD student (2022-present)
oetterer@uab.edu
Krueger-Hadfield Lab Technician 2021
Blazer Fellow (2022-2024)
@AlexisOetterer
Bio: I grew up in Washington, Missouri and earned a B.S. in Biology and minor in Spanish from Truman State University in 2021. As an undergrad, I worked in a maize genetics lab and then in a lab focused on developing molecular models of CFTR protein. I also had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Costa Rica, which solidified my interest in marine ecology and evolution. During the summer of 2020, I was an REU student at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and studied the predator-prey dynamics of Dinophysis spp. and Mesodinium spp. After graduating, I spent the summer at Friday Harbor Laboratories on San Juan Island and studied kelp gametophyte settlement and recruitment.
Research: I’m interested in studying life cycle evolution. My research will focus on testing two main hypotheses at the intersection of life cycles and reproductive systems.
PhD student (2022-present)
oetterer@uab.edu
Krueger-Hadfield Lab Technician 2021
Blazer Fellow (2022-2024)
@AlexisOetterer
Bio: I grew up in Washington, Missouri and earned a B.S. in Biology and minor in Spanish from Truman State University in 2021. As an undergrad, I worked in a maize genetics lab and then in a lab focused on developing molecular models of CFTR protein. I also had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Costa Rica, which solidified my interest in marine ecology and evolution. During the summer of 2020, I was an REU student at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and studied the predator-prey dynamics of Dinophysis spp. and Mesodinium spp. After graduating, I spent the summer at Friday Harbor Laboratories on San Juan Island and studied kelp gametophyte settlement and recruitment.
Research: I’m interested in studying life cycle evolution. My research will focus on testing two main hypotheses at the intersection of life cycles and reproductive systems.
Taylor Williams
PhD student (2022-present)
tmwilli4@uab.edu
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar (2022-2026)
Bio: I grew up in San Luis Obispo, CA and earned my B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Hawai'i, Mānoa (UHM) in 2020. While at UHM, I was a Marine Option Program student and active scientific diver allowing me to use SCUBA to collect data for numerous different projects. After graduating from UHM, I earned my M.S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston where I had the opportunity to study the reproductive system of a cryptogenic invasive seaweed found in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. During this time, I became interested in the application of molecular techniques in the study of invasion ecology and how these techniques can be applied to aid in the management and protection of our natural resources.
Research: My research focuses on a cryptogenic rhodophyte, Chondria tumulosa, that is acting invasively within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. I will be using molecular techniques to further our understanding of the reproductive system and population structure of this species from the breadth of its currently known distribution. This research will aid in the management of this marine national monument and will progress our understanding of the evolution and ecology of red algal life cycles and reproductive systems, while emphasizing the importance of place-based science.
PhD student (2022-present)
tmwilli4@uab.edu
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar (2022-2026)
Bio: I grew up in San Luis Obispo, CA and earned my B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Hawai'i, Mānoa (UHM) in 2020. While at UHM, I was a Marine Option Program student and active scientific diver allowing me to use SCUBA to collect data for numerous different projects. After graduating from UHM, I earned my M.S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston where I had the opportunity to study the reproductive system of a cryptogenic invasive seaweed found in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. During this time, I became interested in the application of molecular techniques in the study of invasion ecology and how these techniques can be applied to aid in the management and protection of our natural resources.
Research: My research focuses on a cryptogenic rhodophyte, Chondria tumulosa, that is acting invasively within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. I will be using molecular techniques to further our understanding of the reproductive system and population structure of this species from the breadth of its currently known distribution. This research will aid in the management of this marine national monument and will progress our understanding of the evolution and ecology of red algal life cycles and reproductive systems, while emphasizing the importance of place-based science.
Masters Students
Brinkley Thornton
Master's Plan I MS student (2021-present)
bthorn99@uab.edu
Bio: I was born and raised in Cullman, Alabama, which is luckily near many diverse ecological ecosystems that sparked a love for hiking and being outdoors in general from a young age. That, along with significant influence from my favorite high school biology teacher, inspired me to pursue a degree in Biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I am currently an undergraduate student pursuing both a B.S. and M.S. in Biology concurrently through the UAB Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s program. I am also a member of UAB’s University Honors Program. Through my courses, I have developed an even stronger love for subjects such as plant biology, ecology, and genetics, which led me to have the honor of being able to join the Krueger-Hadfield lab. Through my experience with this lab, I am excited to gain the necessary research experience I will need to further my learning and experience in the field of evolutionary ecology in hopes of someday pursing a Ph.D.
Master's Plan I MS student (2021-present)
bthorn99@uab.edu
Bio: I was born and raised in Cullman, Alabama, which is luckily near many diverse ecological ecosystems that sparked a love for hiking and being outdoors in general from a young age. That, along with significant influence from my favorite high school biology teacher, inspired me to pursue a degree in Biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I am currently an undergraduate student pursuing both a B.S. and M.S. in Biology concurrently through the UAB Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s program. I am also a member of UAB’s University Honors Program. Through my courses, I have developed an even stronger love for subjects such as plant biology, ecology, and genetics, which led me to have the honor of being able to join the Krueger-Hadfield lab. Through my experience with this lab, I am excited to gain the necessary research experience I will need to further my learning and experience in the field of evolutionary ecology in hopes of someday pursing a Ph.D.