Meet The Team

Principal Investigator

Anne Bronikowski

Anne earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Mathematical Biology from Marquette University. She earned her PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Chicago. Her research interests are in life-history genetics, evolutionary ecology of life histories, and comparative physiology. When she is not in the lab, Anne enjoys spending time with her family and her dog Kimber, drinking coffee, and playing Sheepshead (Schafkopf) and Euchre.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Jamie Marks

marksso1@msu.edu

Jamie earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Indiana University, and earned her PhD in Integrative Biology from University of New Orleans. She is a post-doc in the Bronikowski lab working on the NSF-funded Biological Integration Institute: IISAGE. She studies sex-specific aging in reptiles and is interested in how mitochondrial function differs between and within sexes and across ages. She looks forward to incorporating measurements of reactive oxygen species and other free radicals to complement theses studies. Outside of science, she enjoys traveling, crafting with her friends, and hanging out with her cats.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Paul Decena

decenalo@msu.edu

Paul earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a specialty in Biotechnology from ITESI in Mexico. He graduated with his Masters and PhD, both in Plant Biotechnology from UGA - CINVESTAV. His research interests include the evolution of genome size, genome architecture, and its consequences on phenotypic and life history traits. He is currently working on understanding the relationship between chromatin conformation and sex-specific aging in reptiles. Outside of the lab, Paul enjoys board games, reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, and good movies. He also enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, camping, and rock climbing.

Research Technician

Alex Sills

sillsale@msu.edu

Alex graduated with dual Bachelor of Science degrees from Michigan State University in Zoology and Environmental Biology in 2023. In the fall of 2024, Alex will be pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. She joined the Bronikowksi Lab as a part time research assistant in May of 2023, and continued as a full time technician in August of 2023. She helps in the Bronikowski Lab on aging research, as well as innate immunity. Her research interests revolve around animal welfare, evolution, and animal behavior. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking treats, crocheting, SCUBA diving with her friends, and finding the best cafe for chai lattes.

Collaborating Graduate Student

Morgan Clark

clark151@msu.edu

Morgan graduated from Pepperdine University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Hispanic Studies. She is currently earning her PhD from Michigan State University in the laboratory of Fred Janzen. She is working in the Bronikowski lab on corticosterone and other physiological measures, and their ability to predict behavior. Her research interests include animal behavior, behavioral plasticity in response to environmental change, and transgenerational and maternal effects on behavior. For fun, Morgan enjoys finding new coffee shops, playing animal crossing, and reading science fiction.

Alumni from Iowa State University

Former Postdoctoral Researchers

Luke Hoekstra, PhD (EEOB 2016-19) - Current Position: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

Suzanne McGaugh, PhD (EEOB 2014) - Current Position: Associate Professor, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

Elizabeth Addis, PhD (Genetics, Cellular Bio 2011-12) - Current Position: Associate Professor, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

M. Gabriela Palacios, PhD (EEOB 2010-11) - Current Position: Research Scientist, CONICET, Argentina

David Miller, PhD (EEOB 2010) - Current Position: Associate Professor, Penn State University, University Park, PA

Kylie Robert, PhD (EEOB 2005-07) - Current Position: Associate Professor, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, AU

Former Doctoral Students

Andrea Rabinowitz, PhD (EEB 2021) - Current Position: External Programs Manager, Maryland Science Center, Baltimore, MD

Kaitlyn Holden, PhD (EEB, 2020) - Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Eric Gangloff, PhD (EEB 2016) - Current Position: Assistant Professor, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH

Tonia Schwartz, PhD (Genetics 2012) - Current Position: Associate Professor, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Dawn Reding, PhD (EEB 2011) - Current Position: Associate Professor, Luther College, Dekora, IA

Amanda Sparkman, PhD (EEB 2009) - Current Position: Associate Professor & Chair, Biology, Westmont College, Monterey, CA

Former Masters Students

Ashley Hedrick, MS (EEB 2021) - Current Position: Associate Biologist, Western EcoSystems Technologies, Cheyenne, WY

Jeremy Andersen, MS (EEB 2019) - Current Position: Project Manager, US Army Corps of Engineers, Billings, MT

Shikha Parsai, MS (Genetics 2013) - Current Position: Senior Associate, Abeona (Gene) Therapeutics, Cleveland, OH

Megan Manes, MS (EEB 2011) - Current Position: Adjunct Instructor, Potomac State College, Keyser, WV

Former Lab Managers

Greta Kutz (2019-20) - Current Position: Clinical Research Coordinator, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MS

Dana Barker (2004-06)

Former Undergraduate Students

Elizabeth Hannan (Biology 2019-22) - Current Position: PhD Candidate, Genetics, University of Iowa

Ebony Trout (Animal Ecology 2019-22) - Current Position: Zookeeper, Memphis Zoo, Memphis, TN

Miranda Tanner (Animal Ecology 2021) - Current Position: Zookeeper and Intern Coordinator, Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, IA

Kyrsten Rowen (Genetics 2021) - Current Position: Clinical Assistant, Minnesota Oncology, Roberts, WI

Carson Leno (Animal Ecology 2021)

Gabrielle Dubansky, MS (Biology 2021) - Current Position: Graduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Alexander Walden (Biology 2021) - Current Position: Manufacturing Associate, Volt, Ankeny, IA

Cecilia Hinsley (Biology 2020) - Current Position: High School Science Teacher, Clinton, IA

Evangelina Gomez-Mancillas (Animal Ecology 2018-20) - Current Position: DVM student, Colorado State University, CO

Alison Basel (Genetics 2017-2020) - Current Position: PhD Candidate, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Donna Jordan (Animal Ecology 2018-2

Laura Tucker (Genetics 2018-19) - Current Position: Research Scientist, Integrated DNA Technologies, Coralville, IA

Toni Sleugh, PhD (Biology 2018-19) - Current Position: PhD Student at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, San Diego, CA

Colin Finnigan (Bioinformatics and Computational Biology 2016-18)

Max Mouldon (Animal Ecology 2016-18)

Kelsi Hagerty, MS (Genetics 2016-18) - Current Position: Genetic Counselor, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA

Merritt Polomsky, MS (Genetics 2015-17)

Josh Walker (Genetics 2016-17)

Elena Thornhill, PhD (Genetics 2016-17) - Current Position: Scientist, IMMORNA, Morrisville, NC

Taylor Didesch, MS (Animal Ecology 2016-17) - Current Position: Environmental Scientist, Burns & McDonnell, Phoenix AZ

Kelsey Gerwig, DVM (Biology 2017) - Current Position: Veterinarian, Anamosa Veterinary Clicic, Anamosa, IA

Elizabeth Heldt (Biology, 2014-16)

Caitlyn Corwin (Biology 2013-16) - Current Position: Veterinary Technician, The Little Urban Vet Clinic, Whites Creek, TN

Rachel Clancy (Biology, 2015) - Current Position: Personnel, Air National Guard

Tyler Knierim, MS (Animal Ecology 2013-14) - Current Position: Associate Biologist at WEST, Inc, Harrisburg, PA

Mitchell Barazowski (URA 2012-14) - Current Position: Wildlife Biologist, Naples, FL

Samantha Carter, DVM (URA 2013-14) - Current Position: Equine Veterinarian, Peterson Smith Equine Hospital, Ocala, FL

Carolina Rodriguez (Genetics, 2013-14)

Madeline Topf (CBiRC 2013-14) - Current Position: PhD Candidate, Microbiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

Alexander Wendt (Genetics 2011-13) - Current Position: PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, AU

Aubrey (Brouillette) Frye, MS (Biology 2012-13) - Current Position: Lead Scientist, Water Management District, Palm Beach, FL

Rachel Potter (Biology 2011-12) - Current Position: Process Engineer at Integrated DNA Technologies, Iowa City, IA

Shelby Williams (Animal Ecology 2010-11) - Current Position: Director, Benton County Conservation, Ames, IA

Cory Baughman, MD (NSF REU 2011) - Current Position: Resident Doctor, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Jacob Ward (Animal Ecology 2010-11) - Current Position: Senior Laboratory Technician, Naturally Recycled Proteins, Ames, IA

Tina Ward (Animal Ecology 2010-11)

Emily Larkins (Biology 2010-11)

Maggie (Brandenburg) Nichols (Biology 2008-10) - Current Position: Senior Review Editor, Gear Lab

Jill Madden, PhD (Genetics 2009-10) - Current Position: Genetic Counselor, Boston Children Hospital, Boston, MA

Rafael Alviero (Biology 2009-10)

Rachel Flynn (Biology 2009-10) - Current Position: Field Representative, Crop Care Associates, Napa, CA

Erick Hernandez (Biology 2008-09) - Current Position: Herpetologist, Basuca Ectotherms, Rochester, MN

Matthew Morrill (NSF REU 2005-09)

Jeremy Chamberlain, PhD (Biology 2005-09) - Current Position: Associate Professor, South Arkansas University, Magnolia, AR

Nicole (Rutscher) Miller (Biology 2007-08) - Current Position: Account Manager at AGRILAND FS, Winterset, IA

Kristy Bellinger (NSF REU & ISU PWiSE 2007-09)

Abigail Lehman (Biology 2007-08)

Erica Helhmich (Biology 2006-07)

Ann Cannon (NSF REU & ISU PWiSE 2005-06)

Cristina Mendez (Microbiology 2005-06)

Tempy Sims (NSF REU 2005-06)

Christian Cox, PhD (NSF UMEB 2003-05) - Current Position: Associate Professor, Florida International University, Miami, FL

Former High School Interns

Whitney Manhart (Ames HS 2010-12)

Xiaoxi Yang, MD (Ames HS 2009-10) - Current Position: Psychiatric Hospitalist, Unity Point Health, Cedar Rapids, IA

Hana Yoon, DMD (Ames HS 2008) - Current Position: General Dental Practitioner, New York, NY

Michael Herriges, PhD (Ames HS 2005) - Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for Regenerative Med, Boston, MA

Jasmine Chen (Ames HS 2006)

Former High School Teacher Researchers

Kevin Schneider (Dowling High School 2016-17)

Amanda Borchers (Perry High School 2011)

Laura McGhee (Colfax-Mingo High School 2011-12)

Carolyn Carter (Clinton High School 2010)

Courtney Hewitt (Newton High School 2008-09)

Join Our Team!

The Bronikowski Lab is currently accepting MS and PhD graduate students. Contac Anne with questions:

abroniko@msu.edu