Meet the Team
Bronikowski Lab Group Summer 2024 (with a few Janzen lab guests)
Front row: Valeria, Paul, Alex, (Claudia), (Isabelle)
Back row: (Fred), Olumide, Samantha, Anne, (Morgan), Kyra, Jamie
Anne Bronikowski, Principal Investigator
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.
Jamie Marks, Affiliate Researcher
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 was a post-doc in the Bronikowski lab working on the NSF-funded Biological Integration Institute: IISAGE from 2023 - 2025 and remains an Affiliate Researcher with the lab. She studies sex-specific aging in reptiles and is interested in how mitochondrial function differs between and within sexes and across ages. She incorporated measurements of reactive oxygen species and other free radicals to complement these studies. She is currently a Clinical Trial Assistant, Cleveland Diagnostics, Cleveland, OH. Outside of science, she enjoys traveling, crafting with her friends, hanging out with her cats, and young son.
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Becca Stockwell, Graduate Student
Becca earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a minor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Delaware in 2022. Currently, she is an MS student in the Bronikowski Lab. Becca is studying population viability of the Eagle Lake garter snakes via cellular stress responses and environmental determinants of extinction. Before joining the Bronikowski Lab, she assisted with a field study on black-capped vireos in Texas (see photo) and with other work in wildlife and fisheries management. Her research interests include behavioral and evolutionary ecology, specifically within the context of changing weather patterns, and understanding the anthropogenic influences on habitats. In her free time, Becca enjoys birding, hiking, volunteering, and finding the best vegan restaurants in town!
Jack Covey, Graduate Student
Jack earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from North Central College in 2026. He is studying endocrine regulation of stress responses and life histories through IIS/mTOR and AVT signaling networks in the Eagle Lake garter snakes.
Alumni from Michigan State University
Former Postdoctoral Researchers
Samantha Bock, PhD (KBS 2024-2026) - Current Position: Assistant Professor, Biology, Oklahoma State University
Kaitlyn Holden, PhD (KBS 2025- 2026) - Current Position: Assistant Professor, St Cloud State University, Minnesota
Paul Decena, PhD (KBS 2023-2025) - Current Position: Freelance Bioinformatician
Jamie Marks, PhD (KBS 2023-2025) - Current Position: Clinical Trial Associate Director, Cleveland Diagnostics, OH
Former Lab Technicians
Kayla Mizell (2025-2026)
Alex Sills (2023-2024) - Current Position: Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine Candidate, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Former Undergraduate Students
William Rubach (IISAGE REU 2026) - Current Position: Undergraduate Student, Loyola of Chicago, IL
Kendra Guitar (IISAGE REU 2025) - Current Position: BS, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI
Valeria LaCroix (KBS REU 2024) - Current Position: BS, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
Olumide Adesioye (IISAGE REU 2024) - Current Position: BS, Brown University, Providence, RI
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: 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: Professor, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Kylie Robert, PhD (EEOB 2005-07) - Current Position: Associate Professor, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, AU
Adele Reid, PhD (EEOB 2003-05) - Current Position: Water and Wildlife Ecology Group, University of Western Sydney, NSW, 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)