My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
My research focuses on STEM pedagogy, with particular attention to how a sense of belonging with academic departments, both in graduate programs and laboratory environments, shapes graduate students' academic success. I aim to understand the structural, interpersonal, and cultural factors that influence students' experiences and identify practices that foster more inclusive and supportive learning communities.
Expertise Areas: Since graduating with my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology in 1998, I have held post-doctoral appointments in several labs in several disciplines - at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy I worked on the molecular mechanisms regulating DNA replication and cell-cycle arrest; in the Division of Endocrinology at the CU Health Sciences Center, I worked on coactivators and corepressors of the progesterone receptor and their role in the regulation of breast cancer. I held a National Research Council postdoctoral research position working with the USGS on the seasonal effects of endocrine disrupters and most recently worked at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics looking at the association between behavioral disorders and genes for several neurotransmitter-associated proteins. Although I am still very interest https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/node/169/edit?content_lock... in the interaction between environmental endocrine disrupters and seasonal reproduction and the genetic and endocrine basis of behavior, since 2002 most of my professional time has been devoted to teaching. I am fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie behavior and physiology and thoroughly enjoy sharing that interest with students in anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology.
Expertise Areas: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neurodegenerative Disease Pathways, Developmental Biology Education & Degrees • Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (2015) • B.Tech., Biotechnology, Haldia Institute of Technology (2008) Bio I joined the Department of Integrative Biology at CU Denver in Fall 2025 as a Lecturer. My current position is of an Instructor and Lab coordinator. My doctoral research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skeletal morphogenesis...
My research interests center on how species are responding to changing climates, with a focus on the shifting elevational ranges of Colorado dragonflies. https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
Expertise Areas: Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology Education & Degrees DDS - University of Missouri in Kansas City MBA - Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BA - Creighton University, Omaha, NE Bio BBB Selected Publications PPP Courses Taught Human Anatomy and Mechanisms of Pathology
Expertise Areas: Dr. Bruederle's research interests include the evolution of species rich genera such as Carex (Cyperaceae), which comprises approximately 2000 species worldwide. He is interested specifically in the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate speciation in this large genus. Additional interests include: plant systematics at and below the level of genus, population genetics and endemism, conservation genetics, and biogeography. He is also interested in the implementation, institutionalization, and assessment of undergraduate research.
Interests: Julie is a doctoral research fellow with the National Science Foundation. Her research interests are interdisciplinary in the fields of ecology literacy, environmental education, and ethnographic research. Through studying the intersections of ecological systems, environmental education, and socio-historical equity, she creates culturally inclusive pedagogy and equitable evaluation practices. She has extensive background experience in designing, managing, and evaluating formal and informal K-12 science education programs, as well as conducting...
Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding how plant communities respond to and interact with disturbance in forested ecosystems and how changing plant communities influence biogeochemistry, biogeography, and energy balances. Currently, I am pursuing these interests in the temperate coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Please visit my professional website for more information, https://www.trevoracarter.com/
Interest: I'm interested in urban raptor ecology and the urban wildlife information network. Please visit my professional website for more information. https://www.alyssadavidge.com/
Interests: Demographics, Species Distribution Modeling, Population Genetics, Plant Conservation. The study of applied plant conservation. I conduct field research on plant population dynamics and model species distributions, population level genetic structure, and response to climate change.
My research interest is in developing computational methods to improve the quality of NMR spectra, which helps us better understand protein structure and how proteins interact with other molecules.
Expertise Areas: First year Experience/Success of STEM students and Health Professions Advising Education & Degrees PhD., Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1996 M.A., Neurophysiology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1987 B.A., Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, 1985 Bio Dr. Ferguson has been on the faculty at the University of Colorado Denver since 1985 and teaches in the Dept. of Integrative Biology. He has been nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and...
Interests: include restoration ecology, seed-based conservation, and plant ecology. Her PhD dissertation is on the ‘Implications of Local Adaptation on Seed Sourcing for North American Prairie Restoration Under Climate Change’. She conducts field, greenhouse, and genetic research on prairie restoration at Denver Botanic Gardens York St. and Chatfield Farms.
Ph.D. • 2018 • Cushing Lab, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: Desert zombies, mata vendados, spawns of satan, and madre de alacranes are all colloquial names for camel spiders. Camel spiders, in the arachnid order Solifugae, are an interesting and perplexing group of arachnids distributed on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Erika Garcia is a doctoral student based at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science working with Dr. Paula Cushing on camel spiders within the family Eremobatidae...
Ph.D. • 2026 • Wunder Lab, co-advised by Michelle DePrenger-Levin
Department of Integrative Biology
My research interests include rare plant ecology and conservation. I am focused on the Rocky Mountain monkeyflower, demography, persistence, and community ecology at different scales.
M.S. Program • Ackerfield, Bruederle and Ragland Lab
Department of Integrative Biology
Interest: Tiffany is a first-year master’s student and botanist advised by Dr. Jennifer Ackerfield, Dr. Leo Bruederle, and Dr. Greg Ragland. She is interested in the processes of evolution and speciation at a molecular level. Tiffany’s research involves examining the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eutrema , specifically through the lens of chromosome duplication. She is exploring how this phenomenon contributes to within-genus diversification and distribution. Tiffany will be applying...
Research Interests: I’m a landscape and spatial ecologist, in my 4th-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. I work in the intersection of paleoecology, landscape ecology, and disturbance ecology, using field, lab, and modeling tools to study how ecosystems change over space and time.
Connor's research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetic RNA regulation, and the molecular pathways that maintain pluripotency. His work investigates whether a specific chemical modification to RNA, known as m6A methylation, helps explain how a common small-molecule treatment (the 2i-cocktail) keeps mouse embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state.
Ph.D. • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: My research adapts genomics tools to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of animal diversity. I focus on the regulatory control of gene expression during vertebrate development. My approach integrates functional and comparative genomics, developmental biology, and phylogenetics. My goal is to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of vertebrate morphology.
Interests: My research interests are in genetics, epigenetics, and brain development. I am interested in understanding how cells control when and how genes are used, and how these processes can shape the development and function of the brain. My current research focuses on chemical changes to RNA that can influence how genetic information is used by cells. More broadly, I am interested in how differences in gene regulation contribute to...
M.S. Program • 2024 • Ackerfield Lab • Denver Botanic Gardens
Department of Integrative Biology
Ash Kerber is a first year Master’s student exploring the evolutionary history of rare alpine plants, specifically in the genus Polemonium, using floral scent and genetics. She plans to demonstrate how diverse alpine angiosperm adaptions can be, especially those that humans cannot see. Denver Botanic Gardens Graduate Students
Interests: Abby's research interests include restoration ecology, applied land management, and species conservation under environmental change. Her current research uses whitebark pine to investigate whether direct seeding is a viable restoration method for high-elevation forests, testing how seed placement and planting density affect survival against rodents, germination, and seedling establishment.
Expertise Areas: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, synaptic development, hippocampal biology, general genetics, neuropsychology Education and Degrees Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School B.S. in Biology from the University of North Dakota Bio My journey into neurobiology began in the gross anatomy cadaver lab at the University of North Dakota. This led me to start pursuing molecular neurobiology, with a specific interest in the cellular...
Expertise Areas: Science Education, Ecology Education & Degrees Ph.D., Integrative and Systems Biology, University of Colorado Denver M.S., Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville B.S., Biology, Saint Louis University Bio I am a biology education researcher who primarily focuses on multicultural science education. I study student science identities and how history, family, and community shape the ways students perceive life experiences and their place in science. Additional biology education interests...
My work with the Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on fungal systematics, which is the overarching study of the evolutionary history of fungi. Specifically, my work revolves around the genus of fungi Laccaria, commonly known as the "Deceivers." These colorful fungi are fascinating due to the physiological similarities between many species, particularly in the Rocky Mountain region. By using DNA sequencing in conjunction with morphological analysis, I intend to describe the...
Expertise: Biomolecular NMR, Protein Structure and Function, Integrative Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, AI/ML, Automated NMR Analysis, Integrated Software, Big Data
Areas of Expertise: My content area of expertise and teaching focus are in immunology (and introduction to biology outside of UC, Denver). My interests in science education focus on creating more engaging, active learning approaches that increase equity and inclusion in learning and in the learning community. Currently, I am evaluating the contributions of Flip video assignments through qualitative and quantitative measures. Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free, simple video...
Bio Kaia is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is interdisciplinary by nature, with expertise in both computational and experimental biology. Kaia has a long-standing goal of making science and academia more inclusive environments, and as such aims for her lab to be a welcoming and supportive place to train the next generation of scientists. mattioli-lab.org Education & Degrees...
My research in behavioral neuroscience examines sex differences in stress resistance factors like exercise. Currently, I am investigating the neural circuits that mediate exercise-induced stress resistance in male and female rodents.
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Miller lab develops and uses bioinformatic and genome-enabled approaches to study microbial communities. With the advent of new sequencing technologies, one can sequence billions or trillions of base pairs of DNA for relatively little money. One of the most powerful applications of this new economy is the direct sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from the environment. The combination of deep sequencing and bioinformatics reveals that even “simple” natural microbial communities are in fact quite complex. The Miller lab is interested in understanding this complexity at a systems level for microbial communities relevant to the environment, bioenergy production, and human health and disease.
I'm interested in understanding how species respond to climate change across biological scales, from interspecific interactions to genetic and physiological changes. At CU Denver I’m excited to explore how ecological context affects the adaptive value of specific traits and behaviors. Dr. Moore's lab: https://moore-evo-eco.weebly.com/
PhD • Assistant Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Evolutionary ecology, eco-physiology, global change, comparative methods, citizen science Education & Degrees PhD – Case Western Reserve University 2019 MS – Murray State University 2014 BS – Gonzaga University 2011 Bio Dr. Moore studies physiological and developmental limits on evolution. His research with dragonflies and amphibians details why organisms have been able to adapt to some environments but not others. This work also helps us predict the ways...
Interest: My research investigates how wildfire impacts animal mating and reproduction. I integrate animal behavior, biogeography, evolutionary ecology, and quantitative ecology to understand animal responses to wildfire-driven habitat change. Sarah Nalley web site https://sarahnalley.weebly.com/
Ph.D. • Department Chair • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The main interests in our lab revolve around understanding the functions of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk-3) isoforms. We are utilizing a systems biology approach to understanding Gsk-3 function in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. We have recently identified a role for Gsk-3 in regulating the methylation of mRNA. This modification, referred to as m6A, affects many aspects of RNA biology, including regulating the stability of mRNA and the translational efficiency. We are currently investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects, and their implications on the biology of stem cells.
Interests: My broad research interests include animal population dynamics and behavioral ecology. Currently, my research focuses on migratory ecology and demography of an inland breeding shorebird of conservation interest, the Mountain Plover. I am interested in how migration strategies vary between individuals across the landscape and how this variation is affected by environment and phenotype. Additionally, how does this variation translate to population level effects on seasonal distribution and population...
M.S. Program • 2026 • Andrew Wilson Lab (Chris Miller is co-advisor at CU Denver)
Department of Integrative Biology
My research is focused on fungal seed endophytes in alpine ecosystems, and how those fungal endophytes are impacting seed germination. Denver Botanic Gardens
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: The Ragland Lab is interested in the process of local adaptation to changing environments, and the mechanisms underlying animal hibernation. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and targets of natural selection, integrating studies from genomes, to physiology, to whole organism performance. Please refer to the lab website for more information: https://seasonaladaptation.org
Ed.D. • Senior Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Integrative Biology
Education & Degrees University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity 2014 Walden University, Masters in Public Health, 2008 University of Colorado Denver, Masters of Arts, Biology 2003 University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental, Populational, Organismal Biology 1995 Courses Taught BIOL 1550&1560: Basic Biology for non-biology majors BIOL 1136: Human Biology BIOL 1111: Biology First Year Seminar BIOL 2010: General Biology II
Ph.D. • Associate Professor • Director of ESIL Certificate • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: Primary areas of study include environmental microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; chemical detoxification; remediation; see Roanemicrobiology.weebly.com for more information. Other areas of interest include qualitative evaluation; collective impact; identity and representation within STEM; and cross-cultural communication.
Interests: My interests include topics in microbiology and microbial ecology. I'm currently researching the degradation of 1,4-dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, by microorganisms at a Colorado landfill. My undergraduate research was focused on microbial fuel cells, a technology to harvest electricity from microorganisms.
Ph.D. • 2024 • Swallow Lab • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Department of Integrative Biology
For my research, I am interested in utilizing genomics as a toolkit for wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring. To do this, I am mainly working with the Denver Mountain Parks bison herds, where I am doing whole-genome sequencing on both current members of both herds as well as historical specimens from the first bison that were brought back to Colorado after the near-extinction of bison in the mid-1800s. Additionally, I...
Interests: My doctoral work is on limber pine at treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, determining its treeline distribution, variables associated with its occurrence there, and the viability of limber pine seeds produced across high elevations. More broadly, my research interests include remote sensing and GIS applications to landscape ecology and biogeography, and restoration ecology under changing climate.
Audrey Spencer is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate researching the systematics and biogeography of Physocarpus (ninebark), helping elucidate the origins of the flora of the Southern Rockies. She uses genomic tools to tell the biogeographic story of plants with disjunct distributions.
Ph.D. • 2022 • Dr. John Fisk, CU Denver Department of Chemistry
Department of Integrative Biology
Research Interests: I am interested in work to expand the genetic code via incorporation of noncanonical amino acids as well as working on developing a computational model of phage infection in filamentous bacteria for the purposes of modeling phage display and delving deeper into how to reverse bacterial "curing" during a phage infection. To learn more about our research, please visit our lab's website.
Expertise Areas: The evolution, ecology, and population biology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers; and, the conservation and restoration of five-needle white pines in western North America.
Research Interests: Broadly I am interested in all things related to insects and have a passion for pollinators and how they interact with their environment. My research questions use Drosophila melanogaster to answer questions about developmental plasticity and further our understanding of how insects respond to cold stress.
Interests: My research interest is in nanomedicine, that is, using nano-sized materials in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. I focus on the fabrication of chemiluminescent and fluorescent nanoparticles for use in early detection and image-guided surgery of cancer for clinical use. I also work on the development of therapeutic contact lenses coated with metal chelators for the treatment of corneal diseases.
My doctoral work focuses on patterns of survival rates in the Mountain Plover—what factors underlie patterns observed from tagged and color-marked individuals, and how those patterns differ between populations, life stages, and seasonal states across the annual cycle. I have a special interest in quantitative ecology with a budding specialization in population dynamics and movement ecology.
Areas of Expertise: I use molecular systematics to refine understanding of fungal diversity, and novel phylogenetic tools to test hypotheses regarding their evolution and ecology. I am currently expanding my research into population genetics.
Ph.D. • Professor • Director of Graduate Program • Biology Research Faculty
Department of Integrative Biology
Expertise Areas: I study animal population biology with a special interest in migratory systems. Migratory systems are useful models because conditions experienced at one place and time influence dynamics observed in distant locations; these are systems that link the biology and health of continents. My long-term goal is to understand factors regulating population demography and geographic range distributions, so that we can predict responses to disease epidemics and changes in climate, environmental health, and human land use. I combine fieldwork, lab work and modeling to study these systems and have developed novel statistical tools for determining dietary and geographic histories from chemical and molecular compositions of animal tissues.
I am broadly interested in plant ecology & conservation. My research focuses on using plant collections and ecological data to better predict conservation and management needs for plant communities in a changing climate.
