People
Dr. Rosana Zenil-Ferguson
I joined the Department of Biology at the University of Kentucky as an assistant professor on August 2022. Previously, I was an assistant professor at the University of Hawaii manoa from 2019-2022.
I earned my PhD in evolutionary biology from University of Florida after completing a MSc in probability and statistics at CIMAT Mexico. My research aims to understand how often species traits evolve and how these traits change the speciation and extinction process across the tree of life. Using a combination of mathematics, statistics, and botany, I am currently studying the evolution of polyploidy and breeding systems, and whether these traits create opportunities for innovation and speciation in flowering plants.
Some publications about me:
News: I recently gave a TEDx talk in my hometown. It’s in Spanish and you can watch it here
Carrie Tribble, PhD
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology 2022-20225 (Plant Genome Track)
Email: cmt2(at)hawaii(dot)edu
Dr. Tribble is working on developing phenotype to genotype models for Andean flora (Bomarea) . She is also helping in the development of new models for chromosome number and genome size evolution in Carex. Click on her website. Carrie on the left of the picture with her beloved dog Kula.
McLean Worsham
Graduate Student (UH Manoa)
Email: mcleanw(at)hawaii(dot)edu
McLean started in 2020 in my lab. He is a fish person and totally in love with everything outdoors. For his dissertation, McLean is working on evolution of polyploidy in fishes. He is on the right of the picture with his gentle giant Cade.
Luke Campillo, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher (University of Kentucky)
Email: campillo(at)hawaii(dot)edu
Dr. Campillo is working on developing state-dependent diversification models for Andean flora. Luke’s primary research interest is modeling and understanding extinction of Hawaiian honeycreepers at both population and macro levels.
Luke carrying one of the best dogs in the Hawaiian Islands: Hapa.
Krystalyn Edwards-Calma
NSF REU Summer 2022- Undergraduate researcher
We were lucky to get Krystalyn in our lab as an undergraduate researcher funded through the DNA Discoveries of Biodiversity REU Grant. Krystalyn plans to go to medical school and incorporate Native Hawaiian botanical knowledge for healing. When she came to the lab, she wanted to learn more about Hawaiian flora, so she focused on learning about Doryopteris a genus of understudied Hawaiian ferns. Krystalyn learned about the herbarium, iNaturalist, GBIF and implemented a model to estimate the fundamental niche of two species that might be dissapearing due to urbanization. She has been funded to attend SACNAS National conference in 2023. Look for her poster!
Johnathan Kim
Undergraduate Researcher
Jonhathan joined the lab in 2019. He is determined to become a Doctor (and he already looks the part). Johnathan is learning Python and dataset management skills helping McLean with his data collection.
Garrett Cho
Undergraduate Researcher
Garrett joined the lab in 2020. He is specializing in everything STEM (double or triple major now). Garrett has also been learning Python and acquiring dataset management skills while helping McLean.
Join the lab!
I am looking for one or two PhD Student in the the Fall 2022. Consider applying to our Masters or PhD program. The biology graduate program has a a stipend of $28,520 with a possibility of extra $4,500 in the summer (summer for US citizens, for international students talk to me about potential sources of extra funding). Lexington has a cost of living for a single individual around $31K so it is possible to live comfortably with a TAship. In addition, our students DO NOT pay school fees.
Also consider the possibility of writing a NSF GFRP. Some great resources here and here. Contact me and we can discuss ideas for research. I have experience guiding students through writing the proposal, but it really helps doing it with enough time so don’t hesitate about contacting me early.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
As a Latina, I have faced many challenges to become a scientist. Prejudices that range from “A woman can’t do math” to “Mexicans are lazy” have always encouraged me to work harder and to become involved in social programs that promote scientific and cultural diversity. These prejudices have taught me to work against socioeconomic, cultural, and gender biases that undermine the learning process of underrepresented students in STEM. It is not only supporting the activities from women and underrepresented minorities that we can achieve diversity. In my everyday work, I strive for educating students and colleagues of any background about implicit biases, stereotype threat, and impostor syndrome. I am convinced that by openly addressing diversity issues with our students and our colleagues we can promote inclusion beyond our labs while settling a precedent for other universities. My commitment to my students, collaborators, and colleagues is to continue creating a respectful and inclusive research environment where scientific creativity and cultural diversity is acknowledged and heard. Consider joining SACNAS and support me in this mission.