Who's in the lab?
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Alex Sutton, Postdoctoral Fellow
I am interested in understanding how environmental conditions influence population dynamics and how a species’ life history may augment its susceptibility to climate change. My PhD thesis focused on understanding the climatic and demographic drivers of population growth of Canada jays in Algonquin Provincial Park, ON. I look forward to broadening my research to investigate how climate, patterns of land use, and species interactions influence plant population dynamics. contact cv |
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Sarah Herzog, Graduate Student
My research is focused on understanding native plant communities and populations and how to best conserve them. I received my undergraduate degree in Ecology and Conservation Biology from the University of Idaho and my masters at South Dakota State University. My work has ranged from examining the morphological variation of Castilleja pilosa (Orobanchaceae) species complex, utility of DNA barcodes for the identification northern tallgrass prairie plant species, and understanding the relationships between phylogenetic diversity and other biodiversity measurements. My work in the Louthan Lab will focus on rare plant population dynamics. contact |
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Shannon Lynch, Graduate Student
I am interested in species interactions, especially between plants and arthropods. In May 2020, I received my MS in biology from Rutgers University. During my time at Rutgers, I investigated the effects of urbanization using a food for defense ant-plant mutualism between tree cholla cacti and their ant defenders. In the summer of 2018, I conducted a survey along an urbanization gradient beginning in Albuquerque, NM and ending in the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. The following summer, I assessed how nectar and urbanization levels influenced ant aggression by simulating encounters with proxy prey (D. melanogaster larvae) on tree cholla across urban open spaces and desert wildlands. In the Louthan Lab, I hope to work at Konza Prairie Biological Station with similar species interactions while also utilizing some of the long-term data that have been collected there. contact |
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Aleah Querns, Graduate Student
I received my undergraduate degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from North Carolina State University in 2017. I later interned for the Bureau of Land Management--an experience that ignited my interest in studying the ecology of invasive plant species to provide insight toward land management practices. I returned to NC State in 2018 to complete a Master's degree in Plant Biology and focused on understanding the role of thermal tolerance in promoting the invasion of Mimulus guttatus in the United Kingdom. As a grad student in the Louthan Lab, I hope to examine the interplay between climate and species interactions in determining the extent of invasive plant species. contact |
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Thomas Leihsing, Undergraduate
I am a current undergrad double majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (Ecology and Wildlife Management) and Global Food Systems Leadership (Environmental Sustainability). My interests include exploring the effects of climate change and aiding in the formation of policies through the research of endangered ecosystems and the plants and animals within. I look forward to learning more about how specific climatic events and different land management practices influence grassland ecosystems. |
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Anna Swanson, Undergraduate
Currently I am working towards my degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with an emphasis in conservation. I am interested in habitat conservation and climate change, but still unsure where I am wanting to take my professional career after graduation. |
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Hannah McNulty, Undergraduate
I recently graduated from K-State in 2021 with degrees in Biology and Physical Science. Shortly after I joined the Demography Crew and discovered the wonderful world of Ecology. My many interests include ecosystem conservation and the biotic interactions within different types of ecosystems. |
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Natalie Miller, Undergraduate
I am currently a sophomore majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with an emphasis in Conservation Biology. In the future I hope to study how marine life is affected by human activities such as global climate change. |
Lab Alumni
Aaron Baumgardner, former lab manager. Currently lead research tech in the Bever/Shultz lab at Univ. Kansas.
Dylan Stockman, former undergraduate. Currently works at NEON.
Katharina Bremser, former undergraduate.
Dylan Stockman, former undergraduate. Currently works at NEON.
Katharina Bremser, former undergraduate.