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Lab Members

Lab members at the 2018 Phi Sigma spring banquet
Lab members at the 2018 Phi Sigma spring banquet. Pictured left to right: Amanda Klingler, Rebekka Darner, Eric Walsh, Kara Baldwin, Rachel Sparks.

Current Lab Members

Eben Korkor

Eben in ISU’s Bone Student Center

Eben joined the RESIST lab in 2021 and is in the School of Biological Sciences master’s degree program. Eben is conducting research in the context of BSC 370: Topics in Molecular & Cellular Biology, taught by Dr. Jan Dahl, which seeks to use course-based undergraduate research to foster scientific communication skills, interest in pursuing research careers, and enhanced understanding of how scientific knowledge is generated through research. Eben is on track to graduate in 2024.

Recent Graduates

Ashley in Colorado with her dog, Harley

Dr. Ashley Waring-Sparks, co-advised with Dr. Nate Mortimer, graduated in December 2023. Ashley’s dissertation investigated genomic evolution between parasitoid wasp venom and Drosophila melanogaster. Ashley is now works at ISU’s Center for Mathematics, Science, & Technology as the program coordinator for the Science IS-U Scholars program.

Kendy presenting at the 2022 University Research Symposium

Kendy Reyes-Cruz graduated in 2023 with her bachelor’s degree in biology.

Alyssa presenting at the 2022 University Research Symposium

Alyssa Hayes, BS, graduated in spring of 2022 with her bachelor’s degree in biology. She is now working in wildlife rehabilitation.

Tae’lor Allen, BS, graduated in spring of 2022 with her bachelor’s degree in biology. She is currently applying to medical school.

Tae’lor presents at the University Research Symposium in 2022

Dr. Rachel Waring-Sparks defended her thesis in July of 2021 and now works at ISU’s Center for Civic Engagement.

Dr. Rachel Sparks was hooded by Bekky in December, 2021.

Ashley Dumas, BS, graduated in the spring of 2021 with her bachelor’s degree in biology and is pursuing her master’s degree in public health at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Tanya Josek, PhD, wrapped up her post-doctoral researcher position in the summer of 2021 and now works at the Beckman Institute as a microscopist.

Marissa Hettinger, BS, graduated in spring 2020 and started a PhD program in Family Studies and Human Development at University of Arizona in fall 2021.

Kara Baldwin, PhD, graduated in December of 2020 and is now the Education & Community Engagement Coordinator at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Kara Baldwin, pictured with Bekky and Rachel, graduated with her Ph.D. from the RESIST lab in December, 2020.

Iresha Jayasinghe, MS, graduated in spring of 2020 and the following fall began the doctoral program in the School of the Environment and Natural Resources at the Ohio State University.

Amanda Klingler, BS, graduated in spring of 2020 and is now pursuing a PhD at the University of Denver.

Eric Walsh, MS, graduated in the summer of 2020 and is now an Anatomy & Physiology instructor at the University of Wisconsin.

Past Lab Members

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