Warner Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology
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Lab Members

   
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Dan Warner

Associate Professor
Curator of Amphibians & Reptiles, Auburn University


Ph.D., The University of Sydney, 2007
M.S., Virginia Tech, 2001
B.S., Iowa State University, 1998


Email: dan.warner@auburn.edu
Phone: 334-844-4999
Office: 304 Rouse Life Sciences Building

Mailing address:
Department of Biological Sciences
Auburn University
101 Rouse Life Sciences Building
Auburn, AL 36849, USA



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Anthony Gilbert
Postdoc

Hi! I'm Anthony. I'm originally from California, where I graduated in 2013 with a BA in Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley. My research interests focus on connecting environmental variation with evolutionary processes, and explaining the ecological patterns that result from this interaction. I'm particularly keen on describing how temperature impacts phenotypic variation across different biological scales, integrating behavior, ecology, physiology, and development. I graduated with my Ph.D. from Ohio University in 2020- advised by Donald Miles- where I described how climatic variation impacts the strength of natural selection and phenotypic plasticity in tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus). Afterwards, I worked as a postdoc at the University of Virginia- advised by Butch Brodie III- where I worked on coevolution between toxic newts (Taricha granulosa) and their garter snake predators (Thamnophis sirtalis), describing how climatic and community variation impact coevolutionary interactions between predators and prey. Access to science education and the quality of science education is really important to me, and I hope to have my own lab some day where I can teach biological concepts in unique ways while working with students interested in a variety of evolutionary or ecological questions. If I'm not in the field or the lab, you'll find me in my kitchen making pizza, ice cream, or some other wacky treat.


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Kaitlyn Murphy
PhD Candidate

In May 2018, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Iowa State University. My undergraduate work examined the influence of thermal conditions on survival and timing of emergence in hatchling Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta). As a PhD student, I study how environmental variation can influence the microbiome of reptiles and have used American alligators (Alligator mississipiensis) and the brown anole (Anolis sagrei) to answer my research questions. I'm particularly interested in the maternal transfer of microbiota (e.g., to the eggshell) and how that might affect hatchling phenotypes. Check out my website to learn more about my research.


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Molly Folkerts Caldwell
​PhD Student
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I received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Auburn University in 2012. In 2015, I completed a Master’s in Field and Organismal Biology from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. I conducted my thesis research on variation in Green Heron nesting success in coastal marshes of southwest Louisiana. After finishing my Master's, I worked for over 3 years in coastal bird monitoring and conservation with Audubon Mississippi Coastal Bird Stewardship Program (National Audubon Society), protecting beach-nesting bird species such as the Least Tern and Black Skimmer.  Although I've spent the last several years working with birds, I've always loved herps and am excited to study yellow-bellied sliders and temperature dependent sex determination in the Warner Lab. My general interests are in conservation, reproductive biology, ecology, and evolution. My ultimate goal is to pursue a career in which I can work to conserve imperiled species of the southeastern US.


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Morgan Muell
​PhD Student

​My research interests focus on the evolution of phenotypic traits, particularly those with potential applications to global change biology. I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from Iowa State University in 2018, where I studied how proximate environmental cues promote nesting emergence in painted turtles while working in Dr. Fredric Janzen’s lab. Subsequently, I earned my Masters degree in Zoology in 2020 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where I worked with Dr. Jason L. Brown on phylogenomics and color pattern evolution of Ranitomeya poison frogs. In the Warner Lab, with co-advisement from Dr. Jamie Oaks, I am taking a comparative approach to studying the evolution of developmental plasticity among multiple lineages of Anolis lizards, with emphasis on the mainland species of Costa Rica. My goal is to examine how developmental plasticity is tied to both environment and common ancestry, in order to further our understanding of how organisms may respond to changing climates. Visit my website to get to know my research and me!


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Chris Norris
PhD Student

I am originally from the panhandle of Florida but have lived all over the world. After retiring from the military, I received a BS in General Biology from Auburn University at Montgomery 2020. My research focuses on adaptive developmental plasticity. I am interested in how the conditions that embryos experience affect their fitness in different environments. Additionally, I am interested in how embryonic conditions might affect reproduction after embryos reach adulthood. In 2022, I was awarded the NSF graduate research fellowship to investigate how ecologically relevant embryonic stress can affect gonad development and sperm competition in brown anoles.


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Sydney Wayne

MS Student

I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Colorado State University in the Fall of 2021. During my undergraduate studies, I worked for the National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation in their plant division where I maintained germination assays and prepared samples for cryopreservation. The focus of this lab was to conserve the genetic resources of crops and other plants important to U.S. agriculture and biodiversity. Despite my love for plants, my own research interests have always been focused on reptiles. My love for all things reptiles developed while growing up in Florida surrounded by lizards, snakes, and gators. For my undergraduate honors thesis, I wrote a research proposal focused on temperature induced plasticity in the egg laying phenology of brown anoles (Anolis sagrei). As a graduate student, I am interested in testing fundamental questions surrounding phenotypic plasticity and the role it can have on the fitness of reptiles. My general interests are focused on evolution, ecology, and plasticity.​


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  Gabrielle Dunham
  MS student volunteer

  I received a Bachelor of Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn University in 2021. I am currently working on my Master of Natural Resources at Auburn University. I have always been fascinated with herps since I was a child. One day I hope to focus on conservation work with herps. In the lab, I assist with lizard and egg care.
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Sarah Knutson
Undergraduate Student

I am an undergraduate student majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Management here at Auburn University. I joined Warner Lab to diversify my knowledge base and expand my research experience. In the lab, I assist in lizard husbandry and the collection of hatchling measurements and phenotype data. After graduation, I plan to continue expanding my knowledge and skills within the field of wildlife ecology.


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  Olivia Brown
  Undergraduate Student

  I am an undergraduate from Dallas, TX studying Wildlife Ecology and Management. I took a
  herpetology course at Auburn, and it sparked my interest in reptiles and amphibians. In the Warner
  Lab, I assist with field work on turtles, as well as helping with lizard care in the lab. After graduation, I
  plan to attend graduate school and continue to expand my knowledge of wildlife. War Eagle!
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Laura Holt
Undergraduate Student

I am an undergraduate student majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior at Auburn University. I joined the Warner Lab to learn more about herpetology and gain valuable research and animal experience. In the lab I help with animal care and data collection. After graduation, I hope to continue research on animals in their environments to better protect them.



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Lincoln Butts
Undergraduate Student

 My name is Lincoln Butts. I am an Undergraduate student at Auburn University studying Wildlife Ecology and Management. I am very interested in wildlife conservation and hope to work in a field where I can answer questions and solve problems regarding populations of wild animals. Most of my work in Warner lab is running phenotypic trials on brown anole hatchlings that will answer questions on adaptive developmental plasticity. I also help care for the lizards while they are in the lab. I hope working in the lab will give me better biological insights to answer questions about wildlife populations.


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Alexia Alford
Undergraduate Student

I am an undergraduate student from Williamsburg, Virginia and I'm majoring in Wildlife Science/ Pre-vet. I joined Dr. Warner's lab because of my interest in reptiles as well as my eagerness to learn about research. In the lab, I assist with animal care and data collection. I have also had the opportunity to conduct behavioral research through Dr. Warner's lab. After graduation, I plan to pursue veterinary school.



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John Rodgers
Undergraduate Student

 


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Lola Berger
Undergraduate Student

 


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Kendall Jackson
Undergraduate Student

 


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Ansley Strength
Undergraduate Student

 


Former lab members
Postdocs
Dr. Renata Brandt (2016-2017), currently working as Marketing Science Communicator, Science North, Sudbury, ON, Canada
Dr. Tim Mitchell (2015-2017), currently a Researcher at the University of Minnesota, Snell-Rood Lab
Dr. Amelie Fargevieille (2018-2020)
Dr. 
Joshua Hall (2020-2021), currently an Assistant Professor at Tennessee Tech University

Graduate students
Jenna Pruett (2016-2021), currently a postdoc at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Kamath lab
Joshua Hall (2015-2020), currently an Assistant Professor at Tennessee Tech University
Joseph Jenkins (2017-2019), currently a researcher for the Alabama Natural Heritage Program
​Sarin Tiatragul (2017-2018), currently a PhD candidate at the Australian National University, Keogh Lab
Ariel Steele (2015-2017), currently a PhD student in Administration of Higher Education at Auburn University
Phil Pearson (2014-2016), currently a PhD candidate at the University of Canberra's Institute for Applied Ecology, Georges Lab
David Delaney (2013-2015), currently a Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Colorado, Boulder, McAdams Lab
​Corey Cates​ (2013-2015), currently Biology Lab Coordinator, Birmingham Southern College

Summer REU students
Alexia Alford, Auburn University (2022, NSF REU program)
Maya Johnson, Tennessee Tech University (2021, CASE summer REU program)
Jorge Lopez-Perez, Eckerd College (2019, warm-water aquatic ecology summer REU program)
Andrew DeSana, Seton Hill University (2018, warm-water aquatic ecology summer REU program)
Louis McCoy, Gonzaga University (2016, Howard Hughes Summer Research Experience)
Sarin Tiatragul, Gonzaga University (2015, Howard Hughes Summer Research Experience)

Undergraduate students
Kendall Preston (2021-2022)
Katelyn Smith (2021-2022)
Kaitlin Watson (2021-2022)
Connor Kelly (2019-2022)
Allison Dees (2019-2021)
Olivia Schweikart (2019-2021)
Jocelyn Miracle (2019-2021)
Cindy Scruggs (2019-2020)
Taylor Cook (2019)
Ryan Weesner (2017-2019)
​Mallory Turner (2018-2019)​

Alex Stevens (2018)
Chanel Reali (2017-2019)
​Kayla Wilson (2016-2018)
David Quinn (2017-2018)
Austin Hulbert (2016-2017)
Cassie Guiffre (2016)

Dani Douglas (2016-2017)
Robin Lloyd (2016-2017)
Stephen Mirkin (2016)
Audeline Kurniawan (2014-2015)
Dalton Williams (2015)
Andrew Buckelew (2012-2014)
Phil Pearson (2013)
Agam Dhawan (2012-2014)
Amanda Clark (2014-2015)
Dilani Patel (2014-2015)
Tiffany Colburn (2014-2015)
Brook Pruitt (2014-2015)
Matthew Denaburg (2013-2014)
Frank Wideman (2013-2014)
Ariana Ionas (2013-2014)
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