Lab Members

MARTIN TURCOTTE - (he/him) - ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Dept. of Biological Sciences, 203 Clapp Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260-3929

turcotte@pitt.edu

I am fascinated by evolutionary change. The extent and complexity of adaptions as well as the speed at which evolution can occur is truly remarkable. My research experimentally test how such evolution is driven by and is a driver of ecological dynamics and species interactions.

My scientific career began at McGill studying adaptation in green algae and on stickleback gene flow in British Columbia. I then joined David Reznick and Daniel Hare at the University of California Riverside for my Ph.D. There using experimental evolution in the field, I showed that rapid aphid evolution significantly alters concurrent population dynamics. In 2011, I began a postdoc with Marc Johnson at the University of Toronto at Mississauga working on plant-herbivore interactions and plant domestication. In 2014, I joined Jonathan Levine’s lab as an independent ACE postdoc at ETH in Zurich Switzerland working on the impacts of phenotypic plasticity and species coexistence. There I began working on Duckweed as a model system for Evolutionary Community Ecology. In 2017 I joined Pitt as an Assistant Professor where I intend to share my love of evolutionary-ecology with the current and next generations.

Postdoctoral Researchers

Dr. Eric Yee (he/him)

I am really interested in how abiotic stressors in cities shape plant trait adaptation and evolution on both local and continental levels. I received my PhD in Earth & Planetary Sciences from Johns Hopkins University in Dec. 2023 where I worked on local heavy metal hyperaccumulation on urban lawn weeds (Plantago spp.), and morphological, physiological, and phenological adaptation to the urban heat island on cosmopolitan lawn weed species.

EGY11@pitt.edu Google Scholar

research Technician

Elizabeth Lawrence

Elizabeth is helping with our Duckweed Polyploidy research program

Graduate Students

Taylor in black, befuddled by an astute question from a young scientist.

Email: taz31@pitt.edu

Twitter: @taylorzallek

Taylor Zallek (he/him)

I am interested in understanding how rapid changes in evolutionary and ecological contexts shape novel communities. I completed my B.A. in Biology at St. John’s University and examined the potentially synergistic relationship between invasive shrubs and invasive earthworms in deciduous forests of central Minnesota. From there I assisted on a number of projects in the Florida Keys assessing the impact invasive red lionfish have on native reef fish communities. I completed my M.S. at Michigan Tech where I researched patterns of hybridization, genetic diversity, and intraspecific performance among populations of the invasive aquatic plant Eurasian watermilfoil before joining the Turcotte lab in August 2018!

Lacey Rzodkiewicz (she/her)

Growing up on the shores of Lake Erie, I took an early interest in aquatic ecology. This interest developed at Allegheny College where I earned my B.S. with a double major in biology and French after completing a study on the allopathic effects of anatoxin-a on phytoplankton as well as literature review algal toxins influence in France. After my time at Allegheny, I completed my M.S. at Central Michigan University studying ecotoxicology in a bivalve system with a focus on contaminant impact on reproduction. I am primarily interested in how local adaptation and selection pressure can influence anthropogenic and natural stressors’ impacts on the organismal through ecosystem levels of biological organization. Given the ever increasing biotic and abiotic stresses detected in aquatic systems, the interactions between stressors and adaptation are more important than ever to ensure appropriate resource allocation.

Email: LDR27@pitt.edu

Hannah Assour (she/her)

Hannah is a 3rd year graduate student interested in invasion and urbanization. She is co-advised with Dr. Tia-Lynn Ashman. For my thesis work, I am broadly interested in exploring the ecological and evolutionary consequences of plant polyploidy, particularly within the context of anthropogenic change. I completed my B.S. in Biology with Teaching at the Temple University. During my undergraduate career, I was fortunate enough to complete research within the fields of population/community ecology, invasion biology, and climate change biology, primarily using plant and insect study systems. Further, I am passionate about combining my work with education and conservation.

Email: HRA19@pitt.edu

Trapper Hobble (he/him)

From a young age, I have always had a fascination in the diverse organisms that inhabit our planet. This curiosity led me to Dickinson College where I received my B.S. in Biology and completed a study exploring the implications of domestication on wild yeast evolution. I am predominantly interested in the ability of organisms to evolve and adapt to changing ecological stimuli and am eager to investigate such questions further utilizing duckweed and species coexistence. With the increasing threat of biodiversity loss, our ability to understand an organism’s capability to respond to a changing environment is critical in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Email: TRH66@pitt.edu

Undergraduate Researchers

Featured

Emma Paci

I am a sophomore at Pitt majoring in biology. I have always loved the environment and hope to persue a career in ecology or conservation. In my free time, I like to hike, bike, and kayak, and in the winter I work as a ski instructor. I am excited to learn more about aquatic ecology in this lab!

Dominic Aiello

I am a sophomore at Pitt majoring in Ecology & Evolution, with a minor in Chemistry, and a certificate in GIS. I started working with the Turcotte Lab at the Pymatuning Lab of Ecology through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program the summer before my sophomore year. My project investigated the effects of density on eco-evolutionary dynamics. In my free time, I enjoy taking walks in the woods, kayaking, reading, and playing board games. I am excited to continue learning about ecology and rapid evolution through duckweed in this lab!

Barrak Wali (He/Him)

Hey! My name is Barrak and I’m a junior at University of Pittsburgh. My major is biological sciences and I’m minoring in economics. When I’m not busy with my studies, I love to travel and expose myself to new cultures and ideas. This research project is a great portal for me to expand my knowledge on my passion and prepare me for my future goals.

Brandon Achey (He/Him)

I am a Junior at Pitt majoring in microbiology, while also getting minor in chemistry and history. My first lab I took was duckweed survivor and I really enjoyed studying aquatic plants. When not engaged in classes, I participate in community service through my community service organization. Some of my hobbies include going on hikes, playing pickleball, and playing volleyball.

Olivia Carson

Reagan Hamilton

I am a junior at Pitt majoring in biology with minors in environmental engineering and chemistry with a certificate in sustainability. I am an active member of the students for sustainability and ski and snowboard clubs on campus. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, running, and shopping. I also worked as a UTA for duckweed survivor and I am so excited to now be able to work with further and learn more about duckweed in the Turcotte lab.

Heather Doughtery

I am a senior Ecology and Evolution major with a minor in history. I’ve always been interested in the environment and look forward to learning more about duckweed. After college, I would like to pursue a career in conservation. In my free time, I love watching movies and baseball, as well as traveling to new places.

Micheal O'Brien

I’m a senior at Pitt who majors in biology and has a minor in chemistry. I’m both interested in and appreciative of how duckweed can be used to clean up the environment through absorption of toxic metals. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano, going to the gym, playing soccer, and spending time with my friends.

Tyler Snyder

I am a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in biology and minors in chemistry and economics. Outside of my academics, I enjoy golfing and playing basketball. I am excited to be a part of the Turcotte Lab and further my expertise in research and laboratory techniques.

Charley Wan

Hello! My name is Charley Wan and I am a Neuroscience Major with a minor in Sociology and Economics! My research interests lie in the checks within diverse ecological communities of duckweed that help them endure destructive circumstances!

HUXLEY

Lab mascot and collector of rubs and treats.

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Former Lab Members

PDFs, Graduate Students & Technicians

Dr. Cara Faillace (2021-24): USDA Forest Service, Research Aquatic Ecologist
Dr. Thomas Anneberg (2021-23): Former NSF PRFB, now USDA Data Analyst
Dr. Rachel Reeb (2022-23): Former Ph.D. student (mostly advised by Dr. Kuebbing), now postdoc at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Audrey Burr: (2021-23): Former technicians and NSF researcher, now doing Ph.D. with Joel Sachs at U.C. Riverside
Jae Kerstetter (2018-22): Former technician, now doing Ph.D. at Rutgers with Ceasar Rodriguez-Saona
Jiaqi Tan (2018-20): Former postdoc, now an Assistant Professor at Louisiana State U.
Sergio Ramos (2019-21)
Joshua Armstrong (2017-19): Former technician; now PhD at Virginia Commonwealth U. with James Vonesh

Undergraduates

Swapna Subramanian (2017-20): PhD at U. of Connecticut with Dan Bolnick
Lillian Leak (2017-20): PhD at Penn State
Ashley Morris (2017-18): now doing a PhD at Stony Brook University with Jessica Gurevitch
David Conover (2017-18): Former undergrad now in the U.S. Navy
Julie Everett (2018-19); Shourya Mukherjee (2018-19);
Erin Fullerton(2019-21); Olivia Alfe (2019-21); Pooja Jacob (2019-21); Jared Goga (2020); Anna Kelly (2020-21); Kevin Mulcahy (2021-22); Elijah Cordrey (2021-22); Stephanie Cano (2021-22); Liangge Lydia Yu (2021-22), Selin Aygen (2021-22); Olivia Glacken (2021-22); Rebecca Alvarez (2019-22); Kelvin Tieu (2021-22)
Tatiana Cannizzaro (2020-23); Alexander Sessock (2020-23); Emily Sweat (2022-23); Suze Ferguson (2022-23); Maddison Nguyen (2021-23); Dominique Kline (2022-23); Karuna Baral (2021-23); Lucia Miller (2022-23)
Ivan Guo (2022-24); Hannah Wetzel (2023-24); Gyan Kanhai (2022-24); Lillian Dun (2022-24);