principal investigator
Education
University of Texas-Austin, Microbial Ecology, Research Associate 2009-2013
University of Regensburg (Germany), Molecular Ecology, Postdoc, 2007-2009
Florida State University, Organismal Biology, Ph.D. 2006
University of Missouri-St. Louis, Tropical Biology M.S. 1999
University of Missouri-St. Louis, Biology B.S. 1994
University of Missouri-St. Louis German B.A. 1994
Professional Experience
Current and Past Major Funding
2016-2021 National Science Foundation, Integrative Organismal Systems, Symbiosis Defense and Self-Recognition Program. CAREER: Mechanisms of specificity and homeostasis in an obligate symbiosis (IOS-1552822) ($651,399) PI
2014 - 2018 National Science Foundation, Division of Environmental Biology, Evolutionary Ecology, Collaborative Research: Evolution of adaptive synergism between mutualistic partners during range-limit evolution. (DEB-1354629) (Total Award, $417,837, UT Tyler share: $ 81,171), Senior Collaborator
2009-2012 National Science Foundation, Integrative Organismal Systems, Symbiosis Defense and Self-Recognition Program. Physiological constraints of symbiont switching: An experimental study of cultivar fidelity and cultivar re-association in fungus-growing ants. (IOS-0920138) ($398,590), Co-PI
2011- present, Texas Ecolab/Texas Museum of Natural Science ($42,486 awarded to date)
Phylogeography of two fungus-growing ants of east central Texas.
Does dessication resistance limit the distribution of fungus-gardening ants of east central Texas?
Dispersal biology of a patchily distributed ant in east and central Texas
2015-2018, German Science Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), The fecundity/longevity tradeoff in a clonal ant. Senior Collaborator.
University of Texas-Austin, Microbial Ecology, Research Associate 2009-2013
University of Regensburg (Germany), Molecular Ecology, Postdoc, 2007-2009
Florida State University, Organismal Biology, Ph.D. 2006
University of Missouri-St. Louis, Tropical Biology M.S. 1999
University of Missouri-St. Louis, Biology B.S. 1994
University of Missouri-St. Louis German B.A. 1994
Professional Experience
- Associate Professor, University of Texas at Tyler, 2019-present
- Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Tyler, 2013- 2019
- Research Associate, University of Texas at Austin, 2011-2013
- Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas at Austin, 2009-2011
- Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (Research Associate), University of Regensburg, 2007-2009
Current and Past Major Funding
2016-2021 National Science Foundation, Integrative Organismal Systems, Symbiosis Defense and Self-Recognition Program. CAREER: Mechanisms of specificity and homeostasis in an obligate symbiosis (IOS-1552822) ($651,399) PI
2014 - 2018 National Science Foundation, Division of Environmental Biology, Evolutionary Ecology, Collaborative Research: Evolution of adaptive synergism between mutualistic partners during range-limit evolution. (DEB-1354629) (Total Award, $417,837, UT Tyler share: $ 81,171), Senior Collaborator
2009-2012 National Science Foundation, Integrative Organismal Systems, Symbiosis Defense and Self-Recognition Program. Physiological constraints of symbiont switching: An experimental study of cultivar fidelity and cultivar re-association in fungus-growing ants. (IOS-0920138) ($398,590), Co-PI
2011- present, Texas Ecolab/Texas Museum of Natural Science ($42,486 awarded to date)
Phylogeography of two fungus-growing ants of east central Texas.
Does dessication resistance limit the distribution of fungus-gardening ants of east central Texas?
Dispersal biology of a patchily distributed ant in east and central Texas
2015-2018, German Science Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), The fecundity/longevity tradeoff in a clonal ant. Senior Collaborator.
graduate students
See "Joining" for opportunities for joining the lab! Open positions are available.
Kat Beigel
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I grew up in a small town located in Western Ohio. I graduated from Ohio State University in the Spring of 2017 with a B.S. in Evolution & Ecology and a B.A. in Art. At OSU, I worked in a molecular genetics lab studying nuclear dynamics in plants (i.e., how the nucleus is related to cell functions). For my undergraduate thesis, I conducted a research project on the nuclear positioning of legume plant root cells during the early stages of their symbiosis with rhizobia (a type of soil bacteria that partners with legumes). This was my first introduction to the study of symbiotic relationships, and I knew I wanted to continue exploring symbiosis. I was exposed to the wonderful world of insects through my job as an insect photographer at the C. A. Triplehorn Insect Collection at OSU. After graduation, I worked as a Post-Baccalaureate Intern at Archbold Biological Station in Venus, Florida. There, I had the opportunity to synthesize a lot of my previous knowledge into one study-- I investigated the complex, tripartite mutualistic relationships between certain ant species, legumes, and rhizobia. I knew that I wanted to explore and research other symbiotic systems. In the summer of 2018, I moved to Tyler, TX to begin my M.S. in Biology working with Jon Seal and Katrin Kellner to study fungus-gardening ants. I am interested in the symbiotic relationships between these ants, their fungi, and the microbial communities surrounding them.
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other members
Alix Matthews
Lab Manager/Technician |
I am from North Little Rock, Arkansas and I have always been intrigued by how species coexist, and maintain or change that coexistence over time and space. I went to Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and earned my B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Economics in 2014. At Rhodes, I worked on a project involving avian haemoparasites on songbirds (an interesting symbiotic system). From there, I went to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas and earned my M.Sc. in Biology in 2017. At ASU, I studied the coecology and coevolution of feather mites on warblers (another fascinating symbiosis). Now, at UT-Tyler, I am exploring a new type of symbiotic system among fungus-farming ants, their fungi, and their bacteria. I am involved in all aspects of the research in this lab, the day-to-day activities, and managerial duties. I am currently most involved in fragment analyses of Trachymyrmex species, fungal phylogenetics, and helping to maintain our lab ant colonies/fungus cultures alongside the students.
I have been involved in symbiosis research for several years now and I plan to continue this line of research in the future. My long term goal is to earn my PhD and learn more, as well as teach others, about the ecology and evolution of complex symbiotic systems. See my current and past research on my Research Gate and Google Scholar profiles |
Chase Rowan
Undergraduate Lab Technician |
My name is Chase Rowan. I grew up in the small town of Van, Texas which is located about 35 miles west of the UT Tyler Campus. As a kid, I became interested in wildlife and nature through camping and exploring in the wooded areas near my home. I am currently an undergraduate pursuing my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and hope to continue my education with a Masters in Biotechnology. In addition to my undergraduate degree, I am also assisting Dr. Kellner on a project involving microsatellite comparisons of Pogonomyrmex comanche.
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alumni
Graduate Students
Katherine Beigel, graduated December 2020
Thesis: A cophylogenetic analysis of fungus-gardening ants and their symbiotic fungi.
Matea Allert, graduated Spring 2016
Thesis: "Microbiome analysis of two sympatric fungus-gardening ants, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis and Trachymyrmex turrifex"
Alex DeMilto, graduated Spring 2015
Thesis: "Lignocellulose metabolism in a fungus-gardening ant symbiosis"
Thesis: A cophylogenetic analysis of fungus-gardening ants and their symbiotic fungi.
Matea Allert, graduated Spring 2016
Thesis: "Microbiome analysis of two sympatric fungus-gardening ants, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis and Trachymyrmex turrifex"
Alex DeMilto, graduated Spring 2015
Thesis: "Lignocellulose metabolism in a fungus-gardening ant symbiosis"
Undergraduate Students and Other Members
Joey Luiso - Diversity and population genetics of fungus from Trachymyrmex septentrionalis and Trachymyrmex turrifex, lab ant colonies care and maintenance, UT Tyler Darwin Day student coordinator (2015-2018)
Leighanna Mindt - Population genetics of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis and Trachymyrmex turrifex, LSAMP program participant (2016-2018)
Leighanna Mindt - Population genetics of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis and Trachymyrmex turrifex, LSAMP program participant (2016-2018)