Curriculum VitaeMelissa S. Plakke
Division of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Governors State University, University Park, IL 60484 E-mail: [email protected] |
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EDUCATION
2013-2019 Ph.D. Biological Sciences, minor in Biology Teaching. University of Pittsburgh, PA.
Dissertation: “Post-mating, pre-zygotic interactions and their potential to drive
speciation in the Cabbage White butterfly, Pieris rapae”
2009-2012 B.S. in Zoology with Honors, B.S. in Biological Sciences. Colorado State University, CO.
2013-2019 Ph.D. Biological Sciences, minor in Biology Teaching. University of Pittsburgh, PA.
Dissertation: “Post-mating, pre-zygotic interactions and their potential to drive
speciation in the Cabbage White butterfly, Pieris rapae”
2009-2012 B.S. in Zoology with Honors, B.S. in Biological Sciences. Colorado State University, CO.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Role of genetic diversity in evolution, co-evolution, speciation, sexual conflict, reproduction
Role of genetic diversity in evolution, co-evolution, speciation, sexual conflict, reproduction
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2022-present Assistant Professor, Governors State University
2019-2021 Post-doctoral NIH IRACDA Fellow, University of Kansas
Advisor: Dr. Jamie Walters
Project: Exploring the evolution and development of dimorphic sperm across
Lepidoptera
2013-2019 Ph.D. Student, University of Pittsburgh.
Advisors: Dr. Nathan Clark and Dr. Nathan Morehouse
Project: Assessing the relative role that sexual conflict and cooperation play in
driving reproductive coevolution and speciation in butterflies
2012-2013 NSF-REU Undergraduate Researcher. Mueller lab, Colorado State University
Advisor: Dr. Rachel Mueller
Project: Determining the phylogenetics of salamanders and comparing nuclear
genome evolution to mitochondrial genome evolution
2011-2012 Undergraduate Senior Thesis. Colorado State University
Advisor: Dr. Kim Hoke
Project: Evaluating genetic diversity, inbreeding, and infant mortality in
captive breeding programs for cheetah populations around the world
2010-2012 Undergraduate assistant. Coughenour lab, Colorado State University
Advisor: Sarah Maisonneuve
Project: Identifying and addressing sources of conflict between humans and
elephants in Tanzania
2022-present Assistant Professor, Governors State University
2019-2021 Post-doctoral NIH IRACDA Fellow, University of Kansas
Advisor: Dr. Jamie Walters
Project: Exploring the evolution and development of dimorphic sperm across
Lepidoptera
2013-2019 Ph.D. Student, University of Pittsburgh.
Advisors: Dr. Nathan Clark and Dr. Nathan Morehouse
Project: Assessing the relative role that sexual conflict and cooperation play in
driving reproductive coevolution and speciation in butterflies
2012-2013 NSF-REU Undergraduate Researcher. Mueller lab, Colorado State University
Advisor: Dr. Rachel Mueller
Project: Determining the phylogenetics of salamanders and comparing nuclear
genome evolution to mitochondrial genome evolution
2011-2012 Undergraduate Senior Thesis. Colorado State University
Advisor: Dr. Kim Hoke
Project: Evaluating genetic diversity, inbreeding, and infant mortality in
captive breeding programs for cheetah populations around the world
2010-2012 Undergraduate assistant. Coughenour lab, Colorado State University
Advisor: Sarah Maisonneuve
Project: Identifying and addressing sources of conflict between humans and
elephants in Tanzania
RESEARCH GRANTS
2019-2021 NIH IRACDA ($170,000)
2017 NSF EAPSI/JSPS Summer Fellow ($15,000)
PI. “Assessing Butterfly Evolutionary Divergence in a Post-mating, Pre-zygotic Interaction”
2017 Arthur and Barbara Pape Endowment Award ($3,190)
PI. “Assessing divergence and evolutionary drivers in the reproductive tracts of
the Cabbage White butterfly, Pieris rapae”
2017 Graduate Student Organization Summer Research Grant ($500)
PI. “How to Make a Butterfly: The Process of One Species Becoming Two.”
2015 Grant in Aid of Research, Sigma Xi ($700)
PI. “Protease-substrate specificity in a digestive female reproductive organ”
2019-2021 NIH IRACDA ($170,000)
2017 NSF EAPSI/JSPS Summer Fellow ($15,000)
PI. “Assessing Butterfly Evolutionary Divergence in a Post-mating, Pre-zygotic Interaction”
2017 Arthur and Barbara Pape Endowment Award ($3,190)
PI. “Assessing divergence and evolutionary drivers in the reproductive tracts of
the Cabbage White butterfly, Pieris rapae”
2017 Graduate Student Organization Summer Research Grant ($500)
PI. “How to Make a Butterfly: The Process of One Species Becoming Two.”
2015 Grant in Aid of Research, Sigma Xi ($700)
PI. “Protease-substrate specificity in a digestive female reproductive organ”
TRAVEL SUPPORT
2022 SSE Caregiver Award, Society for the Study of Evolution ($500)
2018 Elizabeth Dillion Travel Award, University of Pittsburgh ($600)
2017 SICB Charlotte Magnum student travel support ($100)
2016 Travel Grant, A&S PBC, University of Pittsburgh ($600)
2016 Travel Grant, Graduate and Professional Student Government ($170)
2016 Travel Grant, A&S GSO, University of Pittsburgh ($200)
2016 SICB Charlotte Magnum student travel support ($140)
2015 Travel Grant, Graduate and Professional Student Government ($250)
2015 Travel Grant, Society of Systematic Biologists ($1,750)
2015 Travel Grant, Society for the Study of Evolution ($800)
2013 Travel Grant, American Genetics Association ($500)
2022 SSE Caregiver Award, Society for the Study of Evolution ($500)
2018 Elizabeth Dillion Travel Award, University of Pittsburgh ($600)
2017 SICB Charlotte Magnum student travel support ($100)
2016 Travel Grant, A&S PBC, University of Pittsburgh ($600)
2016 Travel Grant, Graduate and Professional Student Government ($170)
2016 Travel Grant, A&S GSO, University of Pittsburgh ($200)
2016 SICB Charlotte Magnum student travel support ($140)
2015 Travel Grant, Graduate and Professional Student Government ($250)
2015 Travel Grant, Society of Systematic Biologists ($1,750)
2015 Travel Grant, Society for the Study of Evolution ($800)
2013 Travel Grant, American Genetics Association ($500)
AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 3MT Natural Sciences, 3rd place, University of Pittsburgh
2019 3MT Biological Sciences Finalist, University of Pittsburgh
2018 Stanton C. Crawford Teaching Award, University of Pittsburgh
2018-2019 Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh ($23,628)
2018 Graduate Expo Outstanding Presenter, University of Pittsburgh ($100)
2017 SMBE Satellite Conference Funds ($5,000)
2016-2017 Ivy McManus Diversity Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh ($21,262)
2015 Honorable Mention, NSF GRFP
2014 Honorable Mention, NSF GRFP
2013-2014 First Year Fellowship. University of Pittsburgh ($20,488)
2013 Honorable Mention, NSF GRFP
2019 3MT Natural Sciences, 3rd place, University of Pittsburgh
2019 3MT Biological Sciences Finalist, University of Pittsburgh
2018 Stanton C. Crawford Teaching Award, University of Pittsburgh
2018-2019 Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh ($23,628)
2018 Graduate Expo Outstanding Presenter, University of Pittsburgh ($100)
2017 SMBE Satellite Conference Funds ($5,000)
2016-2017 Ivy McManus Diversity Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh ($21,262)
2015 Honorable Mention, NSF GRFP
2014 Honorable Mention, NSF GRFP
2013-2014 First Year Fellowship. University of Pittsburgh ($20,488)
2013 Honorable Mention, NSF GRFP
PUBLICATIONS
Forthcoming Plakke, M.S. “Inbreeding Depression among Captive Cheetahs and Implications for
Wild Populations.” In revision.
2021 Echeverri, S.A., Miller, A.E., Chen, J., McQueen, E.W., Plakke, M., Spicer, M., Hoke, K.L.,
Stoddard, M.C., Morehouse, N.I. (2021). How signaling geometry shapes the efficacy and evolution
of animal communication systems. ICB. 61(3): 787-813.
2019 Plakke, M.S., Walker, J.L., Lombardo, J.B., Goetz, B.J., Pacella, G.N., Durrant,
J.D., Clark, N.L., Morehouse, N.I. “Characterization of female reproductive proteases
in a butterfly from functional and evolutionary perspectives." PBZ. 92 (6): 579-590.
2017 Meslin, C., Cherwin, T.S., Plakke, M.S., Hill, J., Small, B.S., Goetz, B.J., Wheat, C.W.,
Morehouse, N.I., Clark, N.L. “The complexity and molecular heterogeneity of a butterfly
ejaculate reflect a complex history of selection.” PNAS. 114 (27): E5406-E5413.
2015 Plakke, M.S., Deutsch, A.B., Meslin, C., Clark, N.L., Morehouse, N.I. “Dynamic digestive
physiology of a female reproductive organ in a polyandrous butterfly.” J. Exp. Biol. 218
(10): 1548-1555.
2015 Meslin, C., Plakke, M.S., Deutsch, A.B., Small, B.S., Morehouse, N.I., Clark, N.L.
“Digestive Organ in the Female Reproductive Tract Borrows Genes from Multiple Organ Systems
to Adopt Critical Functions.” Mol. Bio. Evol. 32 (6): 1567-1580.
Forthcoming Plakke, M.S. “Inbreeding Depression among Captive Cheetahs and Implications for
Wild Populations.” In revision.
2021 Echeverri, S.A., Miller, A.E., Chen, J., McQueen, E.W., Plakke, M., Spicer, M., Hoke, K.L.,
Stoddard, M.C., Morehouse, N.I. (2021). How signaling geometry shapes the efficacy and evolution
of animal communication systems. ICB. 61(3): 787-813.
2019 Plakke, M.S., Walker, J.L., Lombardo, J.B., Goetz, B.J., Pacella, G.N., Durrant,
J.D., Clark, N.L., Morehouse, N.I. “Characterization of female reproductive proteases
in a butterfly from functional and evolutionary perspectives." PBZ. 92 (6): 579-590.
2017 Meslin, C., Cherwin, T.S., Plakke, M.S., Hill, J., Small, B.S., Goetz, B.J., Wheat, C.W.,
Morehouse, N.I., Clark, N.L. “The complexity and molecular heterogeneity of a butterfly
ejaculate reflect a complex history of selection.” PNAS. 114 (27): E5406-E5413.
2015 Plakke, M.S., Deutsch, A.B., Meslin, C., Clark, N.L., Morehouse, N.I. “Dynamic digestive
physiology of a female reproductive organ in a polyandrous butterfly.” J. Exp. Biol. 218
(10): 1548-1555.
2015 Meslin, C., Plakke, M.S., Deutsch, A.B., Small, B.S., Morehouse, N.I., Clark, N.L.
“Digestive Organ in the Female Reproductive Tract Borrows Genes from Multiple Organ Systems
to Adopt Critical Functions.” Mol. Bio. Evol. 32 (6): 1567-1580.
INVITED SEMINARS
2019 Reproductive co-evolution and incipient speciation in the Cabbage White butterfly.
Department of Biology, Missouri State University, MO. Seminar.
2017 Man Eater: Reproductive Digestion and its Repercussions for Coevolution. Pymatuning Laboratory
of Ecology, PA. Seminar.
2019 Reproductive co-evolution and incipient speciation in the Cabbage White butterfly.
Department of Biology, Missouri State University, MO. Seminar.
2017 Man Eater: Reproductive Digestion and its Repercussions for Coevolution. Pymatuning Laboratory
of Ecology, PA. Seminar.
PRESENTATIONS
2022 Single-cell gene expression of lepidopteran sperm morphs across developmental stages.
Evolution conference. Virtual Talk.
2020 Patterns of small non-coding RNA expression across dimorphic sperm. Great Plains Genetic
Conflict conference, Lawrence, KS. Poster.
2020 Patterns of small non-coding RNA expression across dimorphic sperm. Society for Integrative
and Comparative Biology conference, Austin, TX. Poster.
2020 A recent, lineage-specific, co-option event within the female reproductive tract of the Cabbage
White butterfly, Pieris rapae L. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology conference, Austin,
TX. Talk.
2019 Divergence at a post-mating, pre-zygotic interface in the Cabbage White butterfly. Biology of
Spermatozoa Meeting, Nynäshamn, Sweden. Poster.
2019 Divergence at a post-mating, pre-zygotic interface in the Cabbage White butterfly.
Evolution conference, Providence, RI. Talk.
2018 Co-Evolution Between the Male and Female Reproductive Tracts of the Cabbage White Butterfly.
Three Rivers Evolution Event, Pittsburgh, PA. Poster.
2018 Co-Evolution Between the Male and Female Reproductive Tracts of the Cabbage White Butterfly.
Evolution conference, Montpellier, FR. Poster.
2017 Investigating Functional Divergence in Reproductive Physiology as a Driver of Butterfly
Speciation. SOKENDAI, Japan. Poster.
2017 Investigating Digestive Properties of Reproductive Proteases in a Female Butterfly. Society for
Integrative and Comparative Biology conference, New Orleans, LA. Talk.
2016 Molecular Dynamics and Phenotypic Divergence in a Post-Copulatory Interaction in the Butterfly
Pieris rapae. Evolution conference, Austin, TX. Poster.
2016 Investigating Reproductive Coevolution Using Butterflies as a Model. University of Pittsburgh,
PA. Seminar.
2016 Stomachs in Your Butterfly: Exploring the Identity and Activity of Proteases in the Reproductive
Tract of Female Butterflies. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology conference, Portland,
OR. Poster.
2015 Dynamic Digestive Physiology of a Female Reproductive Organ in a Polyandrous Butterfly. Evolution
conference, Guarujá, Brazil. Talk.
2014 Evolution and Co-Evolution of Derived Reproductive Traits in a Polyandrous Butterfly. University
of Pittsburgh, PA. Seminar.
2014 Extreme Digestive Physiology in a Female Reproductive Organ Mediating Sexual Conflict in a Polyandrous
Butterfly. International Society for Behavioral Ecology conference, New York, NY. Poster.
2012 Genetic diversity among captive cheetahs and implications for wild populations. Colorado State
University, CO. Talk.
2022 Single-cell gene expression of lepidopteran sperm morphs across developmental stages.
Evolution conference. Virtual Talk.
2020 Patterns of small non-coding RNA expression across dimorphic sperm. Great Plains Genetic
Conflict conference, Lawrence, KS. Poster.
2020 Patterns of small non-coding RNA expression across dimorphic sperm. Society for Integrative
and Comparative Biology conference, Austin, TX. Poster.
2020 A recent, lineage-specific, co-option event within the female reproductive tract of the Cabbage
White butterfly, Pieris rapae L. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology conference, Austin,
TX. Talk.
2019 Divergence at a post-mating, pre-zygotic interface in the Cabbage White butterfly. Biology of
Spermatozoa Meeting, Nynäshamn, Sweden. Poster.
2019 Divergence at a post-mating, pre-zygotic interface in the Cabbage White butterfly.
Evolution conference, Providence, RI. Talk.
2018 Co-Evolution Between the Male and Female Reproductive Tracts of the Cabbage White Butterfly.
Three Rivers Evolution Event, Pittsburgh, PA. Poster.
2018 Co-Evolution Between the Male and Female Reproductive Tracts of the Cabbage White Butterfly.
Evolution conference, Montpellier, FR. Poster.
2017 Investigating Functional Divergence in Reproductive Physiology as a Driver of Butterfly
Speciation. SOKENDAI, Japan. Poster.
2017 Investigating Digestive Properties of Reproductive Proteases in a Female Butterfly. Society for
Integrative and Comparative Biology conference, New Orleans, LA. Talk.
2016 Molecular Dynamics and Phenotypic Divergence in a Post-Copulatory Interaction in the Butterfly
Pieris rapae. Evolution conference, Austin, TX. Poster.
2016 Investigating Reproductive Coevolution Using Butterflies as a Model. University of Pittsburgh,
PA. Seminar.
2016 Stomachs in Your Butterfly: Exploring the Identity and Activity of Proteases in the Reproductive
Tract of Female Butterflies. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology conference, Portland,
OR. Poster.
2015 Dynamic Digestive Physiology of a Female Reproductive Organ in a Polyandrous Butterfly. Evolution
conference, Guarujá, Brazil. Talk.
2014 Evolution and Co-Evolution of Derived Reproductive Traits in a Polyandrous Butterfly. University
of Pittsburgh, PA. Seminar.
2014 Extreme Digestive Physiology in a Female Reproductive Organ Mediating Sexual Conflict in a Polyandrous
Butterfly. International Society for Behavioral Ecology conference, New York, NY. Poster.
2012 Genetic diversity among captive cheetahs and implications for wild populations. Colorado State
University, CO. Talk.
TEACHING CERTIFICATIONS
2020 Practitioner in Digital Teaching and Learning Blackboard Certification
2019 Teaching Minor in College Biology, University of Pittsburgh
2019 Pedagogy Badge, University of Pittsburgh
Concentrations in Educational Technology, Pedagogy, and Diversity
2020 Practitioner in Digital Teaching and Learning Blackboard Certification
2019 Teaching Minor in College Biology, University of Pittsburgh
2019 Pedagogy Badge, University of Pittsburgh
Concentrations in Educational Technology, Pedagogy, and Diversity
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Haskell Indian Nations University, KS
2020 Course: BIOL 103 General Biology Lecture Fall Semester
Role: Instructor of Record; design and implement fully online curricula for 2
lecture sections, conduct both synchronous and asynchronous sessions, create
group and individual assignments, and engage students in discussions
University of Pittsburgh, PA
2019 Course: BIOSC 0057 Foundations of Biology Research Lab 1 summer semester
Role: Co-instructor; assisted in development and implementation of a Course-
Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) focused on the microbiome
of flower petals
2018 Course: BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology II 2nd summer semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 2 recitation sections per week, grade recitations
and exams, hold office hours, convert material to digital format.
Guest Lecture: Speciation
2018 Course: BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology II 1st summer semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 3 recitation sections per week, develop recitation
materials, hold office hours, convert material to digital format.
Guest Lectures: Central Dogma; Speciation
2018 Course: BIOSC 1000 Biochemistry spring semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, develop journal club
activities for recitations, hold office hours, conduct review sessions, grade exams.
2017 Course: BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology I fall semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, hold office hours,
conduct review sessions.
2017 Course: BIOSC 1610 Conservation Biology summer semester
Role: Teaching assistant; set up, monitor and assist in field experiments, transport
students to field sites, hold office hours, assess final presentations.
Guest Lecture: Population Genetics
2017 Inquiry Based Learning Workshop, co-organizer/developer
2017 BIOSC 0350 Genetics Guest Lecture, Genetic Methods
2016-2017 Course: BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology I Diversity Workshops
Role: Facilitate weekly evening workshops for students of underrepresented backgrounds,
develop materials, collect and analyze measures of program success.
2016 Course: Howard Hughes Medical Institute summer workshop
Role: Teaching assistant; co-designed and implemented curricula, assist with
workshop experiment, provide abstract feedback, provide presentation feedback.
2016 Course: BIOSC 0350 Genetics spring semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, grade homework and
exams, hold office hours, develop homework assignments.
Guest Lecture: Genetic Methods
2015 Course: BIOSC 0350 Genetics fall semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, grade homework and
exams, hold office hours, develop homework assignments, develop journal club
activities for recitation.
2015 Course: Howard Hughes Medical Institute summer workshop
Role: Teaching assistant; co-designed and implemented curricula, assist with
workshop experiment, provide abstract feedback, provide presentation feedback.
2015 Course: BIOSC 0350 Genetics TA, spring semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, grade homework and
exams, hold office hours.
2014 Course: BIOSC 0350 Genetics TA, fall semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, grade homework and
exams, hold office hours.
Haskell Indian Nations University, KS
2020 Course: BIOL 103 General Biology Lecture Fall Semester
Role: Instructor of Record; design and implement fully online curricula for 2
lecture sections, conduct both synchronous and asynchronous sessions, create
group and individual assignments, and engage students in discussions
University of Pittsburgh, PA
2019 Course: BIOSC 0057 Foundations of Biology Research Lab 1 summer semester
Role: Co-instructor; assisted in development and implementation of a Course-
Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) focused on the microbiome
of flower petals
2018 Course: BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology II 2nd summer semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 2 recitation sections per week, grade recitations
and exams, hold office hours, convert material to digital format.
Guest Lecture: Speciation
2018 Course: BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology II 1st summer semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 3 recitation sections per week, develop recitation
materials, hold office hours, convert material to digital format.
Guest Lectures: Central Dogma; Speciation
2018 Course: BIOSC 1000 Biochemistry spring semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, develop journal club
activities for recitations, hold office hours, conduct review sessions, grade exams.
2017 Course: BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology I fall semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, hold office hours,
conduct review sessions.
2017 Course: BIOSC 1610 Conservation Biology summer semester
Role: Teaching assistant; set up, monitor and assist in field experiments, transport
students to field sites, hold office hours, assess final presentations.
Guest Lecture: Population Genetics
2017 Inquiry Based Learning Workshop, co-organizer/developer
2017 BIOSC 0350 Genetics Guest Lecture, Genetic Methods
2016-2017 Course: BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology I Diversity Workshops
Role: Facilitate weekly evening workshops for students of underrepresented backgrounds,
develop materials, collect and analyze measures of program success.
2016 Course: Howard Hughes Medical Institute summer workshop
Role: Teaching assistant; co-designed and implemented curricula, assist with
workshop experiment, provide abstract feedback, provide presentation feedback.
2016 Course: BIOSC 0350 Genetics spring semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, grade homework and
exams, hold office hours, develop homework assignments.
Guest Lecture: Genetic Methods
2015 Course: BIOSC 0350 Genetics fall semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, grade homework and
exams, hold office hours, develop homework assignments, develop journal club
activities for recitation.
2015 Course: Howard Hughes Medical Institute summer workshop
Role: Teaching assistant; co-designed and implemented curricula, assist with
workshop experiment, provide abstract feedback, provide presentation feedback.
2015 Course: BIOSC 0350 Genetics TA, spring semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, grade homework and
exams, hold office hours.
2014 Course: BIOSC 0350 Genetics TA, fall semester
Role: Teaching assistant; conduct 4 recitations per week, grade homework and
exams, hold office hours.
MENTORING EXPERIENCE
2020-present Graduate research mentor
Role: Co-mentorship of thesis track Masters Student at the University of Kansas,
assisted in project design, implementation, navigation of the literature
2016-2017 Ivy McManus Diversity Fellow
Role: Mentorship of 2 post-baccalaureate students and 109 undergraduates from underrepresented groups
2016-2017 Biological Sciences Teaching Assistant/Fellow Mentor
Role: Mentorship of 11 graduate student TAs
2015-2018 Reaching inside Your Soul for Excellence Coach
Role: Coached 27 students categorized as underrepresented in science with an aim for academic success
and retention
2013-present Undergraduate research mentor
Role: Mentored 14 undergraduates through research projects, including 7 women and two students
belonging to an underrepresented demographic.
2020-present Graduate research mentor
Role: Co-mentorship of thesis track Masters Student at the University of Kansas,
assisted in project design, implementation, navigation of the literature
2016-2017 Ivy McManus Diversity Fellow
Role: Mentorship of 2 post-baccalaureate students and 109 undergraduates from underrepresented groups
2016-2017 Biological Sciences Teaching Assistant/Fellow Mentor
Role: Mentorship of 11 graduate student TAs
2015-2018 Reaching inside Your Soul for Excellence Coach
Role: Coached 27 students categorized as underrepresented in science with an aim for academic success
and retention
2013-present Undergraduate research mentor
Role: Mentored 14 undergraduates through research projects, including 7 women and two students
belonging to an underrepresented demographic.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES
2018-2020 Society for the Study of Evolution Graduate Student Advisory Council
Role: Disseminate and promote research conducted by early career researchers through society Twitter
account and newsletter, organize graduate events at annual Evolution conference, review graduate
research grant proposals, and provide resources to the general graduate community.
2018 Three Rivers Evolution Event co-chair, Pittsburgh, PA
Role: Established and oversaw subcommittees for the second annual conference, arranged keynote speaker
address, and organized mentorship activities for undergraduates and early career researchers.
2017 Three Rivers Evolution Event co-founder and organizer, Pittsburgh, PA
Role: Designed, implemented and established funding for a free, regional one-day evolution conference
which brought together over 160 scientists in its inaugural year.
2018-2020 Society for the Study of Evolution Graduate Student Advisory Council
Role: Disseminate and promote research conducted by early career researchers through society Twitter
account and newsletter, organize graduate events at annual Evolution conference, review graduate
research grant proposals, and provide resources to the general graduate community.
2018 Three Rivers Evolution Event co-chair, Pittsburgh, PA
Role: Established and oversaw subcommittees for the second annual conference, arranged keynote speaker
address, and organized mentorship activities for undergraduates and early career researchers.
2017 Three Rivers Evolution Event co-founder and organizer, Pittsburgh, PA
Role: Designed, implemented and established funding for a free, regional one-day evolution conference
which brought together over 160 scientists in its inaugural year.