Demas Lab, Winter 2021
Graduate Students | Undergraduate Students | Previous Lab Members
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PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Greg Demas
Professor, Department of Biology
Member, Program in Neuroscience and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior
Postdoctoral Fellow, Georgia State University (1998-2001)
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University (1998)
Contact: gdemas@indiana.edu
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GRADUATE STUDENTS
Amanda Han
B.A., The College of Wooster (2021)
Generally, I am interested in how neural, endocrinological, and physiological mechanisms regulate seasonal switches and social behavior (i.e. aggression) in both sexes. Currently, I’m devoting myself to examining long-term melatonin administration influences on offensive and defensive aggression and c-fos gene expression in hypothalamus in Siberian Hamsters.
Abel Cong
B.S., Syracuse University (2022)
I am interested in the neuroendocrinological mechanism in sexual dimorphic behavior, especially in mating behavior, and how it relates to the bigger context of evolutionary biology.
Hannah Fink
B.A., Franklin and Marshall College (2020)
Broadly, I am interested in the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying sexually dimorphic behavior. I am particularly interested in how hormones other than testosterone can influence both social and reproductive behaviors.
Beth Morrison
M.S., University of Central Arkansas (2016)
B.S., University of Central Arkansas (2013)
Co-advised by Irene Newton
I am interested in how changes in gut microbiota affect behavior, specifically maternal care and reproduction. My current project investigates the effect of antibiotic treatment on behavior and the microbial diversity of female Siberian hamsters and its potential behavioral and physiological consequences in neonates.
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UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Kate Steiner
Class of 2024
Leah Burger
Class of 2027
Ruofei Du
Class 2025
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PREVIOUS LAB MEMBERS
Graduate Students and Postdocs
Matt Lansing, M.S.
Biotechnology Master’s Program
Current Position
Medical student in Medical School, Indiana University
Dr. Kat Munley
Dissertation
Melatonin as a neuroendocrine regulator of seasonal aggression in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)
Current Position
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Houston
Cat Steinbeiser, M.S.
Co-advised by Mike Wasserman
Thesis
Presence and physiological effects of phytoestrogens in the diet of Ugandan red colobus monkeys (Piliocolobus tephrosceles)
Current Position
Wildlife Biologist and Data Analyst, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Dr. Jessica Cusick
Common Themes in Reproductive Diversity Postdoctoral Associate (2019-2021)
Current Position
Assistant Professor, Utah Valley University
Jessica Biddle (Deyoe), MPH
Lab Manager (2016-2020)
Current Position
Epidemiology Data manager, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Goldbelt Contractor)
Dr. Kristyn Sylvia
Dissertation
Modulation of the neuroendocrine system, gut microbiome, and social behavior
Current Position
Senior Scientific Project Director, Summit Global Health; Adjunct Professor, Stonehill College
Dr. Allison Bailey
Dissertation
Regulation of seasonal reproduction by interacting environmental cues in Siberian hamsters
Current Position
Curatorial Science Fellow, Wildlife Conservation Society
Dr. Tierney Lorenz
Common Themes in Reproductive Diversity Postdoctoral Associate (2013-2016)
Current Position
Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dr. Nikki Rendon
Dissertation
Neuroendocrine mechanisms of seasonal aggression in females
Current Position
Associate Medical Director, Avant Healthcare
Dr. Liz Carlton
Dissertation
Energetic signals and stressors regulate reproductive immune trade-offs and seasonal sickness responses in Siberian hamsters
Position (till 2023)
Junior High School Science Teacher, Illinois
Dr. Christy Bergeon Burns
Co-advised by Ellen Ketterson
Dissertation
Coordination of testosterone-mediated phenotypes and underlying endocrine mechanisms across divergent populations of the dark-eyed junco
Current Position
Genetic Counselor, Spectrum Health
Dr. Jacqueline Ho
Dissertation
Seasonal changes in endocannabonoid signaling and energy balance
Current Position
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Washington
Dr. Emily Chester
Dissertation
Short- and long-term effects of environmental challenges during gestation in Siberian hamsters
Current Positions
Technical Director of Evolutionary Anthropology Laboratory and Research Associate in Primate Environmental Endocrinology Laboratory, Kinsey Institute and Department of Anthropology at Indiana University
Dr. Mayte Ruiz
Co-advised by Emília Martins
Dissertation
Social signals and food availability influence reproduction and immunity
Current Position
Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Puerto Rico
Dr. Susannah French
Common Themes in Reproductive Diversity Postdoctoral Associate (2007-2009)
Current Position
Professor and Associate Dean of College of Science, Utah State University
Dr. Tim Greives
Dissertation
The role of kisspeptin in the regulation of seasonal reproduction in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)
Current Position
Associate Professor, North Dakota State University
Dr. Devin Zysling Craven
Co-advised by Ellen Ketterson
Dissertation
The role of energetic trade-offs associated with seasonal variation in immune function
Current Position
Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs CDx. Labcorp Drug Development
Dr. Melissa Scotti
Dissertation
The neuroendocrine mediators of aggression in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)
Current Position
Senior Compliance Program Manager, Northwell Health
Dr. Nancy Beecher
Co-advised by Craig Nelson
Dissertation
Frog declines: Exploring connections among climate change, immunity, and disease
Current Position
Senior Biologist, Southern Nevada Water Authority
Undergraduate Students
Luke Gohmann
Class of 2023
Sydney Szwed
Class of 2023
Katie Eggleston
King University (CISAB REU Program)
Class of 2022
Nathaniel Ma
rtine
Class of 2023
Lizbeth Funkhouser
Class of 2023
Shubhi Sinha
Class of 2023
Kate Adaniya
Class of 2022
Taylor Deckard
Class of 2021
Andi Nowakowski
Class of 2021
Molly Pendergast
Class of 2021
Justuss Boice
Class of 2020
Eamonn Duffy
Class of 2020
Sarah Henderson
Class of 2020
Caroline McCord
Class of 2021
Grace Murphy
Class of 2020
A.J. Brougham
Class of 2020
Costa Dalis
Class of 2020
Ekelé Andrews
Class of 2020
Dannie Henton
Class of 2019
Leanne Jossund
Class of 2019
Cameron Logan
Class of 2019
John Reinhart
Class of 2019
Clarissa Ren
Class of 2019
Michael Vu
Class of 2019
Desirée Nieves Canabal
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (CISAB REU Program)
Class of 2019
Ayley Shortridge
Michigan State University (CISAB REU Program)
Class of 2020
Emma St. John
Class of 2018
Elizabeth Bauserman
Class of 2019
Leah Beck
Class of 2018
Rachel Stephens
Class of 2018
Jesus Bazan
Class of 2018
Daniel Boyes
Class of 2017
Patricia Baez Ramos
University of Puerto Rico (CISAB REU Program)
Class of 2017
Andrea Amez
Class of 2016
Kyle O’Malley
Class of 2016
Paola Guardado
Ellen Weigel
Class of 2015
Andrew Thompson
Lauren Wright
Harini Gurram
Class of 2014
Matthew Smith
Class of 2013
Sarah Orth
Class of 2013
Kim Long
Class of 2012
Jessica VanOsdol
Class of 2011
Sucharat Tayarachakul
Class of 2011
Samantha Adams
Class of 2011
Amy Sutton
Class of 2010
Rachel Buck
Class of 2010
Nick Garcia
Class of 2009
Tafor Banu
Class of 2009
Jerrah Jackson
Class of 2009
Emily Stepp
Class of 2008
Stefanie Frommeyer
Class of 2006
Kentaro Oki
Class of 2006
Misty Hawkins
Class of 2006
Prashant Patel
Class of 2005
Sangeeta Sakaria
Class of 2005
Tracy Estes
Class of 2004
Andy Lutz
Class of 2004
Al Durazzo
Class of 2004
Claire Gonzalez
Class of 2002
Kevin Proud
Class of 2002
Demas Lab 