Susan Whitehead
Principal Investigator

I am an evolutionary ecologist interested in the mechanisms and consequences of interactions involving plants and other organisms. My research is generally grounded in field-based studies, but I take an integrative approach that includes phytochemical analysis, laboratory bioassays, and a diversity of quantitative methods. 

I began as an assistant professor at Virginia Tech in January 2017. Previously I was a postdoctoral researcher with Katja Poveda at Cornell University and a Ph.D. student with Deane Bowers at the University of Colorado.

 Contact: swhitehead@vt.edu | Google Scholar | Research Gate  
​

Annika Nelson
Post-doctoral Researcher

I am a population and community ecologist broadly interested in understanding the biotic and abiotic factors driving variation in mutualisms and multi-trophic interactions. For my PhD, I studied the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on mutualisms. My postdoctoral research is focused on the chemical ecology of seed dispersal and fruit defense.​
Contact: annikasn@vt.edu | Website | Google Scholar

Lauren Maynard
​Ph.D. Student

 ​I am broadly interested in the intricate puzzle of the natural world. I enjoy untangling the relationships among species and trophic levels. For my master’s research, I am working at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica studying the role of secondary metabolites in seed dispersal. My project will focus on a plant genus (Piper) and two groups of animals that consume its fruits: bats and birds.
​Contact: ldmaynar@vt.edu

Tori Meakem
​M.S. Student

I am interested in multi-species interactions, with a particular focus on tree response to pest and pathogen pressures. Before joining the lab as an MS student, I worked with long-term forest monitoring plots to quantify changes in forest structure and carbon stocks. My current work involves examining the influence of different phytobiome-altering treatments on fruit chemistry and pest damage in apple trees.
Contact: vmeakem@vt.edu

Mariana Gelambi
​Ph.D. Student

I am interested in how ecological interactions – reciprocal and specific – have shaped the evolution of the clades involved. My research has been focused on
particular aspects of the ecology and physiology of phyllostomid bats in Venezuela.

For my dissertation, I will explore the effects of secondary compounds contained in
fruits with respect to the physiology and behavior of bats, using a well-known model of interactions: Carollia and Piper. I would like to elucidate the fate of these
fruit compounds in the bats, and ascertain if these animals can use these toxins for their own benefits.
Contact: gelambi@vt.edu

Melissa Burt
Ph.D. Student

I am interested in the effects of anthropogenic global change (e.g. habitat fragmentation, climate change, etc.) on ecological communities and plant-animal interactions. Before starting my PhD, I spent 5 years conducting research on the effects of habitat connectivity on longleaf pine savanna plant and ant communities. My current work investigates seed dispersal by ants in the same system.
Contact: melissaburt@vt.edu | @MelissaABurt | Google Scholar

Billy and Joey
Junior Researchers

We are a big brother & little brother team investigating the generalist foraging strategies of lepidopterans and their effects on weight gain prior to pupation.

Your Name Here?

If you are a motivated undergraduate, prospective graduate student, or post-doc and think you would be a good fit for the lab, please see the lab opportunities section for more details on any current recruiting efforts and tips for prospective students.

Current Undergraduate Researchers

​Traves Welch
Grace Florjancic
Jacob Turner
Gabi Dugan
Cyrus Crevits
Nicole Gaspari

Distinguished Lab Alumni

Jerry Schneider
Post-doc
​2017-19
Gustavo Teixeira
Visiting Professor
2018-19
Annie Zell
Lab Technician
​2017-18
Alex Corrigan
Undergrad Researcher
2017-19
Seanne Clemente
La Selva REU
Summer 2017
Keao Rivera-Long
La Selva REU
​Summer 2017
Madison Altice
JCHS Undergrad
Spring 2018
Freddie Xu
MAOP ​Undergrad
​Summer 2018
Undergraduate Research Assistants (2017-present)
Yancey Harrison (Spring 2018)
Audrey Boling (Spring 2018)
Tobi Osholaja (Summer 2018)
Michael Oduro (Summer 2018)
Dylan Rose (Summer 2018)
Nicholas Rhinesmith (Summer 2018)
Cole Saborio (Fall 2018)
Thomas Lowerre (Fall 2018)
Predj Simha (Fall 2018)
Alyn Wakefield (Summer 2018-Spring 2019)
Katherine Berg (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
Natalie Rodeman (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
Matthew Pluschau (Spring 2019)
Sadie Kelly (Spring 2019-Summer 2019)
Patrick Shea (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
Zach Fisher (Summer 2019-Fall 2019)