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: [email protected] | Google Scholar | Research Gate | @WhiteheadLabVT
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Benedicta Ottairoegbu
Ph.D. Student

 I love plants and how they influence the earth in various ways. I am interested in understanding how plants respond and adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions,  in relation to agriculture, food security and climate change. I obtained my Bachelor's degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, where I majored in Botany.
Contact: ottaibenedicta@vt.edu | 

Xavier Ozowara
Ph.D. Student

I am interested in the factors that shape fruit secondary metabolism. For my dissertation, I am investigating the effects of management systems, regional climate, pests, and pathogens on apple and strawberry phenolic composition and diversity. Before starting my PhD, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University.
Contact: ​[email protected]

Morgan Haymaker
Lab Manager/Research Technician

​I love supporting the Whitehead Lab in any way that I can. While I'm broadly interested in conservation, my biggest passion in the lab is helping our students succeed.  I have a Bachelor's degree in biology from Oregon State University.  In my free time you can find me hiking with my dogs or searching for lost people. 

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

Fiona Dreesbach
Derek Pantel
Yasmine Issa
Lee Matthew
Fiona Hardy
Bryce Grizzard
Drake Somervell

Distinguished Lab Alumni

Mariana Gelambi
Ph. D. Student
​2019-2024
Melissa Burt
Ph.D. Student
​2019-2024
Lauren Maynard
Ph.D. Student
​2017-2023
Anne Jones
Post-doc
​2020-2022
Annika Nelson
Post-doc
​2020-2022
Loren Rivera Vega
Post-doc
2021-2022
Jerry Schneider
Post-doc
​2017-19
Tori Meakem
M.S. Student
​2018-2020
Gustavo Teixeira
Visiting Professor
2018-19
Grace Florjancic
Lab Manager
2019-2020
Annie Zell
Lab Technician
​2017-18
Alex Corrigan
Undergrad Researcher
2017-19
Madison Altice
JCHS Undergrad
Spring 2018
Freddie Xu
MAOP ​Undergrad
​Summer 2018
Seanne Clemente
La Selva REU
Summer 2017​
Keao Rivera-Long
La Selva REU
​Summer 2017
Amazing Undergraduate Researchers (2017-present)

Wynn Haslam (Spring 2023-Spring 2024)
Chloe Burt (Spring 2023-Spring 2024)
Erik Cumpston (Fall 2023-Spring 2024) 
Ben Shettel (Fall 2022-Spring 2024)
Sagar Bajwa (Fall 2023)
Raul Lopez (Fall 2022-Spring 2023)
Faryal Sahar (Spring 2023)
Lillian Chiang (Summer 2022-Spring 2023)
Bailey Connors (Spring 2021-Spring 2023)
Ty Bloomer (Spring 2021-Spring 2023)
​Cynthia Talamo (Fall 2021-Spring 2023)
​Katherine Quiring (Spring 2022-Spring 2023)
Logan Peters (Spring 2022)​
Caroline Hronik (Spring 2022)​
Abby McCartney (Spring 2022)
Jonathan Yoder (Summer 2022)
Riley Ampt (Summer 2022)
Nathan Strominger (Summer 2021-Spring 2022)
Gabi Dugan (Spring 2020-Spring 2022)
​Nicole Gaspari (Spring 2020-Spring 2022)
​Joseph Garrett (Fall 2021) 
Grace Monger (Summer 2021)
Bailey Connors (Spring 2021)
Cyrus Crevits (Spring 2020)​
Traves Welch (Summer 2018-Spring 2020)
Jacob Turner (Summer 2019-Spring 2020)
Zach Fisher (Summer 2019-Fall 2019)
Patrick Shea (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
Sadie Kelly (Spring 2019-Summer 2019)
Alyn Wakefield (Summer 2018-Spring 2019)
Katherine Berg (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
Natalie Rodeman (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
Matthew Pluschau (Spring 2019)
Cole Saborio (Fall 2018)
Thomas Lowerre (Fall 2018)
Predj Simha (Fall 2018)
Tobi Osholaja (Summer 2018)
Michael Oduro (Summer 2018)
Dylan Rose (Summer 2018)
Nicholas Rhinesmith (Summer 2018)
Yancey Harrison (Spring 2018)
Audrey Boling (Spring 2018)