Lab Alumni

PhD Graduates

BetoRueda-TheOffice-p300Luis Alberto (Beto) Rueda Solano, PhD (2017–2022) Universidad de los Andes. Implicaciones adaptativas del sistema de aparaeamiento y “female-guarding” en ranas arlequines (Bufonidae: Atelopus). Beto is a professor of herpetology at Universidad del Magdalena in Colombia. His integrative PhD research on Atelopus was co-advised by an international team: Andrew Crawford (UniAndes, Evolution), myself (behavior, biotremology), and Carlos Navas (Universidade de São Paolo, ecophysiology). Beto’s collaboration with me focuses on the role of vibrational cues in foraging behavior of nocturnally active Atelopus. 

Javier Méndez Narváez, PhD (2015–2022) The role of phenotypic plasticity in reproductive colonization of land by frogs: Urea excretion and mechanisms to prevent ammonia toxicity during terrestrial development. Javier is a co-founder of the conservation research NGO Fundación Calima. He has returned to Colombia to continue his work in research and conservation. [javier0620@gmail.com]

Julie JungJulie Jung, PhD (2015–2021) Developmental changes in vibration sensing and vibration-cued hatching decisions in red-eyed treefrogs. Julie joined the Warkentin Lab after her BSc at Williams College and is currently an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow with Michael Werner at Utah State University, studying phenotypic plasticity with a nematode model system.

Jesse DeliaJesse Delia, PhD. (2011-2018) Parent-embryo interactions in Neotropical glassfrogs: female mating strategies, paternal effort, and adaptive plasticity in hatching. Belamarich award winner for the Most Outstanding Biology Dissertation at BU. Jesse has worked on glassfrogs in Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Panama. He joined the Warkentin lab after a Masters at East Carolina University with Kyle Summers and went on to a Postdoc with Lauren O’Connell at Stanford. He is currently a Gerstner Scholar at the American Museum of Natural History.

Kristina Cohen, PhD. (2010-2017) Anuran hatching mechanisms and their role in adaptive plasticity. Belamarich award winner for the Most Outstanding Biology Dissertation at BU. Kristina joined the Warkentin lab after training and working as a middle and high school science teacher. She divided her time between tropical and temperate fieldwork, molecular lab work, and electron microscopy. After a HHMI Postdoc at the Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning at Brown University, Kristina has returned to BU as a Natural Science Lecturer in the College of General Studies.

Myra checking eggs
(Photo by M. Caldwell)

Myra Hughey, PhD. (2005-2011) Integrating species interactions and spatial dynamics to explain insect distribution and abundance on a patchy resource. Currently an Assistant Professor at Vassar College.

Michael Caldwell
(Photo by V. Briggs)

Michael Caldwell, PhD. (2003-2010) The use of vibrational information by red-eyed treefrogs for communication and antipredator defense. Belamarich award winner for the Most Outstanding Biology Dissertation at BU. Currently an Assistant Professor at Gettysburg College.

Justin TouchonJustin Touchon, PhD. (2002-2009) Developmental ecology and reproductive mode plasticity of a Neotropical treefrog: Interacting abiotic and biotic environmental effects over three life stages. Belamarich award winner for the Most Outstanding Biology Dissertation at BU. Currently an Associate Professor at Vassar College. Smithsonian “Meet Our Scientists” video interview of Justin “frog follower” Touchon.

MA students

MA student Ming Guo joined the lab in 2012, with a background in computer science. Ming studied how red-eyed treefrog embryos use vibration properties to discriminate between snake attacks on clutches, which induce premature hatching, and rain, which does not. She was co-advised by Profs Mark Crovella (Computer Science) and Greg McDaniel (Mechanical Engineering). Currently working in software development.

Postdocs

Ivan Gomez-Mestre (Postdoc 2002–5), now Staff Scientist at Estación Biológica de Doñana, Spain.

James Vonesh (Postdoc 2003–4), now Associate Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Michael McCoy (Postdoc 2008–9), now Associate Professor, Florida Atlantic University.

Venetia Briggs (Postdoc 2007–9), now Wildlife Ecologist, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research & Education Center

Justin Touchon (Postdoc 2009–2010), now Assistant Professor, Vassar College

Tobias Landberg (Postdoc 2010–2011), now Director of Research, The Amphibian Foundation