Baum Lab
Understanding the origins and evolution of life on Earth

Former Lab Denizens

 

 

Baum Lab (Spring 2023); Front (L>R): Tymofii Sokolskyi, Camille Evin, David Baum. Back (L>R) Praful Gagrani, Justin Yang, Ronan Montgomery-Taylor, Keeley Kuru, Pavani Ganju, Esau Allen
Baum Lab (Fall 2022); Front (L>R): Tymofii Sokolskyi, Praful Gagrani, Pavani Ganju. Back (L>R)Justin Yang, Ronan Montgomery-Taylor, David Baum, Keeley Kuru.

Former Post-bac interns

  • Alex Plum (2020). Graduate student (Physics), University of California – San Diego.
  • Shawn Christensen (2018). Graduate student (Microbiology), University of California – Davis.
  • Noah Stenz (2016). Amazon.com.

Former Graduate students

  • Pavani Ganju (2024) — From Recursion to Functionality: Exploring the Origins of Life-Like Chemistry in Oligomer Systems.
  • Praful Gagrani (2023) — Mathematics of Evolving Ecologies in Chemical Reaction Networks and the Origins of Biochemical Life. Post-doc University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • Lena Vincent (2022) — A Chemical Ecosystem Selection Framework for Studying the Origins of Life-Like Chemistry. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  • Nisa Karimi (2018) — The Evolutionary History of the Baobab Trees. Post-doc University of Wisconsin – Madison.
  • Michael Berg (2017) — Chemical Ecosystem Selection for the Spontaneous Appearance of Collectively Autocatalytic Sets in Vitro. Scientist, Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc.
  • Alison Scott (2017) — The Evolutionary History and Polyploid Origin of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Post-doc, U. California – Davis.
  • Abigail Mazie (2016) — The role of BRANCHLESS TRICHOME in the evolution of stellate trichomes in the genus Physaria (Brassicaceae). Post-doc, U. Pittsburgh.
  • Pulikesi Chittu Rangam (2015) — Analysis of meristem identity genes LFY and TFL1 in the genus Leavenworthia.
  • Talline Martins (2011) — Anthocyanin pathway and the evolution of petal spots in Clarkia. Director Graduate Student Development, University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • Raul Correa (2010) — A transgenomic screen for identifying genes that contribute to species differences. Postdoctoral fellow, Baylor College of Medicine.
  • Ivalu Cacho (2009) — Ring species and biogeography of the pedilanthus clade of Euphorbia. Associate Professor, National Autonomous University of Mexico.
  • Maggie Hanes (Koopman) (2008) — Evolution of tribe Hibisceae (Malvaceae) on Madagascar and speciation in Megistostegium. Associate Professor, University of Eastern Michigan.
  • Stacey Smith (2006) — Floral diversification and pollination of the Andean clade Iochrominae (Solanaceae). Associate Professor, University of Colorado, Boulder.
  • Becky Oldham (2006) — Becky received her masters: Evolution of the epicalyx in Pavonia (Malvaceae).
  • Ryan Oyama (2002) — Pollination and speciation in native Californian Snapdragons (Antirrhinum). Research Scientist, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii
  • Lena Hileman (2002) — Floral symmetry genes CYCLOIDEA and DICHOTOMA and gene duplication and the evolution of stamen number in Antirrhineae (Veronicaceae). Professor, University of Kansas. Lawrence.
  • Dianella Howarth (2002) — Dispersal, speciation, and hybridization in Scaevola (Goodeniaceae) in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Professor and Chair, St. John’s University.
  • Chuck Davis (2002; primarily advised by Michael Donoghue) — Phylogeny, systematics, and biogeography of Acridocarpus and other Old World Malpighiaceae. Professor, Harvard University.
  • Rick Ree (2001; primarily advised by Michael Donoghue) — Floral diversity and phylogeny of Pedicularis. Curator Field Museum of Natural History.
  • Barbara Whitlock (2000) — Systematics of Theobroma and its relatives. Associate professor, University of Miami.
  • Weber Amaral (1998) — Floral development in Brassicaceae. Weber currently directs the Brazilian Center for Biofuels at the University of Sao Paulo.

Former Post-Docs

  • Ning Liu (2008-2009) — State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
  • Marek Sliwinski (2003-2005) — The role of LFY and TFL1 in the evolution of inflorescence architecture in Brassicaceae. Associate Professor, Northern Iowa University.
  • Maria Von Balthazar (2002-2003) — Phylogeny and floral structure of Bombacoideae and Malvoideae (Malvaceae s. l.) with emphasis on the androecium development. Senior Scientist, University of Vienna.
  • Mathieu Perret (2002-2003) — Genetics of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Sinningia (Gesneriaceae) and its role in flower color evolution. Conservateur, Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques Ville de Genève.
  • Verónica Di Stilio (2000-2002) — Genetic basis of sexual dimorphism in dioecious meadow rues (Thalictrum, Ranunculaceae). Associate Professor University of Washington, Seattle.
  • Ho-Sung Yoon (2000-2003) — The role of LEAFY in inflorescence evolution in the Brassicaceae. Associate Professor, Kyungpook National University, South Korea.
  • Alan Yen — Systematics of Malvales. Licensing manager, Boston Children’s Hospital.
  • Reto Nyffeler (1999-2000) — Systematics of Durio and its relatives. Curator, Institute for Systematic Botany in Zurich.
  • Guoping Shu — Comparative expression of LEAFY and APETALA1 in Brassicaceae. Manager, Beijing Lantron Seed Corp.
  • William (Bil) Alverson (1997-1999) — Systematics of Malvales. Lab manager, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
  • Elena Conti (1995-1996) — Phylogenetic relationships of Crypteroniaceae (Myrtales). Professor, Institute for Systematic Botany in Zurich.

Former Scientists/Researchers

  • Kweon Heo — Professor at Kangwon National University.
  • Kristina Jones — Director of the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens (WCBG) and Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences.
  • Jim Smith — Professor, Boise State University.
  • Noah Stenz — Programmer, Amazon.com
  • Megan Christensen — PhD student, University of California-Davis