<\/h2>\nDr. Carla Hurt (Associate Professor, Biology)<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sites.tntech.edu\/hurtlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/119\/2019\/10\/Dr.-Hurt-pic-225x300.png\")
I am interested in processes of speciation and diversification and the implications that these processes have on conservation of biodiversity. Specific aims of my research include: 1) identifying taxonomic lineages and cryptic diversity, 2) reconstructing the phylogenetic history and geographic context of species radiations, 3) examining the ecological and developmental factors that promote and sustain diversity and 4) assessing the geographic structure of genetic variation within habitats. To address these questions, I employ a wide diversity of molecular tools including DNA sequencing and genotyping as well as next-generation tools such as transcriptome sequencing and reduced genome sequencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more about my research here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nStudents<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nZoe Wills – M.S. Student<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.tntech.edu\/hurtlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/119\/2024\/08\/Zoe_Wills-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMy research explores the interconnection of bats on faunal biodiversity within cave ecosystems. I will be researching in the Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee. By using molecular tools as an alternative to traditional sampling techniques, I aim to conduct biological surveys with reduced harm to the cave ecosystem. The data gathered will be compiled and used to make management decisions by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). I have a passion for conserving the environment and look forward to starting this new endeavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\nMiranda Gaupp – Ph.D. Student<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sites.tntech.edu\/hurtlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/119\/2022\/05\/gaupp_salamander_pic-225x300.jpg\")
Genomics approaches offer exciting opportunities to drastically improve conservation efforts through filling in knowledge gaps related to species ecology, gene flow, and genetic diversity. I am passionate about learning and applying genomics and bioinformatic techniques to answer ecological and evolutionary questions that are unattainable through field work alone. With that, I am excited to continue to play a part in conservation genomics efforts through my work in the Hurt lab. I received a Master of Science in Biology from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia after obtaining a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. I look forward to continuing my formal education through Tennessee Tech\u2019s Ph.D. program starting in Spring 2023. During my time at Tn Tech, I will be applying \u2018omics approaches to study the Tennessee Streamside salamander (Ambystoma barbouri). Specifically, I will be investigating population genetic structure and genetic diversity within and between populations of this species throughout its southern range as well as how these genetic components relate to environmental and landscape factors. Ultimately, this work will be in effort to inform and improve conservation management of the species in Tennessee.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\nJT Thompson<\/strong> –<\/strong> M.S. Student<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.tntech.edu\/hurtlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/119\/2023\/03\/image-768x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nI am an M.S. student studying the impact of urbanization and genetic diversity of the Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri<\/em>) using landscape genomics. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nJohn-Kaarli Rentof<\/strong> – M.S. Student<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.tntech.edu\/hurtlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/119\/2025\/02\/image.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nI am a master’s student at Tennessee Tech University studying the effects of invasive aquatic plants on biodiversity in the Tennessee River using eDNA metabarcoding and traditional sampling methods. I aim to assess how these plants impact native species and ecological health. With agencies in the Southeast facing increasing challenges in managing aquatic invasive plants, the results from this project will help inform adaptive management strategies and apply them to conservation efforts across the region. I am starting this work in the spring\/summer of 2025 and am very excited to have this opportunity to participate in this research! I am originally from New York City and got my B.S. in zoology from SUNY Oswego. While there, I worked with the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) project in New York State to detect invasive species using eDNA. I have also worked at Big Cypress National Preserve on the invasive Burmese Python tracking program. I am passionate about conservation and would like to continue learning how to use molecular ecology methods to monitor populations and overall ecosystem health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dr. Carla Hurt (Associate Professor, Biology) I am interested in processes of speciation and diversification and the implications that these processes have on conservation of biodiversity. Specific aims of my research include: 1) identifying taxonomic lineages and cryptic diversity, … Continue reading
I am interested in processes of speciation and diversification and the implications that these processes have on conservation of biodiversity. Specific aims of my research include: 1) identifying taxonomic lineages and cryptic diversity, 2) reconstructing the phylogenetic history and geographic context of species radiations, 3) examining the ecological and developmental factors that promote and sustain diversity and 4) assessing the geographic structure of genetic variation within habitats. To address these questions, I employ a wide diversity of molecular tools including DNA sequencing and genotyping as well as next-generation tools such as transcriptome sequencing and reduced genome sequencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more about my research here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n My research explores the interconnection of bats on faunal biodiversity within cave ecosystems. I will be researching in the Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee. By using molecular tools as an alternative to traditional sampling techniques, I aim to conduct biological surveys with reduced harm to the cave ecosystem. The data gathered will be compiled and used to make management decisions by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). I have a passion for conserving the environment and look forward to starting this new endeavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am an M.S. student studying the impact of urbanization and genetic diversity of the Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri<\/em>) using landscape genomics. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n I am a master’s student at Tennessee Tech University studying the effects of invasive aquatic plants on biodiversity in the Tennessee River using eDNA metabarcoding and traditional sampling methods. I aim to assess how these plants impact native species and ecological health. With agencies in the Southeast facing increasing challenges in managing aquatic invasive plants, the results from this project will help inform adaptive management strategies and apply them to conservation efforts across the region. I am starting this work in the spring\/summer of 2025 and am very excited to have this opportunity to participate in this research! I am originally from New York City and got my B.S. in zoology from SUNY Oswego. While there, I worked with the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) project in New York State to detect invasive species using eDNA. I have also worked at Big Cypress National Preserve on the invasive Burmese Python tracking program. I am passionate about conservation and would like to continue learning how to use molecular ecology methods to monitor populations and overall ecosystem health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dr. Carla Hurt (Associate Professor, Biology) I am interested in processes of speciation and diversification and the implications that these processes have on conservation of biodiversity. Specific aims of my research include: 1) identifying taxonomic lineages and cryptic diversity, … Continue reading Students<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nZoe Wills – M.S. Student<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMiranda Gaupp – Ph.D. Student<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Genomics approaches offer exciting opportunities to drastically improve conservation efforts through filling in knowledge gaps related to species ecology, gene flow, and genetic diversity. I am passionate about learning and applying genomics and bioinformatic techniques to answer ecological and evolutionary questions that are unattainable through field work alone. With that, I am excited to continue to play a part in conservation genomics efforts through my work in the Hurt lab. I received a Master of Science in Biology from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia after obtaining a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. I look forward to continuing my formal education through Tennessee Tech\u2019s Ph.D. program starting in Spring 2023. During my time at Tn Tech, I will be applying \u2018omics approaches to study the Tennessee Streamside salamander (Ambystoma barbouri). Specifically, I will be investigating population genetic structure and genetic diversity within and between populations of this species throughout its southern range as well as how these genetic components relate to environmental and landscape factors. Ultimately, this work will be in effort to inform and improve conservation management of the species in Tennessee.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nJT Thompson<\/strong> –<\/strong> M.S. Student<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nJohn-Kaarli Rentof<\/strong> – M.S. Student<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n