Lab Members

University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Principal Investigator

Dr. Jessica M. Budke Photo

Dr. Jessica M. Budke - Associate Professor & Herbarium Director (TENN)


Interested in joining the lab?
We are recruiting UTK undergraduate students to join the lab to work on research projects focusing on moss parent-offspring conflict. This includes the potential for skill building in histology, morphological data collection, molecular systematics, and fieldwork. If our lab seems like it might be a good fit for you, please send an email expressing your interest with your CV/resume and unofficial transcripts attached to Dr. Jessica Budke jbudke@utk.edu
We are not recruiting graduate students to join the lab at this time.

Lab photo 2026

The Budke Lab Summer 2026

From Left to Right: Emma Vaughn, Isabel Hildesheim, Ainun Nadhifah, Abraham Al-Sadoon, Shekinah Pobi, Millie Mancini, Jocelyn Pointer, Cameron Corbett, Jessica Budke, Katie MacLean, Bryan Espinoza-Prieto, and Aspen Mazzatta.

Current Lab Members

Dr. Maryam Noroozizarmehri
 Postdoctoral Researcher
Jan 2023 – Present

Ph.D. in Plant Systematics, Kharazmi University, 2021
M.Sc. in Plant Systematics, Kharazmi University, 2015
B.Sc. in Plant Biology,  Alzahra University, 2012

Email   mnorooz1@utk.edu

Dr. Cameron Corbett
Postdoctoral Researcher
Jun 2026 – Present

Ph.D. in Biology, West Virginia University, 2026
B.S. in Genetics, Clemson University, 2020

Email   ccorbet9@utk.edu
Address    430 Hesler Biology Building

Ainun Nadhifah
Ph.D. Candidate
Aug 2023 – Present

M.S. in Biology, University of South Florida, 2020
B.S. in Biology, Universitas Sebelas Maret, 2012

Email   anadhif1@vols.utk.edu
Address    430 Hesler Biology Building

Isabel Hildesheim
Ph.D. Candidate
Aug 2023 – Present

B.S. in Biology, Roanoke College, 2020

Email   ihildesh@vols.utk.edu
Address    430 Hesler Biology Building

Bryan Espinoza-Prieto
Ph.D. Student
Aug 2025 – Present

B.S. in Biological Sciences, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, 2015

Email   bespino1@vols.utk.edu
Address    430 Hesler Biology Building

Millie Mancini
Ph.D. Student
Aug 2026 – Present
Undergraduate Researcher
Jun 2025 – Jul 2026

B.A. in Organismal Biology and Ecology, Colorado College, 2026

Email   cmancin1@utk.edu
Address    430 Hesler Biology Building

Emma Vaughn
Research Technician
Jul 2025 – Present
Undergraduate Researcher
Aug 2024 – Jun 2025

B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2025

Email   evaughn9@vols.utk.edu
Address    432 Hesler Biology Building

Shekinah Pobi
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2023 – Present

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB, Univ. of Tennessee

Kevon Calloway
Undergraduate Researcher
Jun 2025 – Present

Major – Information Sciences & Africana Studies, Univ. of Tennessee

Benvy Kelly
Undergraduate Outreach Coordinator
Jul 2025 – Present
Undergraduate Field Assistant
Jun 2024

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee

Abraham Al-Sadoon
Undergraduate Researcher
Jan 2026 – Present

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee

Andrina Bridges
Undergraduate Researcher
Jan 2026 – Present

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB, Univ. of Tennessee

Jocelyn Pointer
Undergraduate Researcher
May 2026 – Present

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB, Univ. of Tennessee

Previous Lab Members

Lab photo 2025

The Budke Lab Spring 2025

From Left to Right: Emma Vaughn, Eric Shershen, Alex Dowd, Vishal Kennedy, Maryam Noroozizarmehri, Aspen Mazzatta, Isabel Hildesheim, Ainun Nadhifah, and Jessica Budke
Dr. Jessica M. Budke Photo

The Budke Lab Fall 2023

From Left to Right: Amy Okafor, Blakeney Jordan, Shekinah Pobi, Jessica Budke, Vishal Kennedy, Julia Butler, Isabel Hildesheim, Liam Cooley, Ainun Nadhifah, and Eric Shershen

Aspen Mazzatta
Research Technician
Jul 2025 – Aug 2026
Undergraduate Researcher
 Feb 2024 – Jun 2025

B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2025

Mo Liptak
Undergraduate Researcher
Nov 2025 – Aug 2026

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee

Katie MacLean
Undergraduate Researcher
Jun - Jul 2026

Major – Botany, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt

Liz Halasz
 Research Technician
Jan – May 2024; June 2025 - July 2026

B.S. in Geography & Environmental Studies, University of Richmond, 2022

Vishal Kennedy
Ph.D. Student
Aug 2022 – May 2026

B.S.-M.S. in Biological Sciences, IISER - Kolkata, 2021

Subsequently – Transferred to Dr. Paul Armsworth's Lab

Dr. Eric Shershen
 Graduate Student
Aug 2019 – July 2025

Ph.D., Univ. of Tennessee, 2025
B.A. in Biology & Environmental Studies, Augustana College, 2018

Subsequently – Postdoctoral Researcher at Ohio State University in Dr. Mandy Slate's Lab

Amy Okafor
Research Assistant
Sept 2024 – July 2025
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2020 – Aug 2024

B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2024

Subsequently – Medical Student at Yale University

Alex Dowd
Research Specialist & Lead Digitizer 
Nov 2023 – May 2025

B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2023

Subsequently – Grasslands Field Technician at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

Lily Cooper
Undergraduate Researcher
Oct 2023 – Dec 2024

Major – Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee

Blakeney Jordan
 Research Assistant
Jan – Jul 2024
Undergraduate Researcher
Jun – Dec 2023

B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2023

Julia Butler
 Graduate Student
Aug 2021 – May 2024

M.S., Univ. of Tennessee, 2024
B.A. in Biology, Oberlin College, 2019

Subsequently – Senior Staff Scientist at SiREM Lab

Julian Broughton
Computational Assistant
Feb – May 2024
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2020 – Aug 2023

B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2023

Subsequently – Ph.D. Student at Meharry Medical College

Jack Kiernon
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2022 – Mar 2024

Major – Forestry, concentration Urban Forestry, Univ. of Tennessee

Sarah Cleveland
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2022 – May 2023

Major – Plant Sciences, concentration Public Horticulture, Univ. of Tennessee

Liam Cooley
Undergraduate Researcher
Mar - Dec 2023

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB, Univ. of Tennessee

Susanna Diamond
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2020 – Dec 2022

B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2022

Haddy Salem
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2020 – May 2022

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB, Univ. of Tennessee

Alex Aromin
Graduate Student
Aug 2018 – May 2021

M.S., Univ. of Tennessee, 2021
B.S., Montana State Univ., 2016

Subsequently – Ph.D. Student at Texas A&M University

Katherine Whitaker
Undergraduate Researcher
Aug 2018 – May 2021

B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2021

Subsequently – Researcher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Nathan Pace
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2019 – May 2021

B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2021

Abygale Dixon
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2020 – May 2021

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration Microbiology, Univ. of Tennessee

Mark D. Wienhold
Research Specialist III
Dec 2016 – Aug 2019

M.S., Univ. of Connecticut, 2013
B.S., St. Cloud State Univ., 2010

Subsequently – Research Specialist at 490 BioTech

Dr. Nikisha R. Patel
Postdoctoral Researcher
Feb – Dec 2018

Ph.D., Univ. of Vermont, 2017
B.S., Univ. of Connecticut, 2012

Currently – Assistant Professor at Trinity College

Daniel Kirk
Undergraduate Researcher
Jan 2018 – May 2019

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB, Univ. of Tennessee

Tori Beard
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2017 – Dec 2018

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration Microbiology, Univ. of Tennessee

Nate Kingsley
Undergraduate Researcher
Jan 2017 – Jan 2018

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee

Subsequently - Seed Lab Manager at Lyon Arboretum, University of Hawaii

Sarah Wike
Post-Baccalaureate Researcher
Jan – Apr 2017

B.S., Catawaba College, 2016