University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Dr. Maryam Noroozizarmehri
Postdoctoral Researcher
Jan 2023 – Present
Ph.D. in Plant Systematics, Kharazmi University, 2021
Email
mnorooz1@utk.edu
Vishal Kennedy
Ph.D. Student
Aug 2022 – Present
B.S.-M.S. in Biological Sciences, IISER - Kolkata, 2021
Email
vkenned2@vols.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. Student
Aug 2023 – Present
B.S. in Biology, Roanoke College, 2020
Email
ihildesh@vols.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
Liz Halasz
Research Technician
Jun 2025 – Present
Jan – May 2024
B.S. in Geography & Environmental Studies, University of Richmond, 2022
Shekinah Pobi
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2023 – Present
Major – Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB, Univ. of Tennessee
Aspen Mazzatta
Research Technician
Jul 2025 – Present
Undergraduate Researcher
Feb 2024 – Jun 2025
B.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee, 2025
Kevon Calloway
Undergraduate Researcher
Jun 2025 – Present
Major – Information Sciences & Africana Studies, Univ. of Tennessee
Millie Mancini
Undergraduate Researcher
Jun 2025 – Present
Major – Organismal Biology and Ecology, Colorado College
Benvy Kelly
Undergraduate Outreach Coordinator
Jul 2025 – Present
Undergraduate Field Assistant
Jun 2024
Major – Biological Sciences, concentration EEB, Univ. of Tennessee
Eric Shershen
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
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
