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 activiely 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 bulding 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

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

Current Lab Members

Dr. Maryam Noroozizarmehri
Postdoctoral Researcher
Jan 2023 – Present

Ph.D. in Plant Systematics, Kharazmi University, 2021     

Email   mnorooz1@utk.edu
Address    432 Hesler Biology Building

Eric Shershen
 Ph.D. Candidate
Aug 2019 – Present

B.A. in Biology & Environmental Studies, Augustana College, 2018      

Email   eshershe@utk.edu
Address    430 Hesler Biology Building

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. Student
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

Alex Dowd
Research Specialist & Lead Digitizer 
Nov 2023 – Present

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

Email   adowd1@vols.utk.edu
Address    113 Temple Hall

Amy Okafor
Research Assistant
Sept 2024 – Present
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2020 – Aug 2024

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

Shekinah Pobi
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2023 – Present

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB

Aspen Mazzatta
Undergraduate Researcher
Feb 2024 – Present

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration EEB

Emma Vaughn
Undergraduate Researcher
Aug 2024 – Present

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration EEB

Previous Lab Members

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

Lily Cooper
Undergraduate Researcher
Oct 2023 – Dec 2024

Major – Plant Sciences

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

Liz Halasz
Research Assistant
Jan – May 2024

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

Jack Kiernon
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2022 – Mar 2024

Major – Forestry, concentration Urban Forestry

Sarah Cleveland
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2022 – May 2023

Major – Plant Sciences, concentration Public Horticulture

Liam Cooley
Undergraduate Researcher
Mar - Dec 2023

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration BCMB

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

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

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

Tori Beard
Undergraduate Researcher
Sept 2017 – Dec 2018

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration Microbiology

Nate Kingsley
Undergraduate Researcher
Jan 2017 – Jan 2018

Major – Biological Sciences, concentration EEB

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

Sarah Wike
Post-Baccalaureate Researcher
Jan – Apr 2017

B.S., Catawaba College, 2016