The Gunderson Lab - Tulane

Alex R. Gunderson, Phd

Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

agunderson@tulane.edu

Alanna Frick, phd student

I am passionate about urban ecology, ecotoxicology, and anthropogenic change. For my dissertation, I am studying the impact of lead on Anolis lizards in the southeastern U.S. I am a Certified Louisiana Master Naturalist and formerly worked as an educator at the Audubon Nature Institute. I am dedicated to science communication and outreach and improving accessibility in EEB.

Shannan Yates, Phd Candidate

I am interested in how anthropogenic change drives behavioral, physiological and genetic change across urbanization gradients. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of The Bahamas, after which I worked as a biologist throughout the islands of the Bahamas, engaging in general fieldwork with rock iguanas, Anolis lizards, land crabs and Bahama swallows. I previously worked as an Assistant Curator at The Bahamas National Trust and I am a Bahamian, originating from Jamaica.

syates1@tulane.edu

Allan McConnell, MS Student

I am passionate about organismal biology, macro-evolution, and ecology. I am interested in how we can use computer models to learn more about the ecological factors that shape competition and evolution of species. I am originally from New Orleans, returning after living in Galveston, Texas for 4 years where I worked at UTMB sequencing COVID-19 samples.

julie rej - phd

Julie did her PhD on the effects of species interactions on behavioral thermoregulation using empirical and theoretical approaches.

Annelise Blanchette - phd

Annelise studied the impacts of urban lead exposure on the Anolis lizards of New Orleans. She is currently a Biologist with the EPA in Washington, DC.

Jessica Valentine - MS

Jessica did her MS on seasonality in the temperature dependence of activity in urban Anolis lizards. She is currently in Vet School at Tufts University

Natalie Page - MS

Natalie did her MS on how urbanization affects the thermal landscapes that lizards experience. She is currently an Environmental Resource Specialist with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

Grace Gleason - MS

Grace studied thermal acclimation in the physiology of lizard embryos for her MS research. She is currently an Assistant Museum Curator at the Tulane University Biodiversity Research Institute.

Erin Sheehy - MS

For her MS, Erin studied how temperature influences body color change in green and brown anole lizards. She currently works at the Audubon Nature Institute.

Sean Deery - MS

Sean’s MS research focused on the ecological significance of differences in heat hardening between Anolis lizard species. He is currently an Aquatic Wildlife Specialist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

luGhán Ryan - ms

Lughán did research on plasticity in thermal preferences and temperature-dependent activity in the lizards Anolis carolinensis and A. sagrei for their Masters degree. They are currently a Steward at Barataria National Park.

Akhila Gopal, Laboratory technician

Akhila got her MS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Tulane and worked in the lab as a Laboratory Technician. She is interested in animal behavior, physiology, and plasticity in response to climate change. She is currently a PhD student in the lab of Dr. Mike Logan at the University of Nevada.

Daniel haro, laboratory technician

After getting his MS at Cal Poly, Danny worked in the lab as a Laboratory Technician. He is interested in physiological ecology and conservation, and is currently a PhD student at the University of Florida working with Dr. Christina Romagosa.