Cyathea Sm.
Dr. Amanda Grusz, PI
Associate Professor, University of Minnesota Duluth
Director, Olga Lakela Herbarium (DUL)
Research Associate, Smithsonian NMNH (US)
Dr. Grusz uses morphological, molecular, and cytogenetic tools to study organismal evolution and its role in generating biodiversity. Her passions span floristic and nomenclatural studies through to phylogenetics and evolutionary genomics, with a general focus on patterns and processes that drive diversification in seed-free vascular plants.
> Curriculum Vitae
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Research Associates
KATHRYN PICARD Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
Graduate Students
ROSA RAMIREZ
Ph.D. Candidate, Universidad de La Serena, Chile
(in progress)
MAXWELL BOTZ
M.Sc. Biology, Integrated Biosciences Program, UMN-D
(in progress)
AUSTEN HILDING
M.Sc. Biology, Integrated Biosciences Program, UMN-D
(in progress)
ASHLEY ZENZEN
M.Sc. Biology, Integrative Biosciences Program UMN-D (2021)
B.S. Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth
Ashley's thesis examined the evolutionary origins of Woodsia scopulina subsp. laurentiana (Woodsiaceae) using molecules, morphology, cytogenetics, and environmental niche modeling.
Undergraduate Researchers
ISABEL SMALLEY
Undergraduate Researcher, UMD
Isabel is a junior at UMD and a double major in Biology and Computer Science. Her fascination with plants is based in genetics, taxonomy, and ecology. In the Grusz Lab, Isabel is examining spore size variation and cryptic cytotype diversity in natural populations of Myriopteris covillei. Isabel is also a student technician in the Olga Lakela Herbarium (DUL).
BRIAR LENZ
Undergraduate Researcher, UMD
Briar is a double-major in Biology and Biochemistry at UMD. He has a strong interest in plant evolution, forest ecology, mycology, and ecological toxicology. Briar is also curious about identifying molecular synapomorphies among ferns to better understand their evolutionary relationships.
Emeritus Lab Members
Nick Weiss — Undergraduate Researcher (UMD)
Andrew Carlson — Undergraduate Researcher (UROP Scholar, UMD)
Cassidy Hill — Undergraduate Researcher (BURST Scholar, UMD)
Sarah Lysdahl — Undergraduate Researcher (BURST Scholar, UMD)
Jacob Martin — Undergraduate Researcher (BURST Scholar, UMD)
Noah Olson — Undergraduate Researcher (Research Intern, Smithsonian Institution)
Blake Fauskee — Undergraduate Researcher (UROP Scholar, UMD; REU Scholar, Field Museum, Chicago; Research Intern, Smithsonian Institution); NSF-GRFP awardee (senior undergraduate); Ph.D. Student, Duke University (matriculating fall 2019)
Patrick Fehrenbach — Undergraduate Researcher (BURST Scholar)
Amanda Vu — Undergraduate Researcher (UMD Pathways Scholar)
Ashley Marcuson — Undergraduate Researcher (UMD Bridges Scholar, Lake Superior Community College)
Seema Deodhar — Research Associate
Josh Horky – Lab Manager and horticulturalist extraordinaire
Join the Grusz Lab!
Interested in becoming a member of the Grusz Lab?
Contact: algrusz@d.umn.edu
