Meet the lab

Mark Rebeiz (PI)

Gavin Rice (PostDoc) is working on the evolution of gene regulatory networks underlying morphological novelties. He started in 2017

Ben Vincent (Postdoc) is working on how morphological structures diversify at molecular and morphogenetic levels. He started in 2017

Stephanie Day, Lab Manager. Stephanie is studying the evolution of enhancer-silencer interactions at the ebony gene. Stephanie started in 2015

Brandon Small (Lab Technician). Brandon joined the lab in 2018

Yang Liu (Graduate Student). Yang is dissecting the genetic basis of a polygenic pigmentation trait. She started her thesis work in 2013

Sarah Smith (Graduate Student). Sarah is working on the connection between patterning of gene expression and morphogenesis in Drosophila genital structures. She started her thesis work in 2014

Eden McQueen (Graduate Student, E&E program). Eden is interested in the selective forces that cause genital structures to evolve so rapidly. She began her thesis work in 2014

Donya Shodja (Graduate Student). Donya joined the lab in May, 2017. She is working on the evolution of developmental organizers in novel genital structures

Aaron Novick is a PhD candidate in the Pitt History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) department. He is interested in the integration of evo-devo into the modern synthesis, and contributes to lab scholarly activities

Iván Méndez Gonzalez (Graduate Student). Ivan Joined the lab in 2018. He is studying the role of Hox genes in the evolution of Drosophila pigmentation patterns.

Alex Blanco (Undergraduate Researcher). Alex is working on the correlated evolution and co-option of genes during genital development

Jessica Shastay (Undergraduate Researcher) is working on the evolution of the genital trans landscape.

Leigh Coonelley (Undergraduate Researcher) is working on the behavioral function of variation in male and female structures

Kayla Downs (Undergraduate Researcher). Kayla is working on genetic determinants of organ size and shape

The lab currently has 2 postdoc, 5 graduate students, 2 technicians, and several undergraduate researchers 

Lab Alumni

William Glassford (PhD Student) 2011-2016 is performing postdoctoral work at Columbia University
Winslow Johnson (Lab Manager) 2010 - 2015 currently studying Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University
Alison Ordway (Lab Tech) 2012 - 2014  current Biology PhD candidate at Indiana University
​Rachel Pileggi (Master's Student) 2010 - 2012

Undergraduates
Hillary Serbin (2016-2018)
Natalie Dall (2014-2017) PhD Candidate, UC Berkeley MCB Program
​Margarett Farrell (2016-2017)
Shayla Williamson (2015-2016)
​Joe Tramontana (2014-2015)
Kristen Garner (2015)
Coleman Pinkerton (2015)
​Li Yi (2014)
Nisha Nanavaty (2014)
James Simons (2013 - 2014) MD Candidate, Saba University
Jaclyn Amurgis (2013 - 2014)
Thomas Pham (2011 - 2015) MD Candidate, Temple University
Ellie Frye (Summer/2013)
Ben Frank (2013)
Morolayo Alo (2013)
Kelsey Stayer (2010 - 2013) MD Candidate, Temple University
Chas Elliot (2011 - 13) MD Candidate, Case Western
Alison Ordway (Summer/2012) PhD Candidate, Indiana University
Angelica Escobar (Summer/2012)
Shaan Shadiq (Summer/2012) MD Candidate, Temple University
Corey Mele (2011 - 2012)
Kerry Hancuch (2011 - 2012) MS, University of Washington
Megan Anderson (2011 - 2012)
Steven Weiss (2011 - 2012)
Samantha Brecht (2011 - 2012)