Erica Larson, PhD

Principal Investigator

When I look at biological diversity, I see dramatic variation in male and female reproductive traits. I want to understand how interactions between males and females - both cooperative and antagonistic - shape the evolution of reproductive traits and contribute to the origin of species. I am also an avid gardener and enjoy yoga, hiking, and camping in the front range. Follow me on Bluesky: @ellarson.bsky.social. CV

Email: erica.larson(at)du.edu Office: BW 302, (303) 871-3694

Pronouns: She/Hers

Alberto Lopez Aleman

Postdoctoral Research Associate

How does reproductive isolation evolve, and what are the causes behind this evolution? I utilize genomic data to try to contribute to research that aims to answer these questions. Outside the lab, you'll find me climbing, playing guitar, or coffee hopping.

Pronouns: he/him

Alyson Emery, MS

Research TECHNICIAN II and Lab Manager

I specialize in using next-generation sequencing to answer questions in speciation and conservation, with my main skillset in population genomics. I earned my master’s in Biology, Evolution, and Ecology in the Larson Lab, and I enjoy working on all stages of a project, from conception, to fieldwork, to library preparation, to data analysis. Beyond the lab, I spend my time gardening, painting, and exploring the outdoors.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alyson-emery

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6140-7396

Pronouns: she/hers

Mykaela Tanino-Springsteen, MS

Research Technician

I love entomological research! For my master's thesis, I studied the effects of global change stressors, including heatwaves and light pollution, on insects. I have also worked on numerous projects involving plant-insect interactions, parasitoids, predation, behavior, and more. 

ORCID - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1042-5470

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/mykaelatanino-springsteen

Isaac Hudson Foy

PhD Student

I am primarily interested in how reproductive behaviors can influence the genetics of a population. Why do individuals choose the mates they do, and how do those choices affect the species? I am joining the lab to work in the cricket hybrid zone.

Scott Melander

PhD Student

Hannah Eckert

MS Student

I want to explore the physiology of crickets within the hybrid zone, with a focus on how bioinformatics tools can be used to analyze genetic and physiological variation across populations.