Daniel S. Park Ph.D.
I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University. I study how the evolutionary history of species influences, and is influenced by, their ecological interactions. My research focuses on elucidating biogeographic and evolutionary mechanisms of biodiversity patterns in the context of contemporary global environmental problems, notably biological invasions and climate change, with the aim of illuminating how these disturbances affect plant diversity across rapidly changing landscapes. Drawing on the fields of biogeography, systematics, ecology, and evolution, and using big data, my work explores multiple facets of past, present, and future biodiversity to address the grand challenge of mitigating anthropogenic influence on the world’s ecosystems.
I am partial to plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae, but during my journey as a naturalist and scientist I have worked with everything from lemurs in Madagascar to giant knotweed on volcanic islands. My research combines fieldwork, labwork, informatics, and simulation approaches across diverse scales and systems, both empirical and theoretical.
Haley Flickinger
I am a PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Purdue University. I received my B.S. from the University of Kansas in 2018. I study how human-caused changes to our environment, such as plant invasions and climate change, impact the interactions between plants and insects at an ecosystem level. I enjoy field work and tend towards observational studies over experimental studies as a way to examine the full breadth of complexity present in the natural world. Whenever possible I also try to make use of the data and specimens that have been collected through history as there is great value in the knowledge we can gain from studying our ecological past. While I will always feel most at home in the wide-open Kansas prairie, I am forever amazed by the way the environmental variation of the world is reflected in the diversity of plants.
Jaein Choi
I'm interested in using plants as an indicator to assess biodiversity and ecosystem change caused by climate change and anthropogenic activities. I like to play electronic bass and piano, take walks, play badminton and read. Also, I love traveling to places with beautiful nature.
Justin Salva
I am a PhD student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Purdue University. I received my bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. My research interests revolve around invasive plants and their evolution - how invasive traits are conferred and how they can be identified, the phylogeny of invasive plants, and the management of invasives. When I'm not at my office desk or in the lab, I can be found reading a good fantasy book or playing video games while curling up with my cats (Nyx and Khannie), or alternatively you might find me out and about on a hike or at a cafe! I enjoy cooking, reading, writing, trying different coffee blends, playing music, and exploring our big, beautiful world!
Marisa Laitinen
I am a first-year graduate student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Purdue University. I received my B.S. from Michigan State University in 2023 and am now utilizing my past experiences to fuel my excitement and curiosity about plant phenology, specifically within the context of climate change.
Chingyan Helen Huang
I am an undergraduate majoring in Biology, though I am leaning towards a concentration in ecology and evolutionary biology. One of my most prominent interests is how the behavior of plants changes under stress. I love the great outdoors and often go out for walks and bike rides. My other hobbies include learning about other cultures, drawing, and settling down with a mug of tea and a good book.
Miranda Desmangles
Ay I'm Miranda. I'm currently working on a project in the Park Lab in which we are sampling a variety of thistle species in order to make discoveries revolving around environmental stressors and overall biodiversity. These samples aren't just for our lab but for many others as we will likely share our digitized sample photos for other researchers around the world. I enjoy gardening, drawing, sewing, Legos, reading, hiking, and video games and recently picked up crocheting again, but also find it important to spend time with friends and family. The hardest part is having that many hobbies with the usual college life.
Yingying Xie Ph.D.
Dr. Yingying Xie got her Bachelor and Master’s degree at Beijing Forestry University in China. Then she finished her PhD in 2016 at EEB department at University of Connecticut in the US. She worked as a postdoc at the Department of Geography in University at Buffalo during 2016 and 2018, then became a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Program in Environmental Sciences at Northwestern University during 2018 and 2021. Her research focuses on forest ecological responses to global environmental change from phenological perspective at multiple spatial scales using integrated approaches including field observation, remote sensing and statistical modeling. She is also actively involved in improving pedagogical knowledge and skills and applying active learning activities in college class teaching and learning.
Dr. Xie is now an assistant professor at Northern Kentucky University.
Edilene Pestana
I am a visiting PhD student from Brazil in the Biodiversity and Evolution Post Graduation Program at the Federal University of Bahia. I graduated in biology in 2016 and obtained my master's degree in botany in 2019 working with systematics and taxonomy of the red algae order Peyssonneliales. My research focuses on the evolution of marine red algae - I study phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of the group using molecular and morphological traits. I love being in nature, enjoying some fresh air, discovering new places, good food and the company of my family and friends. I like going to the beach, swimming, cooking and watching crime movies/series.
Lily Berry
I'm currently a senior in the botany and plant pathology department with a minor in environmental science and I'm interested in ecology and how plants interact with each other.
Lily is now a graduate student in the Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture at Purdue.
Hanna Thammavong
I am going into my final year as an undergraduate student at Purdue University. I am studying Biological Sciences with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I currently work as a barista and in my free time I love reading fiction books, cooking, hiking, and taking care of my houseplants. Other activities that I enjoy but can’t always find time for include kayaking, painting, and making digital art.
Rima Tulaiha
Hello! I am Rima Tulaiha and I am an undergraduate student at Purdue University. I am majoring in Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology with a certificate in medical humanities, and a fun fact about me would be that I grew up in Dubai. Some of my hobbies are reading true crime books, writing poetry, swimming, and drinking coffee!