People

Patrick Rohner (he/him)

Assistant Professor

I study how developing organisms respond to changing environments and how such developmental plasticity, once in existence, affects evolution on different time scales. I approach these questions primarily using dung beetles and black scavenger flies as model systems, although I work with various invertebrates. I am originally from Switzerland and speak German (well … Swiss German to be precise) and a little bit of French. When I am not at work, I like hiking and baking, and I am an avid listener of progressive house.

Sarah Britton (she/her)

Postdoctoral Researcher

I am a PhD graduate from the University of Arizona where I studied the adaptive value of melanin pigmentation plasticity in the white-lined sphinx moth. I am generally interested in the evolution of adaptive plasticity, from the genetic and molecular mechanisms to the ultimate explanations. I am using both dung beetles and black scavenger flies to investigate nutritional plasticity. In my free time, I like to rock climb, run, hike, and generally explore the outdoors.

Arunima Prakash (she/her)

Undergraduate Researcher

I am a third-year undergraduate student studying Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution with a minor in Marine Science. I am particularly interested in learning about how insect behaviors reflect and influence their changing environment, but I am passionate about the ecology and conservation of arthropods in general. With the Rohner Lab, I am studying the evolution of maternal care in dung beetles by looking at variation in offspring brood chambers. In my free time, I like clay sculpture, playing the flute, and making origami.

Gianna Meays  (she/her)

Undergraduate Researcher

I am a third year undergraduate majoring in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution with a minor in Marine Science. I will be studying melanin plasticity in the black scavenger fly (Sepsis neocynipsea) in response to different environmental conditions like nutrition and temperature. I am particularly interested in understanding how these flies have adapted as a result of climate change. In my free time, I love baking, running, and going to the beach!

Michelle Herrera (she/her)

UCSD Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow

Avi Khanna (he/they)

EBE PhD student

I recently graduated with a BS in Cell and Developmental Biology from the University of Rochester, and am now pursuing a PhD through UC San Diego’s BioSci EBE program. I enjoy asking questions about the environment’s selective influence on insects’ form and function, so I’ve found myself fascinated with the dung beetle-nematode system within the Rohner lab. In the past, I’ve also worked with paper wasps in the genus Mischocyttarus to answer questions about morphological plasticity. In my free time, I love exploring local habitats and putting my bug net to good use by filling out my iNaturalist sightings!

Ian Hicke (he/him)

Undergraduate Researcher

I am a third year undergraduate studying ecology, behavior, and evolution in the biological sciences department and education studies. I am interested in looking at insect communities and how they differ with native and non-native influences. I hope to become an educator to share my passion for biology to others. In my free time I like to read, crochet, and journal.

Andrew Flores (he/him)

Undergraduate Researcher

I am a third year undergraduate majoring in Environmental Systems on the Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution track. I will be researching melanin plasticity in black scavenger flies and how this trait evolves under various environmental conditions, including nutrition and temperature. I have a great appreciation for our natural world and hope to become a force for conservation. Other than that, I love playing video games and visiting cafes.