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.

Ben Mathews (he/him)

Lab Manager / Research Assistant

I am a recent graduate of Bowdoin College working in the Rohner Lab as a Lab Manager and Research Assistant. I’m interested in studying the ability of economically relevant insect systems, such as black scavenger flies and dung beetles, to survive and adapt under various agricultural and abiotic stressors. During my free time I enjoy surfing, hiking, reading, and running.

Jill Walker (she/her)

Undergraduate Researcher

I am a third year undergraduate student at UCSD, studying ecology, behavior, and evolution in the department of biological sciences. I’m curious about the various consequences of the Anthropocene on our interconnecting biosphere. With the Rohner Lab, I will study the impact of ecologically relevant environmental conditions on the mortality, development, and reproduction of sepsid flies. I’m curious about how climate change and agricultural activity might have a collective impact on these fly populations. Outside of the lab, I love spending time with friends, going on runs, cooking, or making any kind of art.

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!

Juliana Loaiza (she/her)

Undergraduate Researcher

I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in Environmental Systems (Ecology, Behavior, Evolution) at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. My research interests remain broad, but I find plasticity studies and trait-based ecology to be most captivating. In light of climate change and anthropogenic activities, understanding plastic traits may help ecological and evolutionary models, restoration efforts, and other socio-environmental solutions. I am very excited to learn more about insect ecology and morphology with the Rohner Lab! Outside of school, lab, and work, I like to read, go camping, snorkel, and hang out with my friends.

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.