Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Dr. M. Denise Dearing
Distinguished Professor of Biology
Division Director, National Science Foundation
Education: Ph.D. Biology, University of Utah, 1995
M.S. Biology, University of Vermont, 1988
B.S. Biology, Eastern Connecticut State University, 1985
Contact: denise.dearing[at]utah.edu
Visiting Researchers
Dr. Franziska Beran
Hometown: Berlin, Germany
Education: Ph.D. Biology, Humboldt University Berlin 2011, Diploma in Biology Humboldt University Berlin 2006
Contact: fberan [at] ice [dot] mpg [dot] de
In November 2023, I joined the Dearing lab as a visiting researcher funded through a Feodor-Lynen stipend of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. I am fascinated by the complex adaptations that allow herbivorous insects not only to eat toxic plants but, in some cases, even exploit plant toxins for protection from natural enemies. My goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underly insect adaptations to plant toxins by studying closely related flea beetle species, which either detoxify or exploit toxins present in their host plants. In the past, we have identified and characterized several genes and gene families involved in flea beetle adaptations through the so-called candidate gene approach. Here, in collaboration with the Dearing lab, I use a broader approach to understand how different interactions of flea beetles with their host plants and natural enemies have shaped the genomes of these insects. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, and being in Utah, exploring the national parks is at the top of my to-do list.
Postdocs
Dr. Robert Greenhalgh
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Education: Ph.D. Biology, University of Utah, 2018
B.S. Biology, University of Utah, 2010
Contact: robert.greenhalgh [at] utah [dot] edu
When not whiling my days away in front of a computer, much of my childhood was spent hiking, camping, and exploring the American Southwest. The flora and fauna encountered on these outdoor excursions – and my parents’ keen interest in research and technology – led me to major in the life sciences as an undergraduate. A bioinformatics course in my senior year opened my eyes to the possibility of combining my passions of biology and computing, and I soon began my graduate studies investigating the genetic basis by which herbivorous mites circumvent the defenses of their plant hosts. I joined the Dearing lab as a postdoc in 2019, and my current projects include improving the genomes for two Neotoma species as well as the development of a bioinformatics pipeline to determine the plant components of an individual woodrat’s diet; these are part of a larger effort to better understand how environmental shifts and exposure to plant toxins shape the evolution and detoxification strategies of mammalian herbivores. Outside of lab, I enjoy building computers and audio equipment, walking around Salt Lake City and its many surrounding trails, and spending time with family pets.
Dr. Dylan M. Klure
Hometown: Highland, CA
Education: Ph.D. Biology, University of Utah, 2023 B.A. Biology, University of Redlands, 2018
Contact: dylan.klure [at] utah [dot] edu
My first research experience was working with Dr. James Malcolm at the University of Redlands in 2016 studying how woodrats that occur in deserts of the Southwestern U.S. are able to avoid heat stress through behavioral mechanisms. This research imparted me with a deep interest in desert animals, particularly in understanding what adaptations facilitate their persistence in in some of the harshest environments on Earth. I joined the Dearing lab in 2018 to continue my studies on desert animal adaptations. I defended my Ph.D. in 2023 and as part of my dissertation, I identified multiple genetic factors that enable woodrats to exploit toxic plants as food resources including the identification of several large-scale expansions of detoxification enzyme gene families. I am currently working as a postdoc in the Dearing Lab where I am leading additional comparative genomic studies on woodrats and on the invasive fox squirrel population here in Salt Lake City. I am proud alumnus of the NIH T32 Utah Training Program in Genetics. In my free time I enjoy camping, riding my Jetski, PC gaming, cooking and visiting the various breweries around SLC.
Dr. Maggie Doolin
Hometown: Marlborough, MA
Education: Ph.D. Biology, University of Utah, 2023
M.S. Biology, SUNY Oneonta, 2018
B.A. Biology, Hamilton College, 2014
Contact: margaret.doolin14 [at] gmail [dot] com
Website: maggiedoolin.weebly.com
I spent my formative years romping around the forests of the northeast catching frogs and salamanders, and generally falling in love with living creatures. My specific interests within biology were formed in my undergrad Parasitology course, and after a couple of detours working for the Student Conservation Association in Georgia and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, I completed a Master’s degree studying Acanthocephala taxonomy and systematics in upstate NY. I joined the Dearing lab in 2018 to work on parasite-microbiome interactions so that I could stick with my passion for parasitology and expand my research skillset. Currently, I am working in both woodrat and lab mouse systems to better understand how parasites affect the microbiome. Outside of the lab I enjoy hiking, playing recreational sports, and improving my sourdough game.
Graduate Students
Jack Jurmu
Hometown: Rogers, MN
Education: B.S. Biology, Bemidji State University, 2022
Contact: jack.jurmu [at] utah [dot] edu
When I was 10 years old, I identified Veterinary Medicine as my career which was the motivation for pursuing biology in undergrad. However, things took a turn when I joined the lab of Andrew Arsham using Drosophila melanogaster as a system to study gene function in novel gene duplications that regulate and maintain heterochromatin during larval development. This research experience showed me the vast swaths of unexplored territory and ignited the dormant scientific curiosity within me. I have had stints in other research labs doing biochemical and microbiological assays. I joined the Dearing lab in 2023 with the hope of broadening my research range and studying the underpinnings of toxin resistance in mammals. When I'm not in the lab I enjoy a myriad of sports including hockey, volleyball and disc golf, cooking, dog training, and anything to do with the outdoors.
Undergraduates
Noah Armstrong
Hometown: Helper, UT
Education: B.S. Biology, University of Utah
Contact: u1220939 [at] utah [dot] edu
For as long as I can remember I have been amazed by the beauty of the natural world, but it was not until my sophomore year of college that I knew I wanted to be a biologist. I joined the Dearing Lab in May of 2022 and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I am very lucky to be working with such a brilliant team of people, and I am looking forward to using my newfound skills as I continue my education in biology. My favorite ways to spend my free time are hanging out with friends and going on adventures with my girlfriend. My favorite hobbies are playing video games, reading, skiing, camping, and swimming.
Mascot
Pickles (in memoriam)
Hometown: Castle Valley, UT
Dates lived: 10 Sept 2014 – 28 Nov 2020
Born in captivity as an only child, our white-throated woodrat (Neotoma albigula) was destined to become a spoiled lab mascot. He’s based in glory since modeling for professional photographer Joel Sartore (above image is an example), who showcased pickles, along with many other charismatic animals, in the cover story of National Geographic’s April 2016 issue, “Every Last One.” Pickles thrived on consistent treats of snap peas, blueberries, and carrots after each peaceful daytime slumber. RIP Pickles!
Recent Lab Alumni and Current Position
Anastasia Varela - Undergraduate Researcher 2023 - Undergraduate student at University of Utah College of Nursing
Markell Kolendrianos - MCEB Graduate Rotation Student 2023 – Graduate student, Jorgensen Lab, University of Utah
Dr. Tess Stapleton - Graduate Student 2016 - 2022 – Scientist I R&D Genomics MPS, ARUP Laboratories
Dr. Sara B. Weinstein – Postdoctoral fellow 2017-2022 – Asst. Professor of Biology at Utah State University
Benjamin Cragun – Post-baccalaureate student 2021-2022 – Graduate Student at University of Alaska, Anchorage
Hannah Doherty – Undergraduate Researcher 2021-2022 – Undergraduate Student at University of Utah College of Science
Zahra Khan – Undergraduate Researcher 2018-2020 – Graduate student at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
Cameron Kohlschein – Undergraduate Researcher 2018-2020 – Graduate student at University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
Madeleine Nelson – Undergraduate Researcher 2017-2018; Lab Manager 2018-2019
Whitney Kenner – Undergraduate Researcher 2018-2019 – BioFire Diagnostics
Dr. Teri J. Orr – Postdoctoral Fellow 2015-2019 – Asst. Professor at New Mexico State University
Granger Cocke – Undergraduate Researcher 2018
Sydney Stephens – Undergraduate Researcher 2016-2018 – Biofire Diagnostics
Dr. Rodolfo Martinez-Mota – Postdoctoral Fellow 2016-2019 – Researcher at Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico
Dr. Patrice Kurnath – Graduate Student 2011-2016 – Asst. Professor of Biology at Colorado Mesa University
Dr. Kelly Oakeson – Postdoctoral Fellow 2014-2016 – Bioinformatician at The Utah Public Health Laboratory
Dr. Johanna Varner – Graduate Student 2010-2015 – Assoc. Professor of Biology at Colorado Mesa University
Dr. Katharina Schramm – Postdoctoral Fellow 2013-2015 – Scientist, ARUP Laboratories
Dr. Aaron Miller – Postdoctoral Fellow 2012-2015 – Research Asst. Professor at Cleveland Clinic
Dr. Kevin Kohl – Graduate Student 2009-2014 – Assoc. Professor of Biology at University of Pittsburgh