Kirsten M. Prior, Ph.D.
(she/her) Associate Professor, Binghamton University (SUNY) B.Sc., Western University Ph.D. University of Notre Dame Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto Postdoctoral Associate, University of Florida National Geographic Explorer BU Presidential Diversity Grant Awardee Provost Award for Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring SM Editor Ecology, Ecological Mongraphs google scholar research gate Kirsten's research interests include everything on this website. She also likes to hike, bake, knit, read science fiction, ski, and spend time with her family contact: kprior(at)binghamton.edu |
Graduate Student Researchers
![]() Alyson K. Milks, Ph.D. Student (2020 --)
(she/her) B.S., Environmental and Field Biology, Ohio Northern University Provost Doctoral Fellowship Aly's research examines how multi-trophic plant-insect interactions are altered under poleward range expansions. She is examining the capacity for parasitoids to shift to novel range-expanding hosts, along with how intraspecific variation in host plants affect interactions with phytophagous insects and parasitoids. Aly works with oak gall wasp-parasitoid communities in western oak savannas. Outside of the lab Aly enjoys creating ceramics, hiking, drawing, and exploring new places! contact: amilks1(at)binghamton.edu; twitter: @alymilks
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Undergraduate Researchers |
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John Burns, Biological Sciences, Music (he/him). John is working on an Honor's thesis on lion fish impacts on fish communities in Honduras, and working with Rosebelle on spatial patterns of dispersal
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Hunter Akins, Biological Sciences
McNair Fellow Hunter is working on an Honor's thesis describing the parasitoid community of a range-expanding oak gall wasp, using DNA barcoding. |
Taylor Allen, Biological Sciences
Taylor is working with Aly to uncover cryptic species of parasitoid wasps attacking a range-expanding host. |
Brett Robert, Biological Sciences
(he/him). Brett is working with Aly identifying parasitoid wasps. He is starting a project, uncovering the organ of a range expanding species. |
Sophie Tartar - works with Aly measuring oak gall wasp fitness and identifying parasitoid wasps
Isabel Tozer - works with Aly, extracting DNA from oak gall wasp for parasitoid detection in host tissue |
Field teams
Former Lab Members
(most recent known whereabouts)
Graduate Researchers
(most recent known whereabouts)
Graduate Researchers
Dylan G. Jones, Ph.D. 2023
B.Sc., Biology, Roanoke College; M.Sc., Biology, Montclair State University Graduate student excellence award in Research, Clark Fellowship Thesis: "Latitudinal gradients in diversity and interactions create high niche opportunities under anthropogenic-driven range expansions" Current position: Researcher, Environmental Protection Agency Rachel Chen, M.S. 2022
B.A., Biological Sciences, B.A., Environmental Studies (Ecosystems), Binghamton University (Expected 2021) McNair Fellowship, Environmental Studies Undergraduate Research Award Thesis: "Release from antagonistic interactions: biogeographical patterns in competitor-enemy interactions for a range-expanding insect across latitude" (link) Current position: Lab technician, Icahan School of Medicine, Mt. Saini Hospital |
Susan Lee, M.S. 2020
B.S., Environmental Studies, Binghamton University
Thesis: "Altered interactions for species on-the-move: a biogeographical comparison of host-parasitoid interactions between a species’ native and expanded range"
Current position: Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands
B.S., Environmental Studies, Binghamton University
Thesis: "Altered interactions for species on-the-move: a biogeographical comparison of host-parasitoid interactions between a species’ native and expanded range"
Current position: Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands
Lab Manager
Shannon Meadley Dunphy, McGill, PhD student
Undergraduate Researchers
Gabriella Bayshtock --- Sabina Bayshtock --- Julia Berliner, Univ. of Georgia, MSc student --- Megan Blance, Smithsonian Internship, Washington State University, MSc student ---Dudley Britton --- Melina Brunelli, Undergraduate in Biology lab at Binghamton Univ. --- Sage Daughton --- Lena Eder -- Chris Johnston, SUNY ESF, MSc student --- Haley Hurst --- Carly Gerth ---Serena Feldman -- Roni Friedman, Columbia University, MSc student ---Leslie Huang, PA school --Abby Hullihen, PhD student SUNY ESF -- Jesse Lofaso, Seran BioScience --- Sarah Martin, University of Buffalo, Master's of Urban Planning --- Tim Morris, SUNY ESF, MSc student ---Shayma Naryan -- Melissa Noboa, NYC Civic Corps --- Allie Radin, Lab technician -- Brandon Rinkavage, Medical School -- Kassidy Robinson --- Catherine Ruis, Stevens Institute of Technology, Master's student --- Jenna Ross, South Dakota State University, MSc student -- Wyatt Parker, Binghamton University, MBA student, Americorps --- John Santare ---Justin Santiago, One Plant NGO -- Will Smisko, field technician Western EcoSystems Technology Inc. --Kristy Tan -- Emily Tozer -- Tim Wong, Fordham Univ., MSc student
Shannon Meadley Dunphy, McGill, PhD student
Undergraduate Researchers
Gabriella Bayshtock --- Sabina Bayshtock --- Julia Berliner, Univ. of Georgia, MSc student --- Megan Blance, Smithsonian Internship, Washington State University, MSc student ---Dudley Britton --- Melina Brunelli, Undergraduate in Biology lab at Binghamton Univ. --- Sage Daughton --- Lena Eder -- Chris Johnston, SUNY ESF, MSc student --- Haley Hurst --- Carly Gerth ---Serena Feldman -- Roni Friedman, Columbia University, MSc student ---Leslie Huang, PA school --Abby Hullihen, PhD student SUNY ESF -- Jesse Lofaso, Seran BioScience --- Sarah Martin, University of Buffalo, Master's of Urban Planning --- Tim Morris, SUNY ESF, MSc student ---Shayma Naryan -- Melissa Noboa, NYC Civic Corps --- Allie Radin, Lab technician -- Brandon Rinkavage, Medical School -- Kassidy Robinson --- Catherine Ruis, Stevens Institute of Technology, Master's student --- Jenna Ross, South Dakota State University, MSc student -- Wyatt Parker, Binghamton University, MBA student, Americorps --- John Santare ---Justin Santiago, One Plant NGO -- Will Smisko, field technician Western EcoSystems Technology Inc. --Kristy Tan -- Emily Tozer -- Tim Wong, Fordham Univ., MSc student