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

 

---

Carmela M. Buono, Ph.D. Candidate (2017--)
(she/her)​
B.S., Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Provost Doctoral Fellowship, Graduate Student Excellence Award in Service

Carmela's research examines how land use change and regional differences in ant species affect ant-seed dispersal mutualisms in eastern deciduous forests. She is also working on a meta-analysis on invasive species management.

Outside of the lab she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, painting, cooking, and crafting!

contact: cbuono1(at)binghamton.edu; twitter: @Carmelambuono

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

---

Rosebelle Ines, Ph.D. Student (2021 --)
(she/her)
B.S. Humboldt State University, Environment Science & Management

Clark Doctoral Fellowship

Rosebelle's research examines how intra- to interspecific variation in traits and behavior in a mutualist species-complex influences mutualistic outcomes. Rosebelle works on seed-dispersal mutualisms between ant and understory plants in eastern forests.

​Outside of lab, Rosebelle enjoys hiking, eating, playing ukulele, yoga and spending time with family and friends

contact: rines1(at binghamton.edu; twitter: @InesRosebelle

Christopher A. DeAngelis , Ph.D. Student (2023 --)
(he/him)
B.S. Biological Sciences, Binghamton University
M.A.T. Adolescence Education, Biology, SUNY New Paltz

Provost Doctoral Fellowship
Co-advised with the Powell lab

Chris previously worked in adolescent education, teaching multiple levels of biology. He is broadly interested in the ecology and evolution of mutualistic relationships between ants and myrmecochorous plants. In particular, he is developing projects on how trait variation in a mutualist species-complex shapes outcomes of mutualistic interactions. 

Outside of the lab, Chris enjoys golfing, hiking, listening to music, writing, stargazing, and spending time with his family.

contact: cdeange3(at)binghamton.edu

---

Catherine , M.S. Student (2023 --)
(she/her)
B.S. Biological Sciences, B.A. Environmental Studies, Binghamton University

Catherine's previous experience includes research on moth physiology, and aquatic invasive. Her research in the lab will explore the influence of human disturbance on the mutualistic relationship between ants and understory flowering plants. 

Outside of the lab, Catherine enjoys thrifting, drawing, listening to music, making jewelry, and drinking coffee!

contact: cfarre15(at)binghamton.edu

---

---

​Undergraduate Researchers

---

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

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

2023 Ant team: Rosebelle Ines, Julian Marshall (Summer Scholar Fellow), and Kathy Fridrich

2019 Team ant: Carmela, John Santare, Carly Gerth (missing: Catherine Ruis)

2019 Team gall: Dylan, Julia Kobelt, Katie Harms (missing: Kirsten, and Catherine Ruis)

---

2021 Team ant: Carmela, Rosey, Will

2021 Team gall (south): Kyle Skiver (NSF REU), Dylan, Aly

2017 Team gall: Kirsten, Megan Blance, Susan Lee, and Shannon Meadley Dunphy

2021 Team gall (north): Nick Planidin, Bryn Armstrong

---

Former Lab Members
(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

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
​