Principal Investigator
|
Dr. Ahvi Potticary is an Assistant Professor at Northern Michigan University. She is broadly interested in how new complex behaviors evolve, and how behavior impacts evolution. For more information on current and ongoing research, see the Research Interests and Publications pages. |
Graduate researchers
|
Ren Rooney is investigating how resource use evolves using the breeding substrates of Nicrophorus orbicollis as a study system. She is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Biology. Her interests include wildlife conservation and behavioral ecology, and she hopes to continue researching these topics post-graduation.
|
Undergraduate researchers
|
Mollie Haremza is investigating overwintering habitat for pollinators on campus and supporting laboratory and field efforts with Nicrophorus. Her major is Biology with a concentration in Ecology, with a minor is Outdoor Recreation. Mollie is the president for the Entomology club, which she has founded, developed, and organized. Mollie spent her summer pursuing a prestigious Undergraduate Research Experience working with the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida!
|
|
Hermione Morales joined the laboratory in Fall 2024 and will be replicating an experiment manipulating diapause behavior of Nicrophorus in the field and laboratory this coming fall. She is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and she hopes to specialize in population ecology.
|
|
Keaton Chamberlin is using citizen scientist data to investigate interactions between Nicrophorus and carrion flies. His major is biology with an ecology concentration. He is very interested in bioacoustics, and interspecies interactions. After receiving his bachelors degree, he plans to pursue a Masters degree. Keaton spent his summer pursuing a prestigious Undergraduate Research Experience at Rocky Mountain Biological Station!
|
|
Samantha Beebe secured a a competitive NMU research scholar position in the MacNair program. As a MacNair scholar Sammi has been investigating how competition influences parenting of Nicrophorus sayi. Samantha is starting her senior year is at NMU with a major in biology and with a concentration in zoology. She plans to continue on for a Masters and then PhD in animal behavior.
|
|
Lincoln Ramsdell joined the lab this summer and is assisting in field work at Wetmore bog as well as laboratory work. She is entering her junior year as an undergraduate with a major in biology and a concentration in physiology. Pictured here with chicken "Cluckerson".
|
|
Evan Widdis is studying biology with a concentration in zoology and he plans to pursue a PhD in ornithology after graduation. Evan spent the summer conducting field work to investigate the phenology of Nicrophorus across different habitat patches.
|
|
Faith Chase joined the lab this summer and has been assisting in field work at Longyear Forest collecting phenology and natural history data on Nicrophorus and other carrion beetles. Faith is entering her junior year as an undergraduate at NMU, studying biology concentrated in zoology.
|
|
Austin Lyons currently holds an Associate's degree in Liberal Arts and is pursuing a bachelor's degree at NMU. He is majoring in English and Biology with a special interest in genomics and all things micro. Austin has been assisting with laboratory work, including the care of multiple species of Nicrophorus and data entry.
|
|
Alyssa Tumminaro is studying biology with a zoology concentration and may pursue a minor in art and design. Alyssa is joining the laboratory this fall as a fellow of the Freshman Fellowship program. As part of her fellowship, Alyssa will conduct both field and laboratory work on several different species of Nicrophorus.
|
|
Veronica 'Ronnie' Jones is a Biology major with a concentration in Zoology. She has been helping the lab with Nicrophorus field work over the summer and is excited to learn new things in the lab as the weather gets cooler. She plans on attending grad school after finishing her undergraduate degree, and is fascinated by complex behavior and ecology. When not in the lab, you can find her mountain biking, climbing, or frolicking in the woods with her dog, miss Oliver Hippo, learning to identify new mushrooms and wild flowers.
|
|
Grace Robinson joined the research lab this fall and is excited to help assist with Nicrophorus laboratory work. She is a Junior studying biology with a concentration in ecology. She is planning on pursuing a masters degree after graduation.
|
|
Maya Gerenraich recently joined the lab as of fall 2025. She is studying Biology with a concentration in Ecology while pursuing a minor in environmental studies. Her interests include wildlife conservation, evolution, and birds of all shapes and sizes.
|
|
Chantel Gurak is studying Biology with a minor in History. She will assist the lab in conducting both field and laboratory work. She plans to pursue her interests in space exploration after graduation.
|
|
Josie Pardel is a junior majoring in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and a minor in Outdoor Recreation. She is assisting with burying beetle care and the implementation of the pollinator overwintering hotel project. Josie is also the Vice President of the Entomology Club.
|
|
Emma Starner is currently a junior at NMU studying environmental science with a concentration in hydrology and a minor in Spanish. She joined the research lab this fall and assists primarily with data entry and construction of pollinator boxes.
|
|
Karleene Maschke is studying Biology with a concentration in Ecology and a minor in English. She plans to pursue a Master's degree and eventually a PhD. Karleene is investigating the interaction between Nicrophorus and their phoretic mites and nematodes.
|
Past lab members
Olivia Foster
