LAB MEMBERS
JAMES SKELTON
Principal investigator
I am from Michigan's Upper Penninsula (da Yoop) and earned a PhD in Biology from Virginia Tech. I study community ecology in aquatic and terrestrial systems. My research is about how symbioses affect the broader ecology and evolution of the organisms involved (Gogle Scholar link). I teach cIasses on aquatic ecology, statistics, and DNA metabarcoding. I also like fishing, home brewing, and goofing off with my dogger.
DARREN KIRKENDALL
MS Student
Darren has a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Conservation Studies from George Mason University. His project is using eDNA to study aquatic fungi in the Chesapeake Bay and the role they play in nutrient transfer. He is interested in many parts of biology but focuses his time on community ecology and aquatic ecology. In his free time Darren enjoys hiking, foraging for edible fungi, reading, and playing video games. After graduation he hopes to find a job with the state or federal government.
CADE KARMINSKI
MS Student
Cade is a Masters student originally from Warrenton, Va. He received a B.S in Biological Sciences from Virginia Tech, where he studied juvenile crayfish development and bioinformatics. He is interested in anthropogenic disturbance, invasive species and stream ecology. At William and Mary, he is studying environmental DNA and how isolation within a stream network influences fish community structure across space and time. When not working in the lab, Cade enjoys hiking and skiing, as well as fishkeeping.
ROSIE GEORGE-AMBROCIO
Class of 2025
Rosie is a Biology and Environment & Sustainability double major originally from Henry County, Virginia. Currently, she is interested in symbiosis, invasive species, and entomology. Her research is centered around the ambrosia symbiosis as she aims to uncover more about the mutualism between ambrosia beetles and ambrosia fungi to further understand their influence on wood decay. Outside the lab, Rosie enjoys reading and watching competitive reality shows.
Sophie Shand
Class of 2026
Sophie is a biology major with a minor in data science from Palo Alto, California. She is interested in ecology, molecular biology, and microbes. In the lab, she studies ambrosia beetles, a subfamily of the true weevil family that live in symbiosis with fungi and colonize dead or distressed trees. In her free time, Sophie enjoys reading, crafting, spending time in the sun, and listening to or playing music!
Colin Wang
Class of 2027
Colin is a biology major from Ellicott City, MD. He is interested in molecular ecology and hopes to pursue a career in industry or a government lab. At William & Mary, he is curating an environmental DNA database for freshwater sponge species in and around coastal VA. Outside of the lab, he loves playing tennis, watching movies, and hanging out with the Chinese Student Organization!
Alexa Busby
Class of 2025
Alexa is a Biology and Environmental Science double major from Cleveland, Ohio. She is working on her Honors Thesis in Biology in the lab investigating how environmental and anthropogenic factors influence salamander diversity and population size. Her project utilizes skin cell DNA to identify the species of stream-dwelling larval salamanders. She hopes her research can contribute to salamander conservation! Outside of research, Alexa enjoys hiking and paddle boarding.
Lab Alumni
MINDY SPENCE
MS graduate 2023
Mindy has a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a Biology Minor, as well as a B.S.in Psychology from Penn State. She is using environmental DNA to study anthropogenic effects on biodiversity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. She is interested in anything realted to environmental science or conservation ecology. She was also a social worker in mental health and drug and alcohol. Mindy is a distance runner and loves hiking. Her dream is to one day complete a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail, all 2,000+ miles from Georgia to Maine!
LAUREN SHERRER '24
Class of 2024
Lauren is a biology major with a minor in environmental science and policy. She is interested in conservation, invasive species, public outreach, and land management. Currently in the lab working with White Nose Syndrome. Outside of the lab she can be found searching for any animal that she can get her hands on.
GEORGIA THOMS '23
Class of 2023
Georgia is a biology and classical studies double major on a pre-veterinary track. She is part of Pointe Blank Dance Company, The Flat Hat newspaper, National Honor Society for Classical Studies, and Phoneathon. Outside of the lab, she loves reading ancient greek texts and volunteering at her local animal hospital!
ZOE HUTCHESON '23
Class of 2023
Zoe is a Biology/History double major interested in parasitology, invasive species, and their interaction with the surrounding environment. Originally from Alexandria, VA, Zoe can be found studying for GREs, hiking, and learning the banjo when not in the lab.
LAUREN FRENCH '22
Class of 2022
Lauren is a biology and environmental science double major from Frederick, MD. She is interested in microbial ecology, invasive species, conservation, and aquatic invertebrates. Her senior thesis will focus the diversity and distribution of aquatic fungi in the freshwater systems of Eastern Virginia. Outside of the lab, she works at a local yarn store and enjoys reading and hiking!
ALEXIS PEDRICK '21
Lab alumni
Alexis is a biology major from Richmond, VA. She is passionate about conservation, endangered species, ecology, water systems, and climate change and hopes to pursue a career in conservation after graduation. When she is not in the lab processing sponge samples, you can find her taking photos for the school fashion magazine or hiking with her pals!
