PI: Jenifer B. Walke, Ph.D.
I became interested in microbial and disease ecology as an undergraduate student at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. After working for a few years as a research technician, I started graduate school at Virginia Tech where I studied amphibian skin microbial communities in relation to disease. Following my PhD, I taught at Roanoke College as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Biology. From 2015 to 2017, I worked as a postdoc at Virginia Tech in both the Departments of Biological Sciences and Entomology, where I explored the microbiomes of amphibian skin and honey bee guts. In 2017, I began my lab at Eastern Washington University as an Assistant Professor. It is my hope that my research will contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and that my teaching will inspire others to do the same. In addition to teaching and research, I also enjoy spreading the love of science with elementary-age children, and in particular girls, through educational outreach. When I'm not teaching or doing science, I love spending time with my family and dogs in the outdoors.
Scientist, microscope, petri dish, computer. Drawing by a participant in the Science Museum of Western Virginia's Girls Science Camp, June 2016.
EDUCATION
2015 - 2017 Virginia Tech
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biological Sciences and Entomology
Advisors: Dr. Lisa Belden and Dr. Richard Fell
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2008 - 2014 Virginia Tech
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences
Dissertation: “The Structure and Function of Amphibian Skin Bacterial Communities and Their Role in Susceptibility to a Fungal Pathogen.”
Advisor: Dr. Lisa Belden
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2002 - 2006 James Madison University
B.S. in Biology with Distinction
Honors thesis: “Symbiosis in Salamanders: The Role of Cutaneous Bacteria in Disease Prevention.” Advisor: Dr. Reid Harris
Current Graduate Students
Macee Mitchell (NSF graduate scholar)
Talon Jost (GAANN fellow)
Hannah Kim (GAANN fellow)
Bailee Romaker (GAANN fellow, co-advised with Dr. Bo Idsardi)
Current Undergraduate Students
Marion George
Raegan Laycock
Former Students
Autumn Holley, M.S. 2023 (currently in PhD program at University of Tennessee)
Jennifer Perez, M.S. 2023 (co-advised with Dr. Bo Idsardi, currently teaching middle school)
Jonah Frago (currently in MS program at EWU)
Hanna McCoury
Krista Dodd, M.S. 2022 (currently in vet school at University of Florida)
Shelby Fettig, M.S. 2021
Philip Campos, M.S. 2020 (currently employed as a computational biologist with the USDA)
Allison Hayes (post-bacc)
Brenna Stafford
Louise Waite
Jillian Frampton (currently attending OHSU School of Dentistry)
Jonah Cwik (Turnbull Scholar 2020)
Thomas Trusky (currently attending WSU Pharmacy School)
Gabriela Maycumber
Angela Denton (currently attending University of Washington School of Dentistry)
Sam Gilson
Jesse Steele (earned doctorate in Physical Therapy)
Kyle Kramer
TianaJoy Kind (currently attending optometry school)
Daniel Franzese (currently attending University of Washington School of Medicine)
Shane Lucht
Taylor Morales
Doug Gourley
Katie Dinon (currently attending University of Washington School of Medicine's WWAMI program)
Hayden Jones (currently attending University of Washington School of Dentistry)
Kaytlyn Turner
Elizabeth Peoples
Mark Grigoryan
Rebekah Russel
Erin Ford