Principal Investigator - Cynthia Chang
Cynthia joined the UWB faculty in Fall 2014. She received her B.S. in Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland-College Park, Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University, and was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida and University of Washington-Seattle as a NSF Math and Biology fellow. Her research investigates 1) what are the roles of abiotic and biotic factors on plant diversity patterns over time, 2) why is this diversity important to ecosystem function, and 3) how will these plant communities respond to global change? To answer these questions, she has conducted research in tallgrass prairies at Konza Priarie LTER (Kansas), and now works on understanding plant succession on Mount St. Helens volcano (Washington), as well as applying ecological succession theory to restoration at the UWB North Creek wetlands. Cynthia teaches Introduction to Biology (BBio180 lecture and lab), Plant Ecology (BBio471 lecture and lab), and Investigative Biology (BBio495). Her classes emphasize hypothesis-driven scientific thinking and active learning.
Cynthia joined the UWB faculty in Fall 2014. She received her B.S. in Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland-College Park, Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University, and was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida and University of Washington-Seattle as a NSF Math and Biology fellow. Her research investigates 1) what are the roles of abiotic and biotic factors on plant diversity patterns over time, 2) why is this diversity important to ecosystem function, and 3) how will these plant communities respond to global change? To answer these questions, she has conducted research in tallgrass prairies at Konza Priarie LTER (Kansas), and now works on understanding plant succession on Mount St. Helens volcano (Washington), as well as applying ecological succession theory to restoration at the UWB North Creek wetlands. Cynthia teaches Introduction to Biology (BBio180 lecture and lab), Plant Ecology (BBio471 lecture and lab), and Investigative Biology (BBio495). Her classes emphasize hypothesis-driven scientific thinking and active learning.
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Research Technician
Colin Feng
I graduated from UWB with a degree in Biology and have been working at UWB since. I joined the Chang Lab in the Fall of 2017 and I am currently working on a project that focuses on how Arabidopsis react physically and genetically when they are drought stressed. You can usually find me in the lab or in the greenhouse looking after the plants. In my free time, I like to eat new foods, hang with my friends, and exercise.
I graduated from UWB with a degree in Biology and have been working at UWB since. I joined the Chang Lab in the Fall of 2017 and I am currently working on a project that focuses on how Arabidopsis react physically and genetically when they are drought stressed. You can usually find me in the lab or in the greenhouse looking after the plants. In my free time, I like to eat new foods, hang with my friends, and exercise.
Undergraduate Researchers
Camilo Acosta
I am currently a Senior at UWB majoring in Biology with a minor in neuroscience. My interests lie within the field of Entomology and seeing as insects and plants often go hand in hand, joining the Chang lab just made sense. Since joining in Summer of 2016 I have aided Dr. Chang in her community assembly studies on Mount St. Helens and have also begun my own study involving spider communities on the mountain. In autumn 2017, with Dr. Chang's help I was selected for the Mary Gates Research Scholarship in with which I will fund my project in summer 2018. Outside of school I enjoy hiking, reading, gaming and making digital art.
I am currently a Senior at UWB majoring in Biology with a minor in neuroscience. My interests lie within the field of Entomology and seeing as insects and plants often go hand in hand, joining the Chang lab just made sense. Since joining in Summer of 2016 I have aided Dr. Chang in her community assembly studies on Mount St. Helens and have also begun my own study involving spider communities on the mountain. In autumn 2017, with Dr. Chang's help I was selected for the Mary Gates Research Scholarship in with which I will fund my project in summer 2018. Outside of school I enjoy hiking, reading, gaming and making digital art.
Selina Chin
I am currently a senior at University of Washington Bothell majoring in biology and minor in chemistry. My friends recommended me to take the investigative biology with Dr. Chang, so I did in the fall of 2018. I worked with a group of students to study the Arabidopsis thaliana when in competition setting and learning more about the unPAK genotype, which has the kanamycin gene knocked out. I really enjoyed doing the experiments, so I continued the project the next two quarter of my final year. I worked with another student to study the different life stages of three different genotypes of Arabidopsis when in drought and how the plant would be affected. During my free time, I like to bake, hang out with my friends and family, going hiking, and playing games.
I am currently a senior at University of Washington Bothell majoring in biology and minor in chemistry. My friends recommended me to take the investigative biology with Dr. Chang, so I did in the fall of 2018. I worked with a group of students to study the Arabidopsis thaliana when in competition setting and learning more about the unPAK genotype, which has the kanamycin gene knocked out. I really enjoyed doing the experiments, so I continued the project the next two quarter of my final year. I worked with another student to study the different life stages of three different genotypes of Arabidopsis when in drought and how the plant would be affected. During my free time, I like to bake, hang out with my friends and family, going hiking, and playing games.
Sarah Davidson
I am a junior Biology-Environmental Studies combined major at Whitman College. I am from Woodinville, WA and grew up hiking in the Cascades and exploring the waters of the Puget Sound--both of which have sparked a lifelong passion for the outdoors. I am working with Dr. Chang in the summer of 2019 to research for my undergraduate thesis project and to further my understanding of plant ecology systems. In addition to my studies, I am a member of the Whitman College Swim Team, love to spend time with my friends and family, and particularly enjoy crabbing, shrimping, and fishing in the Puget Sound.
I am a junior Biology-Environmental Studies combined major at Whitman College. I am from Woodinville, WA and grew up hiking in the Cascades and exploring the waters of the Puget Sound--both of which have sparked a lifelong passion for the outdoors. I am working with Dr. Chang in the summer of 2019 to research for my undergraduate thesis project and to further my understanding of plant ecology systems. In addition to my studies, I am a member of the Whitman College Swim Team, love to spend time with my friends and family, and particularly enjoy crabbing, shrimping, and fishing in the Puget Sound.
Jackelyn Garcia
I am currently a second year at University of Washington Bothell hoping to major in Biology. I have always been interested in everything science, especially plants and the environment! During my first year here at UWB, I was able to recieve the opportunity to take many environmental science and biology classes, which had just further fueled my interest in learning more about the natural world. The moment I heard about Dr. Chang's research, I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the Chang lab. Currently, I am working with Dr. Chang to research epigenetic modification and phenotypic plasticity in plants in response to stressed and variable conditions, in hopes to gain deeper insight as to how plants adapt, especially in face of climate change. I was awarded a UW Founders Fellowship in 2018 and a UW Mary Gates Fellowship in 2019.
I am currently a second year at University of Washington Bothell hoping to major in Biology. I have always been interested in everything science, especially plants and the environment! During my first year here at UWB, I was able to recieve the opportunity to take many environmental science and biology classes, which had just further fueled my interest in learning more about the natural world. The moment I heard about Dr. Chang's research, I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the Chang lab. Currently, I am working with Dr. Chang to research epigenetic modification and phenotypic plasticity in plants in response to stressed and variable conditions, in hopes to gain deeper insight as to how plants adapt, especially in face of climate change. I was awarded a UW Founders Fellowship in 2018 and a UW Mary Gates Fellowship in 2019.
Kathryn Queen
I am currently a UWB Junior majoring in Biology with an interest in Conservation Biology and Ecology. Outside of my studies, the mountains and plants have always been apart my life, as a big mountain skier, hiking enthusiast and gardener the opportunity to combine these interests with academia could not be passed up. As a member of the Chang Lab I hope to bring enthusiasm and thirst for ecological study.
I am currently a UWB Junior majoring in Biology with an interest in Conservation Biology and Ecology. Outside of my studies, the mountains and plants have always been apart my life, as a big mountain skier, hiking enthusiast and gardener the opportunity to combine these interests with academia could not be passed up. As a member of the Chang Lab I hope to bring enthusiasm and thirst for ecological study.
Isabel Rodriguez
I am currently a junior at UWB majoring in Biology. I have always enjoyed science, especially environmental science so when I first learned about Dr. Chang's research through her BBIO 180 class, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to get a more in depth experience in the field. I grew up in Nicaragua, which is a tropical country that has been hugely impacted by the overexploitation of natural resources, so I am interested in learning more about how this type of research can be applied to situations like this. I am excited to join to Dr. Chang's summer research team for 2019. In my free time I enjoy to cook and bake, play tennis and hangout with family and friends.
I am currently a junior at UWB majoring in Biology. I have always enjoyed science, especially environmental science so when I first learned about Dr. Chang's research through her BBIO 180 class, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to get a more in depth experience in the field. I grew up in Nicaragua, which is a tropical country that has been hugely impacted by the overexploitation of natural resources, so I am interested in learning more about how this type of research can be applied to situations like this. I am excited to join to Dr. Chang's summer research team for 2019. In my free time I enjoy to cook and bake, play tennis and hangout with family and friends.
Kelby Van
I’m a senior at the University of Washington Bothell completing a biology major with a minor in neuroscience. I began looking at Arabidopsis in fall of 2018 while taking Investigative Biology with Dr. Chang, initially looking at how different types of drought affect the fitness of Arabidopsis and determining if the kanamycin gene plays a role in drought tolerance. Now I am looking at how the fitness of three Arabidopsis genotypes (unPAK, Columbia, and Landsberg) changes in response to drought at different life stages. With this project I hope to further my understanding of plant ecology and gain experience in statistical analysis because I am interested in pursuing a master’s degree in an ecology related field.
I’m a senior at the University of Washington Bothell completing a biology major with a minor in neuroscience. I began looking at Arabidopsis in fall of 2018 while taking Investigative Biology with Dr. Chang, initially looking at how different types of drought affect the fitness of Arabidopsis and determining if the kanamycin gene plays a role in drought tolerance. Now I am looking at how the fitness of three Arabidopsis genotypes (unPAK, Columbia, and Landsberg) changes in response to drought at different life stages. With this project I hope to further my understanding of plant ecology and gain experience in statistical analysis because I am interested in pursuing a master’s degree in an ecology related field.
Alex Wachter
I’m currently a Junior at UWB, majoring in Environmental Science. Growing up at the east end of hwy 522, I’ve always been exposed to logging and mining operations that often leave behind huge patches of heavily disturbed ecosystems. I’ve always been interested in the processes of how those environments regrow, so learning about Dr. Chang’s research on Mount Saint Helens was a perfect opportunity to explore that question! In my free time I enjoy hiking, volunteering with the WTA, gaming, and being with friends and family. I was selected for the Mary Gates Research Scholarship in with which I will fund my project in summer 2019.
I’m currently a Junior at UWB, majoring in Environmental Science. Growing up at the east end of hwy 522, I’ve always been exposed to logging and mining operations that often leave behind huge patches of heavily disturbed ecosystems. I’ve always been interested in the processes of how those environments regrow, so learning about Dr. Chang’s research on Mount Saint Helens was a perfect opportunity to explore that question! In my free time I enjoy hiking, volunteering with the WTA, gaming, and being with friends and family. I was selected for the Mary Gates Research Scholarship in with which I will fund my project in summer 2019.
This could be you! Interested in joining the lab? Check out the "joining the lab" tab...
Lab Alumni
Ahleena Chandler (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Mey Lee (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Connor Mack (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Khai Phan (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Reylene Pineda (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Seth Rierson (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Steven Truong (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Daviel O'Neill (Spring 2015 - Fall 2017)
Anita Higgins (Summer 2015 - Summer 2017)
Jaymar Golveo (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Noelle Cho (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Gabriela Leon (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Laurel Baum (Spring 2015 - Fall 2016)
Meerit Said (Winter 2014 - Spring 2016)
Erica Qiao (Winter 2015 - Spring 2016)
Stefany Sideris (Winter 2015 - Spring 2016)
Rebecca Kim (Winter 2015 - Spring 2016)
Elizabeth Nightingale (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Nicholas Vradenburg (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Sara-Beth Burkett (Spring 2015, Summer 2015)
Michael Locascio (Fall 2014 - Fall 2015)
Dalton Wheeler (Spring 2015, Winter 2015, Fall 2014)
Tanya Kumar (Spring 2015, Winter 2015)
Ahleena Chandler (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Mey Lee (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Connor Mack (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Khai Phan (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Reylene Pineda (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Seth Rierson (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Steven Truong (Winter 2018-Spring 2018)
Daviel O'Neill (Spring 2015 - Fall 2017)
Anita Higgins (Summer 2015 - Summer 2017)
Jaymar Golveo (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Noelle Cho (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Gabriela Leon (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Laurel Baum (Spring 2015 - Fall 2016)
Meerit Said (Winter 2014 - Spring 2016)
Erica Qiao (Winter 2015 - Spring 2016)
Stefany Sideris (Winter 2015 - Spring 2016)
Rebecca Kim (Winter 2015 - Spring 2016)
Elizabeth Nightingale (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Nicholas Vradenburg (Spring 2015 - Spring 2016)
Sara-Beth Burkett (Spring 2015, Summer 2015)
Michael Locascio (Fall 2014 - Fall 2015)
Dalton Wheeler (Spring 2015, Winter 2015, Fall 2014)
Tanya Kumar (Spring 2015, Winter 2015)