Our Team

Timothy Linksvayer is an associate professor in the School of Life Sciences. He studies the genetic, developmental and behavioral underpinnings of social insect colonies to understand how these complex systems evolve and function

I’m a postdoc in the lab, studying the developmental and genomic mechanisms associated with the evolution of obligate worker sterility in ants. More broadly, my research integrates fieldwork, wet-lab, and computational approaches  to answer fundamental questions about how complex phenotypes arise in nature. Prior to starting my postdoc, I completed my PhD at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, where I studied the genomic basis of convergent evolution in Strumigenys trap-jaw ants.

I am interested in exploring the biology of eusocial insects. A major hallmark of eusocial insects is the existence of a reproductive division of labor where one or a subset of colony members are capable of reproduction (referred to as queens or gamergates) and the rest of the individuals are either obligately or functionally sterile (termed as workers). Furthermore, these distinct phenotypes within a colony usually arise from the same genome in response to environmental conditions. I am particularly fascinated by how these divergent phenotypes arise from a single genome and the proximate mechanisms contributing to these differential developmental trajectories. Moreover, I am intrigued by how eusociality has evolved multiple times, independently across the tree of life. I will integrate developmental genetic, comparative genomic, and phylogenetic approaches to address these overarching goals for my research.

My name is Jessica Georegy! I am currently a sophomore undergrad majoring in Biomedical Sciences, excited to learn and explore the natural sciences through research. Currently, I am working on the Honeybee experiment where we are testing the effects of Rapamycin on the lifespans of honeybees, and trying to figure out if ovaries have any effect on them as well through dissection. (edited)

Kendrick's research interest is in behavioral constraints and their role in cooperation. His current projects are looking at thermal constraints in ants, and how that is reflected in their behavior and social interactions.

Eusocial insect colonies, who exhibit (i) cooperative brood care, (ii) a reproductive division of labour), and (iii) overlapping generations of highly related individuals, have evolved spectacularly sophisticated and diverse morphologies and ways of living. I am interested in understanding how gut symbionts, socially transmitted material, and diet affect different aspects of eusocial phenotypes like caste and disease resistance. I have a strong background in integrating microbiology, epidemiology, and behavior in these social insect model systems to study these types of interactions.

Hi, I’m Allina. I study reproduction and aging in social insects, and how individual physiology, genetics, and the social environment influence these traits.

Hi, I'm Joe! My research focuses on the developmental and evolutionary bases of caste-related polymorphism in ants. I am particularly interested in the evolutionary intersections between morphology, sociality, and ecological adaptation. I like long walks in the desert and looking for bugs under rocks.

Hi, I'm Fiona! I'm interested in researching ant colony behavior and how colonies maintain the proportions of caste populations. Currently, I'm working on the Overwintered Temnothorax Project with acorn ants. We are studying the brood laid before overwintering, which can produce queens, as opposed to the brood laid during summer, which only produces workers. (edited)

Hi, I'm Victoria! I am currently an undergrad student at ASU majoring in Biological Sciences. I love nature and learning about the world around us! I am currently working with Alina on her honeybee research project, where we are testing the effects of Rapamycin on the lifespan of honeybees. (edited)

Greetings! My name is Rahma, and I am a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences. I am on the pre-medical track, and the work I do with honeybees is guided by a wish to better understand—and even help advance—human health as a whole. Currently, I am assisting Allina in assessing ovarian aging in honeybees through proteomics. Beyond that, I harbor a years-long intrigue in the brain and behavior, both of which I aim to study in my progression as a researcher.

My name is Monica Torres, and I am an undergraduate student at Arizona State University pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences. I am passionate about expanding my knowledge in the sciences, which is what led me to get involved in research. Currently, I am involved in research focused on honeybees, where I dissect bee ovaries and brains to analyze the levels of specific proteins. Through this hands-on experience, I am developing technical laboratory skills and gaining a deeper understanding of research.

Hi, I'm Ayushi! I'm currently investigating how the Target of Rapamycin signaling pathway influences queen fecundity and lifespan in pharaoh ants. I am interested in how nutrient-sensing pathways regulate the trade-off between reproduction and longevity, and what this reveals about the physiological mechanisms in eusocial insects.