Klabacka Lab

at Utah Tech University
About Us
Who we are
  
Research
What we do
  
Opportunities
How we communicate
  


About Us

To see lab news, check out our blog

Lab Mission Statement

We better ourselves by creating cooperative, inclusive, and productive interactions. We better our world by conducting ethical, purposeful, and practical scientific inquiry.

Lab Goals

  • Make discoveries using evolutionary genetics involving species/populations and their complex traits.
  • Train students in experimental design and laboratory/computational skills to help them investigate scientific questions
  • Prepare students for career/educational opportunities by providing resources, mentorship, and empowerment.

Lab Members

Randy Klabacka (PI)

(CV) I love learning about evolutionary processes driving patterns in reptiles. I am an assistant professor at Utah Tech University, where I teach genetics and bioinformatics and lead research in functional genomics, population genetics, and evolutionary physiology. When I'm not teaching or doing research, I enjoy going on outdoor adventures with my family (especially to look for cool wildlife), playing sports with friends, and enjoying good company. more info at my personal website

Baylee Christensen

I am an undergraduate student at Utah Tech University, emphasizing in Bioinformatics. I am currently developing a bioinformatics tool focusing on permutational combinatorics of gene divergence between two populations, and I presented the tool at Evolution 2023! Some of my interests include finding rare/endemic plant species of the area, indoor and outdoor bouldering, and learning more about Python!

Alexander Everett

I study bioinformatics at Utah Tech University. My interests include medicine and pharmacology. After receiving my Bachelor's, I plan on pursuing a master’s and then Ph.D. with the intent on working in the pharmaceutical industry (focusing on oncological or psychiatric medicine). I spend my spare time writing creatively, having won an award for my poetry and my work performed by the Utah Tech Theatre Department.

Vicente Fernandez Lara

I am Vicente Fernández Lara, an international student on my sophomore year at Utah Tech University.

I am majoring in Biology with natural sciences emphasis.

Dustin Kolste

I am an undergraduate at Utah Tech and I am majoring in biology.

I am researching frogs and freeze-resistant proteins. My interests include anything outdoors, especially finding shed antlers.

Syrus Miner

I am Syrus Miner, a student at Utah Tech majoring in Biology with a Chemistry minor. I enjoy participating in various research opportunities to further my understanding of the sciences.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I love eating food (not made by myself) and being active.

Laisha Noyes

I am originally from a small town in Texas, but I am currently an undergraduate studying Bioinformatics at Utah Tech University.

My current research is on how phylogenetic distance and mapping success are related.

Angelina Romero

My names Angelina Romero I'm a General Biology Major at Utah Tech University.

Currently focusing on my pathway in conservation biology with bioinformatics. I hope to be able to do my future studies with marine life.

I particularly love doing wildlife research currently I am a part of the Whiptail research Team.

Dallin Matthews

I am an undergraduate studying bioinformatics, and I am currently working on two conservation genetis projects (captive desert tortoise population identification and the evolutionary history of non-native whiptail lizards). I am a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, and when I'm not hanging out with my family or studying I enjoy scuba diving, rock climbing, and jiu jitzu.

Rixon Doman

Hi! My name is Rixon Doman, and I am a Biomedical Science Major! I find my research interesting because of its real-world impact. Emerging technology in the field of Genetics can forever change the way we use medicine and understand different species. Thanks to K-Lab, I get direct exposure to this type of research.

Álvaro Osuna Jiménez

My name is Alvaro Osuna Jiménez I am an international student from Spain. My major is bioinformatics and when I graduate I would like to do a masters degree in the genetics field and be as good as possible to be able to help the more people possible with my job. I love to spend time with my friends and family doing any type of outdoors activity and also to play soccer.

Zach Christiansen


Lab Alumni

Angelina Romero

Brigham Young University, Hawaii Undergraduate

Reagan McKee

University of Colorado Computer Science PhD Program

David Bean

University of Utah Biomedical Informatics MS Program

Dante Celani

Candice Johnson

University of Kansas Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology PhD Program

Seun Onileowo

Erin Bunch

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