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

David Bean

I recently graduated with a BS in biology from Utah Tech University.

I am currently instructing biology II class while taking courses in bioinformatics and participating in bioinformatics research.

I am also applying to graduate programs in bioinformatics, computational biology, and data science.

Erin Bunch

Erin is a recent graduate with a background in biology and mathematics.

After taking a bioinformatics course as an undergraduate, she is now working on getting a Certificate of Bioinformatics.

She will be doing research on a mitonuclear genomics project in the lab.

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.

Reagan McKee

Reagan is a bioinformatics major who worked on the CatPop population genomics package (which tests for divergence between biological gorups while accounting for population structure) and taking a genomics approach to understand the evolution of a freeze-resistant protein in frogs.

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.

Seun Onileowo

I am a recent graduate with a degree in Bioinformatics, passionate about leveraging data analysis and computational techniques to drive advancements in genome analysis. Throughout my academic journey, I have honed my skills in computer science, and genetics, gained research experience in bioinformatics. I am eager to apply my knowledge and contribute to bioinformatics while continuing to learn and grow in this dynamic field.

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.

Lab Alumni

Dante Celani

Candice Johnson

Kasia Poulson

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