Understanding Aquatic Ecosystems Across Time and Space
The Spanbauer lab is comprised of a diverse team of scientists at the University of Kentucky interested in how the environment impacts populations and communities over ecological to evolutionary timescales. We employ an interdisciplinary approach, fusing traditional paleoecological methodology with molecular and theoretical ecology.
Our recent work focuses on ancient environmental DNA analyses from lake sediments, allowing us to reconstruct past biodiversity. We also work with traditional paleoecological proxies and the synthesis of large-scale databases to identify broad patterns of ecological change. We work to bridge long-term paleolimnological records with contemporary monitoring data, providing crucial context for understanding current environmental challenges.
Since establishing our lab at the University of Kentucky, we are developing a state-of-the-art modular ancient environmental DNA facility, enabling the cutting-edge molecular analyses of degraded genetic material from sediment archives. This infrastructure positions us at the forefront of paleogenomic research and opens new avenues for understanding ecological and evolutionary dynamics across timescales.
We are currently recruiting undergraduate and graduate students interested in joining our interdisciplinary research program.
About Us
Meet The Team
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Former Team Members
Majoi Nascimento (2024-2025) Postdoctoral Scholar
John Dilworth (2024-2025) Laboratory Technician
Amanda Oeder (2023-2025 Undergraduate Directed Research, Undergraduate Research Fellow, Department of Environmental Sciences Honor’s Thesis advisee, Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Technician)
Emily Mielke (2023-2024 Undergraduate Directed Research, Undergraduate Research Fellow, Laboratory Assistant)
Spencer Matthews (2025 Undergraduate Directed Research
Abigail Sanders (2025 Undergraduate Directed Research
Phoebe Jackson (2024 Undergraduate Directed Research)
Samantha Krouse (2024 Undergraduate Directed Research)
Melanie Richards (2024 Undergraduate Directed Research, Laboratory Assistant)
Alyssa Armstrong (2021-2024, non-thesis M.Sc.)
Paul Martin (2022-23 Undergraduate Directed Research, Department of
Environmental Sciences Honor’s Thesis advisee, Laboratory Assistant)
Devin Wilson (2022-23, Directed Research, Laboratory Intern)
Mason Kolesar (2022-23, Undergraduate Directed Research,
Undergraduate Research Fellow)
Sophia Bender (2023, Research Technician)
Megan Ginther (2022-23 Undergraduate Directed Research, Undergraduate Research Fellow, Department of Environmental Sciences Honor’s Thesis advisee, Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Technician)
George Okoko (2021-23, M.Sc.)
Carson Montz (2021-23, non-thesis M.Sc.)
Alexander Horvath (2022, Undergraduate Directed Research)
Brendan Luurtsema (2022, Undergraduate Directed Research)
Hallie Web (2022, NSF REU)
Aaron Shultis (2020-22, Research Associate)
Amber Beecher (2020-22, M.Sc. co-advisee)
Mo Holley (2020-2022, non-thesis M.Sc.)
Corbin Kohart (2020-21, Undergraduate Directed Research, Undergraduate Research Fellow, Department of Environmental Sciences Honor’s Thesis advisee, Laboratory Assistant)
Elizabeth Vincent (2021, NSF REU)
Ariel Markus (2021, Undergraduate Directed Research)
Adam Price (2020-21, Undergraduate Directed Research)
Emili Aselage (2020, Undergraduate Directed Research, Undergraduate Research Fellow, Laboratory Assistant)