Lab Members
Assistant Professor of Plant Ecophysiology
Dr. Luiza Aparecido
I am a forest engineer turned plant ecophysiologist. My research focuses on the effects of global change, such as heat, leaf wetness, and herbivory stressors, on plant structure and function. I am lucky to have been able to conduct my work in exciting locations across the tropics, and now I am inspired by desert ecosystems -- natural and urban systems. In addition to my research, I am always happy to share my science through outreach activities (or anybody that is willing to listen). Being a good mentor is what drives me as a professor. My hobbies are hiking, reading, playing with our pets, and building puzzles. Proud to be Brazilian!
Postdoctoral researcher
Dr. Bianca Zorger
Bianca is an ecologist at the Univ. of Utah interested in the effects of climate change and anthropogenic disturbances in plants from individual to community level. Previously, her work has combined plant economic and physiological traits, especially hydraulics traits as descriptors of tolerance to stress and disturbance in a variety of environments in Brazil. During her master she studied the effects of drought and anthropogenic disturbance on the tropical dry forest. In contrast, for her PhD dissertation she explored not only the impact of precipitation fluctuations, but also the vapour pressure deficit and leaf wetting effects on tropical rainforest and montane grasslands. Now, as postdoctoral researcher, she will expand her skills exploring the hydraulic and thermal tolerance of plants to drought and heat of plants in native and urban areas of Utah and Arizona, USA. She was the first person in her family to conclude a course at a public University in Brazil. Now, she intends to inspire and create opportunities to other low-income students to access the University. She enjoys hiking, drawing, trying healthy recipes and spending time with her kid.
Postdoctoral researcher
Dr. Brad Posch
Brad is a post-doc at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. As an ecophysiologist, Brad’s research focuses on understanding the various ways that high temperatures can affect plants from the molecular to the physiological level. This interest began during his PhD project at the Australian National University, where he studied the thermal acclimation of photosynthesis and respiration in wheat under the supervision of Prof. Owen Atkin. This was followed by further work on photosynthetic thermal acclimation during a post-doc with Dr. Nick Smith at Texas Tech. Currently, Brad is leading an NSF-funded research project looking at leaf cooling strategies and thermal tolerance during extreme heat exposure, under the supervision of Drs. Luiza Aparecido, Kevin Hultine (primary mentor), and Ben Blonder. Outside of work, Brad enjoys watching movies, cooking, crosswords, and playing any kind of sport.
PhD Student
Rebecca Senft
Rebecca is PhD student in the School of Biological Sciences at University of Utah. Her research explores how climate change impacts plant physiology, with a specific interest in how invasive plant species acclimate to the abiotic stress that climate change causes. Additionally, Rebecca is passionate about community outreach. During her undergraduate degree, she led multiple events aimed at educating students about biological research happening on campus. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys the outdoors through activities like kayaking, backpacking, and climbing. Additionally, she keeps honey bees and chickens, which she had to transport across the country when she moved to the “beehive state”.
Undergraduate intern
Lucy Engar
Lucy is a first year undergraduate studying Plant Biology and Geography. She is passionate about the climate and learning how to protect ecosystems, and has a life-long interest and enthusiasm for science. She is super excited about getting more research experience, both in the lab and in the field. In her free time, she likes reading, climbing, hiking, and playing the piano.
Lucy is a Science Research Initiative (SRI) scholar within the College of Science at the University of Utah.
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Undergraduate intern
Sydney Gardner
Sydney is an undergraduate at the University of Utah majoring in Earth and Environmental Science. She has always been interested in the outdoors and nature, and she got her start by working and volunteering for AZA accredited facilities in Utah, which she does in her free time. She also loves skiing, traveling, music, and is passionate about public education. She hopes to be able to apply knowledge from the lab to encourage others outside of the college of science to get involved in the outdoors and climate solutions. She is most excited about field work for the lab, but is also looking forward to learning new skills in data analysis and programming.
Sydney is a Science Research Initiative (SRI) scholar within the College of Science at the University of Utah.
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Undergraduate intern
William (Tucker) Hastings
Tucker is a fourth year undergraduate studying environmental science with an emphasis on ecosystem sciences and Spanish. He is passionate about conservation, sustainability, and all forms of wildlife. He spends his free time hiking, taking photos, playing music, and reading. He is always excited to contribute to our research, in the field or in the lab.
Tucker is a Science Research Initiative (SRI) scholar within the College of Science at the University of Utah.
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