The Arias Lab

Undergraduate Students

Sebastian Reyes - Programa de Biologia - Universidad de Caldas. Phylogenomics and biogeography of Lepanthes (Pleurothallidinae: Orquidaceae): a model genus to understand the evolution of Andean orchids. He main goal of the proposed research is to reconstruct the evolutionary history of Lepanthes to use it as a framework for a new taxonomical classification. Additionally, we want to understand biogeographic patterns that could explain their high diversification and endemism in the Colombian Andes.

Jeisson Chaux

Carolina Trujillo

Yulieth Rios

Graduate Students

Mailen Ortega – PhD. Biotechnology. RNA-Seq studies and selection assisted by molecular markers for the control of fungal pathogens transmitted in seeds. Vegetable pathogens are spread in seeds. The treatment of diseases is done with fungicides, but these pollute the environment and are toxic to living beings. In this work, we will look for candidate genes regulated during the pathogen-seed interaction. Also, SNPs will be called to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the attack of Arabidopsis seeds by Alternaria.

Martin Holguin - Universidad de Antioquia. Barcoding applied with metagenomics in fish

Present members from United States

Bethany Burns - University of South Florida as a PhD student in the integrative biology department concentrating on ecology and evolution. My goal is to understand the genetic basis of the spread of invasive plant species including Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) using a combination of herbarium specimen and field specimen.

John Gange - Molecular study on section Gymnadeniopsis. Author of book about New England orchids. Member of the review committee for the Native Orchid Conference journal. His photos have been used in several publishings (e.g. Demystifying Orchid Pollination), websites (e.g. Go Orchids), and publications. Best known for making many orchid identifications (over 113,000).