People

Jennifer Lachowiec
Dr. Lachowiec studied Genetics at University of Wisconsin (B.S. 2008) and performed research with Dr. Scott Kennedy. During her doctoral work at the University of Washington with Dr. Christine Queitsch (Ph.D. 2014), she studied molecular mechanisms of robustness in evolution. From 2014-2017, Dr. Lachowiec studied the evolution of gene expression with Dr. Patricia Wittkopp at the University of Michigan. The Lachowiec lab was officially founded at MSU in 2017.
Outside of lab I like endurance sports--running, swimming, road cycling, and cross country skiing.

Fernando Correr
M.S. in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture - University of São Paulo 2017
Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture - University of São Paulo 2021
I have a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from the Federal University of São Carlos, a master's and a Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the University of São Paulo. Since my master's, I have studied gene expression in polyploid plants. As a postdoctoral fellow at Lachowiec's lab, my main objective is to evaluate genes potentially involved with camelina's resilience.

Gillian Reynolds
B.S. in Biology, University of Worchester
M.S. in Research, Bioinformatics, University of Worcheseter 2017
I am an individual interdisciplinary PhD student in computer science and plant genetics at Montana State University, where my supervisors are Dr. Veronika Strnadova-Neeley and Dr. Jennifer Lachowiec. My current research is focusing on developing computational methods that will facilitate large-scale identification of functional regions of grass genomes. My previous research has focused on a wide range of subjects including RNA-seq algorithm design, biological natural language processing, protein-function annotation and phylogenetics. My previous degrees, Bsc (hons) Biology and MRes Biology, were obtained from the University of Worcester, U.K. where I also developed my skills in teaching and student research supervision through several guest lecturing opportunities and a position as an associate lecturer.
gillian.reynolds@student.montana.edu

Erik Killian
B.S. in Environmental Science-Geospatial & Environmental Analysis, Minor Soil Sciences, Montana State University 2020
I completed a Bachelor's of Science degree in Environmental Science with a focus in
Geospatial Information Systems. I lead the lab's efforts to use remote sensing to
measure robustness in plants.
In my free time, I enjoy mountain biking, skiing, and climbing.
erik.killian@student.montana.edu

Jared Lile
B.S. in Plant Biotechnology, Montana State University 2020
After completing undergraduate research in the Lachowiec lab in Arabidopsis thaliana and barley, I have returned to MSU to pursue my PhD. I am co-advised by Jennifer and Jason Cook and will study genetics of wheat yield to facilitate breeding.
Aristea King
Miami University, Biology and Anthropology

Anapaula Astorga
I am a freshman pursuing a degree in biotechnology with a concentration in Animal System. I enjoy research and working in fields related to science. My current role in the Lachowiec Lab is to work in conjunction to Aishwarya Kothari and Dr. Lachowiec to study the effects of heat stress on durum wheat from Montana.
Outside of lab, I enjoy painting, drawing and outdoor activities.

Kira Falaschi
Outside of the lab I enjoy cooking, exploring new places, making art, and taking care of my plants.

Dakota Rygh
I am a sophomore studying Fish and Wildlife Ecology Management. In lab, I am helping to determine trait robustness in camelina, examining biomass and gene expression.
Outside of lab, I snowboard, backpack, run and do virtually anything else outside.