Avery Leigh Russell – Principal Investigator

Avery is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Missouri State University. He is a behavioral and evolutionary ecologist interested in how flexibility in foraging behavior shapes the ecology and evolution of plant-animal-microbial interactions. His current work focuses on how plant-pollinator reciprocal exploitation shapes foraging behavior, floral traits, and microbial associates.

View Avery’s CV
email: averyrussell@missouristate.edu
BlueSky handle: @DrAverbee
Post about us: #RussellLab @MissouriState @MOStateResearch #MOSResearch

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Jenny Burrow – Graduate Researcher

Jenny is a Master’s student in Biology who is interested in plant-pollinator interactions and insect behavioral ecology. They love all things nature (especially bugs!) and care deeply about conserving and protecting native pollinators and their habitats. In their spare time, they enjoy watercolor painting, hiking, and playing with their cats. After studying bumble bee foraging behavior and cognition during their Bachelor’s, they are excited to learn more about pollination ecology. Jenny earned their B.S. in Fall 2023 with a major in Wildlife Biology. 

email: Burrow214@live.missouristate.edu
Instagram: @jennyk.bee

Kaitlyn Pankratz – Graduate Researcher

Kaitlyn is a Master’s student in Biology. While her undergraduate research focused on plant systematics and ecology, she is looking forward to exploring how plants and their pollinators evolve together. She’s particularly interested in how bee preferences/behaviors shape floral evolution. Kaitlyn loves to both stay at home to sew and get outside to ID plants or watch bees, and has a goal to visit every National Park.

email: kqp49s@missouristate.edu

Kendra Edge – Graduate Researcher

Kendra is a Master’s student in MNAS. She wants to specialize in researching population management of endangered species and habitat restoration of endangered species along with how climate change will affect future generations. She has enjoyed learning about bees and wants to continue studying the roles they play in our ecosystem. She enjoys traveling, thrifting for antique/vintage items, and spending time with her family. Kendra earned her B.S. in Summer 2024 with a major in Wildlife Conservation and Management with a minor in Agronomy. 

email: ke82s@missouristate.edu

Tabby Moul – Graduate Researcher

Tabitha is a Master’s student in Biology! She is interested in animal conservation as well as studying ways to manage/preserve them! Tabitha still loves bees and wants to keep studying them! Tabitha earned her B.S. in Spring 2024 with a major in Biology and a minor in sustainability and a certificate in conservation law enforcement. 

email: Tabitha24@live.missouristate.edu

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Alaina Morrissey – Undergraduate Researcher

Alaina is an undergraduate student studying wildlife and fisheries biology. She loves the outdoors and all sorts of wildlife, especially insects. Her interests include insect diversity, behavior, cognition, and interactions with the environment. She hopes to get her Masters in entomology after graduating and continue doing research. In her free time she likes to hike, spend time with friends, and listen to music.

email: akm9587s@missouristate.edu

Joaquin Londres – Undergraduate Researcher

Joaquin is planning to go to medical school with the goal of becoming a general surgeon. His research interest is in how bacteria affect our environment. He plans to continue conducting research when he gets into medical school. His hobbies are running, working out, and volunteering.

email: jbl2s@missouristate.edu

Kris Lopez – Undergraduate Researcher

Kris is striving for his Bachelor of Microbiology and Biotechnology. His research interests include how fungi and other microbes interact and influence the environment around them. His future goal is to research the bioremediative properties of filamentous fungi. Outside of school, he enjoys foraging, hiking, and identifying mushrooms.

email: kl75s@missouristate.edu

Maev Winchester – Undergraduate Researcher

Maev is an undergraduate student researcher pursing a degree in Environmental Biology and Evolution, with a passion for mycology and native plants. Her long-term goal is to establish a career in habitat rehabilitation and endangered species protection. Within the lab, Maev is currently refining imperative skills relative to her field of study such as microscopy and plant identification.

email: mw435s@missouristate.edu

Nivetha Umapriya Srinivasan – Undergraduate Researcher

Nivetha is currently aiming to receive a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology. Her research interests include how viruses are able to alter the environment around them through their parasitic behavior. Her future goal is to research antiviral drugs and potentially test their efficacy, legitimacy, and safety. Besides being an absolute nerd, she loves to bake, go on hikes and sketch/ paint in her free time.

email: nu6s@missouristate.edu

Oscar Peterson – Undergraduate Researcher

Oscar is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Wildlife Biology. His research interests include crypsis, mimicry, and evolution. Oscar was previously involved in research studying the eastern red bat in Missouri. In his spare time, he enjoys all kinds of music, collaging, and spending time with his cat Mildew. He is also the current secretary of MSU’s Paws to the Polls!

email: np5563s@missouristate.edu
Instagram handle: @oscar_valentine

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Lab Alumni – Master’s Students

Success Ekemezie – Graduate Researcher

Success is a former Master’s student in Biology who is interested in the study of the multimodal cues that affect bumble bee foraging behavior and learning, and she loves reading novels. Success defended her MS thesis in June 2025.

email: sce247s@missouristate.edu

Rita Afagwu – Graduate Researcher

Rita is a former Master’s student in Biology who is interested in the study of the floral microbiomes of plants that are visited by pollinators. She likes to travel. Rita defended her MS thesis in October 2024.

email: rna974s@missouristate.edu 

Maggie Mayberry – Graduate Researcher

Maggie is a former Master’s student in Biology studying wildlife biology with a strong interest in high school education. She spends most of her time outdoors with her dogs, Princess Bagels and Mac Aroniandcheese. Maggie has a passion for learning about animals of all sizes. She’s un-bee-lievably excited to study bee cognition and behavior! Maggie is working on completing her Thesis writing while she builds her teaching career.

email: Mayberry21@live.missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @maggiebaymerry

Parker Campbell – Graduate Researcher

Parker is a former Master’s student in Biology who gets excited about all things outdoors. She is excited to get to keep playing around in the lab, and learning more about how the world works around her. She is specifically excited to learn more about both bee behavior and the bee microbiome and will keep polishing her microbiology skills and her budding interests in behavior and ecology. Parker defended her MS thesis in September 2024.

email: Fane23@live.missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @runnergirl_fane
Instagram: @parker_fane

Moth Castagna – Wildlife Biologist

Moth was the lab’s Wildlife Biologist in 2024 and managed our tallgrass prairie ecology research. He has always been interested in nature – especially how insects interact with the world around them. When not chasing bumble bees, you’ll find them practicing photography of native flora and fauna. He often spends his days off making art or curling up with his cats. Moth is expected to receive his Master’s degree in biology from Missouri State University after a break. 

View Moth’s CV
email: moth13@missouristate.edu
instagram: @_lavendercowboy_
Twitter handle: @Bombycoidea

Rachel Wilkins – Research Associate

Rachel received her Master’s degree in entomology from Kansas State University in May 2020. She is passionate about conservation and excited to learn more about plant-insect interactions. She will be researching how differences in anther morphology affect plant and bee fitness. In her free time, you can find Rachel outside playing with her dogs and chickens, collecting insects, or gardening! Rachel worked in the lab from Spring 2021 – Summer 2022 and is now the Kansas State Entomologist.

email: rvw@ksu.edu
Twitter handle: @rvw1234

Lab Alumni – Bachelor’s Students

Ashley White – Undergraduate Researcher

Ashley earned her B.S. in Spring 2025 with a major in Animal Science and a minor in Companion Animal Science. Her research interests include animal behavioral interactions, animal microbiology, and wildlife conservation. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, taking care of her bearded dragon Elton, and playing the guitar. She is also a current member of MSU’s Pre-Veterinary Club. Ashley worked in the lab from Spring 2025 – Summer 2025.

email: aw39s@missouristate.edu
Instagram handle: @ashleyy.white

Katelin Meek – Undergraduate Researcher

Katelin earned her B.S. in Spring 2025 with majors in Environmental & Evolutionary Biology and Paleontology and minors in Geology and Chemistry. Her research interests include plant-pollinator interactions and insect evolution. In her spare time, she likes to crochet, hike, and look after her plants. She is also the current President of the Wildlife Society! Katelin worked in the lab from Fall 2024 – Summer 2025.

email: Katelin4@live.missouristate.edu
Instagram handle: @katelin_meek

James Bynum – Undergraduate Researcher

James earned his B.S. in Spring 2025 with a major in Wildlife Conservation & Management. He is an undergraduate student who is fascinated by all natural phenomena. He is particularly interested in interactions between plants and pollinators, abiotic factors and flora, as well as humans with their environment. He hopes to study ways to protect ecosystems and the inhabitants that call them home. James worked in the lab from Spring 2024 – Spring 2025.

email: Bynum441@live.missouristate.edu

Leo Carpenter – Undergraduate Researcher

Leo earned his B.S. with Honors in Spring 2025 with a major in Environment & Evolution, while also minoring in chemistry. Outside of their studies, they find joy in activities like cooking, painting, and playing video games. Leo is particularly keen on delving deeper into the subjects of bee specialization and evolution! Leo worked in the lab from Fall 2023 – Spring 2025.

email: Carpenter456@live.missouristate.edu

Marco Russo – Undergraduate Researcher

Marco earned his B.S. with Honors in Spring 2025 with majors in Environment & Evolution and Wildlife & Fisheries Biology. His research interests are mostly about how we can help to conserve and preserve our bee species, but also their environment and how bees interact with that environment. Marco worked in the lab from Fall 2023 – Spring 2025.

email: mr825s@missouristate.edu
Instagram handle: @MrPixal27

Kierstin Howard – Undergraduate Researcher

Kierstin earned her B.S. in Spring 2025 in Wildlife Management and Conservation. She is a Resident Assistant in Sunvilla and the Vice Sustainability Commissioner for the Student Government Association. She is interested in exploring different research avenues and is excited to learn more about pollinators! Kierstin worked in the lab from Fall 2024 – Spring 2025.

email: kh499s@missouristate.edu
Instagram handle: @kierstin.howard

Ciara Stewart – Undergraduate Researcher

Ciara earned her B.S. in Spring 2024 with a major in Biology/Microbiology and Biotechnology. She is interested in dipping her toes in bee behavior research as well as advocacy for ecology and sustainability. Ciara enjoys hiking with her dog, playing guitar, and gardening. Ciara worked in the lab from Spring 2022 – Spring 2024.

email: Ciara8114@live.missouristate.edu

Charlotte Davis – Undergraduate Researcher

Charlotte earned her B.S. in Spring 2024 with a major in Wildlife Biology and Fisheries. She joined the lab to gain more hands-on lab experience while also fostering her childhood love of all things insects. Charlotte worked in the lab from Fall 2022 – Spring 2024.

email: Charlotte696969@missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @gnomeble

Krista Cockrum – Undergraduate Researcher

Krista earned her B.S. in Fall 2023 with a major in Wildlife Conservation and Management. Krista is an undergraduate excited to expand her understanding of bee behavior and ecology in the Russell lab! She is especially interested in exploring the relationship between bees and plants found within prairie ecosystems. Krista worked in the lab from Fall 2022 – Fall 2023.

email: klc89s@missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @krista_cockrum
Instagram: @lovecreatecultivate

Annaliese Novinger – Undergraduate Researcher

Annaliese earned her B.S. in Spring 2023 with a major in Biology and minors in Art and Sustainability. Annaliese is working toward an advanced degree in insect behavior. She is looking forward to learning about bee ecology and behavior. Annaliese worked in the lab from Spring 2022 – Spring 2023.

email: Novinger274@live.missouristate.edu

Carter Stoelzel – Undergraduate Researcher

Carter is an undergraduate who completed his honors distinction project on pollinator education in the lab in Spring 2023. His interests are all things wildlife and conservation, but he particularly enjoys studying pollination. Carter worked in the lab from Fall 2022 – Spring 2023.

email: Stoelzel7438@live.missouristate.edu

Abilene Mosher – Undergraduate Researcher

Abilene earned her B.S. in Fall 2022 with a major in wildlife conservation and management. Abilene is working in wildlife biology with interests in ecology. She is excited to learn more about bee-havior! Abilene worked in the lab from Fall 2019 – Fall 2022

email: Abilene703@live.missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @AbbyMosher1
Instagram: @spookyabilene

Haley Muse – Undergraduate Researcher

Haley earned her B.S. in Spring 2022 with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. Her drive is to help inspire peoples’ compassion for nature through a combination of art and research; she had her first creative piece published in 2020. Haley is excited to start playing adult simulator ver. 2.2, and is looking forward to completing achievements under the “Bee Gut Microbiome” quest with her teammates. Haley worked in the lab from Fall 2021 – Summer 2022.

email: Muse000@live.missouristate.edu

Katie Naumer – Undergraduate Researcher

Katie earned her B.S. in Spring 2022 with a biology major and chemistry minor. She loves hiking and being outdoors, and is excited to find out what the buzz is on behavioral ecology! Katie worked in the lab from Fall 2021 – Summer 2022.

email: Naumer0829@live.missouristate.edu

Kate Trebing – Undergraduate Researcher

Kate is an undergraduate studying microbiology with a minor in chemistry. Her primary area of interest is microbiomes and how they impact animals, especially bees! When Kate’s not in the lab, she loves to backpack in the mountains, cook new foods, and watch Jeopardy reruns. Kate worked in the lab from Summer 2021 – Spring 2022

email: Trebing8@live.missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @micro_forensic
Instagram: @katee.treb

Dalton McCart – Undergraduate Researcher

Dalton earned his B.S. in Fall 2021 studying biology. His interests are in rehabilitation ecology, conservation, entomology, botany, and marine sciences. Dalton is excited to join the Russell lab to explore pollinator behavior. Dalton worked in the lab from Summer 2021 – Fall 2021.

email: McCart42@live.missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @SaltyBiologist

Liam Wilson – Undergraduate Researcher

Liam earned his B.S. in Spring 2022 in environmental and evolutionary biology. His primary area of interest is behavioral patterns in animals, which he hopes will be furthered while working in Dr. Russell’s lab. Liam also really enjoys being outdoors, specifically northern regions, playing music in the MSU PRIDE band and has an almost obsessive love of penguins. Liam worked in the lab from Fall 2019 – 2021.

email: Wilson1999@live.missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @Simple_Liam
Instagram: law1wilson

Evelyn VanDenBerg – Visiting Undergraduate Researcher

Evelyn is an undergraduate student (visiting from Drake University) studying biology and environmental science. She is looking forward to learning more about pollinators and how interconnected the relationship is between the species richness of pollinators and the health of ecosystems surrounding them. Evelyn worked in the lab in Summer 2021.

email: evelyn.vandenberg@drake.edu

Vanessa Morales – Undergraduate Researcher

Vanessa earned her B.S. in Spring 2021 studying wildlife biology. She loves animals of all kind, and likes to observe and identify those she finds around her family ranch. Vanessa is especially excited to learn about the behavior and life of some of our planet’s smallest workers – bees! Vanessa worked in the lab from Fall 2020 – Spring 2021.

email: Morales98@live.missouristate.edu

Steph Sanders – Undergraduate Researcher

Steph earned her B.S. in Spring 2021 studying wildlife biology with a minor in biochemistry. She is very interested in animal behavior and training. Steph also loves bees! She’s been keeping bees for three years now and is excited to expand her adoration for bees by learning about their cognitive abilities as well as expanding her bee pun vocabulary! Steph’s buzzing with excitement! Steph worked in the lab from Spring 2020 – 2021.

email: Sanders98@live.missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @steffsandwich
Instagram: @steffsanders

Randie Rogers – Undergraduate Researcher

Randie is studying evolutionary biology and chemistry. She is fascinated with insects! She is ecstatic to research bees! She loves hiking and adventuring all around the country. Her hobbies include mushroom collecting in her hometown and identifying insects for all of her friends from poorly taken photos. She is currently taking a temporary break from her undergraduate studies. Randie worked in the lab in Fall 2020.

email: Rogers456@live.missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @Randsherm
Instagram: @randsherm

Faith Dall – Undergraduate Researcher

Faith Dall earned her B.S. in Fall 2020 studying biology with a minor in chemistry. She loves all things cute and small, including our lovely little bee friends! She’s excited to be able to work with live critters and learn new techniques in the lab! In her free time she likes to collect plants to add to her mini forest that’s slowly accumulating in my apartment (all plant cuttings welcome) *hint hint*. Faith worked in the lab from Fall 2020 – Summer 2021.

email: Dall2328@live.missouristate.edu
Twitter handle: @callmeDALLface