Dr. Jason Pienaar

Principle Investigator

I am an evolutionary biologist primarily interested in comparative biology, tardigrades and fig wasps. In my lab we develop phylogenetic comparative methods that are consistent with adaptation; study cryptobiotic organisms such as mosses, tardigrades and rotifers in order to understand the evolution of cryptobiosis; and use game theory to model fig wasp behaviors and test our predictions with data from these organisms whenever we can get our hands on it.

Dr. Jesualdo Fuentes Gonzalez

Post doctoral fellow

I am interested in macroevolution, especially patterns linking morphology, life history, and behavior.  Uraveling these patterns requires the use of quantitative tools that can put phenotypic traits in the context of their evolutionary history. I aim to gain a good understanding of these tools, and am currently delving into phylogenetic comparative methods that are grounded on selective processes.

Caleb Turberville

Graduate student

I study the comparative biology of anhydrobiosis in bryophytes. I am also interested in science education outreach. In my free time, I like to watch Alabama football, read books (currently reading The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain and “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien), listen to music (The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, The Cure, and Johnny Cash), and hang out with friends. 

Sogol Momeni

Graduate student

I joined the Pienaar lab in Spring 2019 to study cryptobiosis in Echiniscus tardigrades and interactions with their mossy habitats. My background is in natural resources, environment and biology. For my master’s thesis I worked on Caracal, an endangered cat species from parts of Asia and Africa. My research interests include evolution, population ecology, conservation biology and wildlife management.
I enjoy spending time in nature, reading novels and working out.

Jacob Loeffelholz 

 Graduate student

I joined the Pienaar lab in the Spring 2020 to continue researching tardigrades. For my undergraduate thesis research at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville I investigated the effects of tornado disturbances on tardigrade populations. Currently I am exploring distributions of Milnesium, Echniscus and Pseudoechniscus spp. across the US Southeast, tardigrade-fungal interactions and cryobiosis (freezing tolerance). My hobbies include listening to music, mycology, astronomy and talking to friends and family.