Curriculum Vitae (Updated 4/12/2018)
Zachary David Blount
Michigan State University
567 Wilson Rd., Rm. 6140 BPS 
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-884-5377
blountza (at) msu.edu
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Education and Training
2011 – Present          
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Mentor: Dr. Richard E. Lenski
 
2003 – 2011               
Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Mentor: Dr. Richard E. Lenski
Committee: Dr. Terence Marsh, Dr. Robert Pennock, Dr. Thomas Schmidt
Dissertation: The Evolution of a Key Innovation in an Experimental Population of Escherichia coli:  A Tale of Opportunity, Contingency, and Co-option”. Defended March 16, 2011. 

2000 – 2003               
M.S. in Biological Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio         
Mentor:  Dennis W. Grogan, Ph.D.
Thesis: Isolation and Characterization of Insertion Sequence Elements from Natural Isolates of the Hyperthemophilic Archaeon Sulfolobus

1995 – 1999:              
B.S. in Applied Biology, with High Honor
Minors:  Health Sciences, History, Personality/Social Psychology, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology
School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
Advisor: Yury Chernoff


Research Interests
Experimental Evolution, Evolutionary Contingency, Evolutionary Novelty, Novel Traits, Speciation, Niche Discovery, Evolutionary Potential
Publications
  • Bajić D, Vila JCC, Blount ZD, Sánchez A. On the deformability of an empirical fitness landscape by microbial evolution. Submitted, April 2018.
  • Blount ZD, Losos JB & Lenski RE. Contingency and Determinism in Evolution: ‘Replaying the Tape of Life’. Science. Submitted, January 2018.
  • Blount ZD (2017). “Replaying Evolution.” American Scientist, 105: 157 – 165.
  • Blount ZD (2016). History’s Windings in a Flask:  Microbial Experiments into Evolutionary Contingency. Pp. 244 – 263 in Ramsey G and Pence C (ed.) Chance and Evolution, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
  • Blount ZD (2016). Bacterial Evolution. Pp.97 – 101 in Marsh TL and Viswanathan P Introductory Laboratory for General and Allied Health Microbiology, MMG 302. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Internal publication.
  • Blount ZD (2016). A Case Study in Evolutionary Contingency.  Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, 58: 82 – 92.
  • Lenski RE, Wiser MJ, Ribeck N, Blount ZD, Nahum JR, Morris JJ, Zaman L, Turner CB, Wade BD, Maddamsetti R, Burmeister AR, Baird EJ, Bundy J, Grant N, Card KJ, Rowles M, Weatherspoon K, Papoulis SE, Sullivan R, Clark C, Mulka JS, Hajela N (2015). Sustained Fitness Gains and Variability in Fitness Trajectories in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 282: 20152292.
  • Turner CB, Blount ZD, Lenski RE (2015). Replaying Evolution to Test the Cause of Extinction of One Ecotype in an Experimentally Evolved Population. PLoS One, 10: e0142050.
  • Quandt EM, Gollihar J, Blount ZD, Ellington AD, Georgiou G, Barrick JE (2015). Fine-Tuning Citrate Synthase Flux Potentiates and Refines Evolution of a Metabolic Innovation in Escherichia coli. eLife 2015;10.7554/eLife.09696
  • Blount ZD (2015). “The Unexhausted Potential of E. coli”. eLife 2015;4:e05826.
    • ​Invited review
    • 63 citations as of 4/12/2018
  • Blount ZD, Barrick JE, Davidson CJ, Lenski RE (2012). Genomic Analysis of a Key Innovation in an Experimental E. coli Population.  Nature, 489:  513 – 518. 
    • 331 citations as of 4/12/2018
    • Faculty of 1000 recommendation
    • Listed on Science News top 25 science stories of 2012.
  • Blount ZD, Borland CZ, Lenski RE (2008).  Historical Contingency and the Evolution of a Key Innovation in an Experimental Population of Escherichia coli.   Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), 105(23):  7899 - 7906.
    • 589 citations as of 4/12/2018
    • Faculty of 1000 recommendation.
  • Blount ZD, Grogan DW (2005). New Insertion Sequences of Sulfolobus:  Functional Properties and Implications for Genome Evolution in Hyperthemophilic Archaea.  Molecular Microbiology, 55:  312 – 325.
  • Blount ZD, Grogan DW (2002).  Laboratory Exercises for Microbiology:  Biology 552.  Cincinnati, OH:  University of Cincinnati Department of Biological Sciences, Internal Publication.
Publications in Preparation
  • Blount ZD & Lenski RE. Ecological Specialization and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli.
  • Blount ZD, Maddamsetti R, Quandt EM, Jagdish T, Barrick JE & Lenski RE. Adaptation of E. coli to a citrate-only resource environment.
  • Turner CB, Blount ZD, Mitchell DH & Lenski RE. Evolution and Coexistence in Response to a Key Innovation in a Long-term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli.
  • Leeds MP, Koolage WJ, Berling EW, & Blount ZD. Science Needs Philosophy.
  • Jagdish T, Blount ZD, Kauth M, Grant N, Card K, Morris JJ & Lenski RE. The Deep Genetic Basis of Aerobic Citrate Utilization in an Experimental Population of E. coli.

Invited Talks
  • “A Big Ball of Evolvey-Wolvey Stuff: The Interplay of Ecology, Physiology, Evolution, Innovation, and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli” (2017). Kenyon College Department of Biological Sciences Seminar Series, Gambier, Ohio.
  • "The E. coli Long-Term Evolution Experiment 66,000 Generations (And Counting) of Evolution in Action" (2016). UW Oshkosh Biology and Microbiology Journal Club Seminar Series, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
  •  “Richard E. Lenski: The Man, the Career, the Legend, and His Place in Science” (2016). Keynote Address, BEACON Congress Symposium in Honor of Richard Lenski’s 60th Birthday, East Lansing, Michigan.
  • “Ecological Specialization and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of Escherichia coli (The Cit+ Story is Even More Complicated than We Thought)” (2016). EvoAct: Evolution in Action with Living and Artificial Organisms, Autrans, France.
  • “Examining the Evolution of a Novel Trait in a Long-Term Experiment with E. coli” (2014).  Invited Speaker, National Association of Biology Teachers Professional Development Conference, Cleveland, Ohio.
  •  “Historical Contingency and the E. coli Long-Term Evolution Experiment” (2012).  ALife 13, East Lansing, Michigan.
  • “The Evolution of Aerobic Citrate Utilization in an Experimental Population of E. coli:  A Case Study in Evolutionary Contingency.” (2013)  Templeton Foundation Workshop on Order and Contingency in Science and the Humanities.  Oxford, United Kingdom.
  • “Watching Evolution Innovate in the Lab” (2011). Santa Fe Institute Workshop on Innovation, San Jose, California.
  • “History 200:  Darwin, E. coli, and Evolution” (2009).  Science University for Alumni of the MSU College of Natural Sciences, East Lansing, Michigan.

Contributed Presentations
Posters
  • ​Blount, ZD, Weatherspoon KM, Rowles MO, Sommerfeld BA, Turner CB, Lenski RE (2017). Learning to Walk and Chew Gum at the Same Time: The Complexities of Incipient Speciation by a Citrate-Using Lineage of E. coli. BEACON Congress, East Lansing, Michigan.
  • Blount, ZD, Weatherspoon KM, Rowles MO, Sommerfeld BA, Turner CB, Lenski RE (2017). Learning to Walk and Chew Gum at the Same Time: The Complexities of Incipient Speciation by a Citrate-Using Lineage of E. coli. Gordon Research Seminar, Andover, New Hampshire.
  • Blount ZD, Weatherspoon KM, Rowles MO, Sommerfeld BA, Wright JT, Turner CB, Lenski RE (2017). Adaptation to Discovered and Self-Constructed Niches during Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli. Evolution 2017, Portland, Oregon.
  • Blount ZD, Weatherspoon KM, Rowles MO, Sommerfeld BA, Wright JT, Turner CB, Lenski RE (2016). Adaptation to Discovered and Self-Constructed Niches during Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli. Second ASM Conference on Experimental Microbial Evolution, Washington, DC.
  • Blount ZD, Weatherspoon KM, Rowles MO, Wright JT, Lenski RE (2015). Two Tales of a Key Innovation. Gordon Research Seminar and Conference in Microbial Population Biology, Andover, New Hampsire.
  • Blount ZD, Weatherspoon KM, Rowles MO, Wright JT, Lenski RE (2015). Two Tales of a Key Innovation. 2015 BEACON Congress, East Lansing, Michigan.
  • Blount ZD, Weatherspoon, KM, Rowles MO, Quandt EM, Lenski RE (2015).  Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli. Gordon Research Conference on Speciation, Ventura, California.
  • Turner CB, Blount ZD, Mitchell DH, Lenski RE (2015). Evolution of Stable Coexistence in Response to a Key Innovation in a Long-Term Evolution Experiment with E. coli. American Society for Microbiology, 115th General Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Weatherspoon KM, Blount ZD, Wright JT, Lenski RE (2015). Evidence of Self-Cross-feeding in Niche Specialization in an Experimental Population of E. coli. American Society for Microbiology, 115th General Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Rowles MO, Blount ZD, Wright JT, Lenski RE (2015). Phenotype and Fitness Value of a Novel Trait-conferring Mutation Vary with Genetic Background in E. coli. American Society for Microbiology, 115th General Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Blount ZD, Weatherspoon KM, Rowles MO, Quandt EM, Lenski RE (2014).  Genetic Basis of Ecological Specialization and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli.  American Society for Microbiology 114th General Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts. 
  • Blount ZD, Weatherspoon KM, Rowles MO, Quandt EM, Lenski RE (2014).  Genetic Basis of Ecological Specialization and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli.  BEACON Congress, East Lansing, MI. 
  • Blount ZD, Lenski RE (2013).  Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli.  Gordon Research Conference on Microbial Population Biology, Andover, New Hampshire.
  • Blount ZD, Lenski RE (2011).  Proposed Tests of Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli Following the Evolution of a Key Innovation.  Gordon Research Conference on Microbial Population Biology, Andover, New Hampshire.
  • Blount ZD, Barrick JE, Sleight SC, Lenski RE (2009).  Gene Amplification, Molecular Exaptation, and the Evolution of a Key Innovation in an Experimental Population of Escherichia coli.  MSU Council of Graduate Students Graduate Academic Conference, East Lansing, Michigan.
  • Blount ZD, Barrick JE, Sleight SC, Lenski RE (2009).  Gene Amplification, Molecular Exaptation, and the Evolution of a Key Innovation in an Experimental Population of Escherichia coli.  Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska.
  • Blount ZD, Barrick JE, Lenski RE (2009).  Long-term Co-existence of Distinct Ecotypes in an Experimental Population of E. coli Following after Evolution of a Key Innovation:  A Case of Incipient Speciation?  American Society for Microbiology, 109th General Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
  • Blount ZD, Barrick JE, Lenski RE (2009).  Phylogenetic History of a Long-Term Experimental Population of E. coli:  Indications of Incipient Speciation.  Gordon Research Conference on Microbial Population Biology, Andover, New Hampshire.
  • Blount ZD, Barrick JE, Sleight SC, Lenski RE (2008). Amplification of a Genetic Segment Containing a Citrate Transporter Gene Underlies Evolution of Aerobic Citrate Utilization in a Long-Term Population of Escherichia coli.  American Society for Microbiology, 108th General Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Blount ZD, Borland CZ, Lenski RE (2007).  Historical Contingency in the Evolution of a Novel Metabolic Capacity in a Population of Escherichia coli.  Gordon Research Conference on Microbial Population Biology, Andover, New Hampshire.
  • Blount ZD, Borland CZ, Lenski RE (2005).  Maintenance of Ecological Diversity after Spontaneous Evolution of Citrate Utilization in a Population of E. coli.  American Society for Microbiology, 105th General Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Blount ZD, Grogan DW (2003).  Active Insertion Sequences in Geographically Separated Populations of Sulfolobus.  American Society for Microbiology, 103rd General Meeting, Washington, D.C. 
 
Conference Talks
  • “Adaptation to Discovered and Self-Constructed Niches during Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli” (2016). Evolution 2016, Austin, Texas.
  • “Adaptation to Discovered and Self-Constructed Niches during Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli” (2016). BEACON Congress, East Lansing, Michigan.
  • “Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli” (2015). Gordon Research Conference on Speciation, Ventura, California.
  • “Ecological Specialization and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli” (2014).  Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution 2014 Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  • “Ecological Specialization and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli” (2014).  American Society for Microbiology First Meeting on Microbial Experimental Evolution, Washington, D.C.
  • “Ecological Specialization and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli” (2014).  Evolution 2014, Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • “Ecological Specialization and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli” (2014).  EMBO Conference on Experimental Approaches to Evolution and Ecology using Yeast and Other Model Systems, Heidelberg, Germany.
  • “Adaptation of Experimental E. coli Populations to a Citrate-only Medium” (2013).  Young Investigator Speaker, American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, Denver, Colorado.
  • “Adaptation of Experimental E. coli Populations to a Citrate-only Medium” (2013).  Evolution 2013 Conference, Snowbird, Utah.
  • “Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli.”  (2013) Gordon Research Symposium, Andover, New Hampshire.
  • “Evidence of Niche-Specific Adaptive Mutation Accumulation in a Novel Ecotype in an Experimental Population of E. coli Following the Evolution of a Key Adaptation” (2012).  Young Investigator Speaker, American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, San Francisco, California.
  • “Evidence of Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli Following the Evolution of a Key Adaptation” (2012).  Evolution 2012 Conference, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
  • “Evidence of Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli Following the Evolution of a Key Adaptation” (2012).  BEACON Congress, East Lansing, Michigan.
  • “Evidence of Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli Following the Evolution of a Key Adaptation” (2012).  ALife 13, East Lansing, Michigan.
  •  “Evolution of a Key Innovation in an Experimental Population of E. coli:  A Tale of Contingency and Cooption” (2008).  Evolution 2008, St. Paul, Minnesota.
  • “Historical Contingency in the Evolution of a Key Adaptive Innovation in Escherichia coli” (2007).  Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Program Student Speaker, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

Fellowships, Awards, Scholarships, and Honors:
  • April 2018: Ralph Evans Award for Microbial Evolution – Michigan State University.
  • October 2014:  Advanced Training Centre Corporate Partnership Programme Fellowship – European Molecular Biology Laboratory
  • December 2012:  Work described by Blount et al 2012 chosen by Science News magazine as one of the top 25 science stories of 2012.
  • Spring 2011:  Ronald M. and Sharon Rogowski Fellowship – Michigan State University
  • Fall 2008 – Summer 2009:  Barnett Rosenberg Fellowship – Michigan State University
  • Spring 2008:  Rudolf Hugh Fellowship – Michigan State University
  • 2007: Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Graduate Student Speaker Award – Michigan State University
  • Summer 2006, 2007:  Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Summer Fellowship – Michigan State University
  • Summer 2002:  Wieman Memorial Fellowship – University of Cincinnati.
  • 2001 – 2003:  University Scholarship – University of Cincinnati
  • 1995 – 1999:  Georgia HOPE Scholarship – Georgia Institute of Technology

Research Funding
  • John Templeton Foundation Foundational Questions in Evolutionary Biology: "Mystery of Mysteries: A Study of Incipient Speciation in the Lab", Richard E. Lenski and Zachary D. Blount, 2012 – 2014.
  • BEACON Grant: "Mechanistic Basis of Mutations Potentiating the Evolution of Citrate Utilization in the LTEE" , Jeffrey E. Barrick, Chistopher J. Marx, Zachary D. Blount, 2014 - 2015.

Teaching Experience
2017
Guest Lecture: "A Big Ball of Evolvey-Wolvey Stuff: The Interplay of Ecology, Physiology, Evolution, Innovation, and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli", Biology 650, Microbial Biology (University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh)

Lecture: “Studying Evolution with E. coli: 68,000 Generations of Evolution in Action”, Dewitt High School Honors Biology Visit to BEACON (Michigan State University)

2016   
Guest Lecture: “A Big Ball of Evolvey-Wolvey Stuff: The Interplay of Ecology, Physiology, Evolution, Innovation, and Incipient Speciation in an Experimental Population of E. coli”, Biology 650, Microbial Biology (University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh)

Guest Lecture: “The E. coli Long-Term Evolution Experiment: 65,500* Generations of evolution in action (*and counting), ISB 204, Applied Biomedical Sciences  (Michigan State University)

2015   
Guest Lecture: “Examining the Evolution of a Novel Trait in a Long-Term Experiment with E. coli”, LB 492, DNA Sequencing Technology and Applications (Michigan State University)

Lecture: “Studying Evolution with E. coli: 62,500 Generations of Evolution in Action”, Dewitt High School Honors Biology Visit to BEACON (Michigan State University)

2014   
Lecture: “Studying Evolution with E. coli: 61,500 Generations of Evolution in Action”, Dewitt High School Honors Biology Visit to BEACON (Michigan State University)

Lecture: “Studying Evolution with E. coli”, BEACON Center and NESCent Darwin Day Roadshow. Given eight times over two days to a total of ~400 students of Hesperia High School and Mason County Eastern Middle and High School, Michigan.

2013   
Lecture: “Making the New from the Old:  The Evolution of a Novel Trait in an Experimental Population of E. coli”, BEACON and BioQUEST Summer Workshop for High School Teachers, Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, Michigan.

2012   
Lecture: “Making the New from the Old:  The Evolution of a Novel Trait in an Experimental Population of E. coli”, Think Evolution Summer Institute for Science Educators, Berkley, California.

2011   
Guest Lecture: “The E. coli Long-Term Evolution Experiment: 50,000 Generations of Evolution in Action”, Evolution in Action (Michigan State University)

2004   
Teaching Assistant: MMG 408, Advanced Microbiology Lab (Michigan State University)

2003   
Teaching Assistant: Biol 271, Elementary Microbiology Lab (University of Cincinnati)

2002   
Teaching Assistant: Biol 552, Microbiology Lab (University of Cincinnati)
  • Developed and wrote new lab manual, developed and instituted new curriculum

Teaching Assistant: Biol 271, Elementary Microbiology Lab (University of Cincinnati)

2001   
Teaching Assistant: Biol 552, Microbiology Lab (University of Cincinnati)

Teaching Assistant: Biol 113, Freshman Biology Lab III (University of Cincinnati)

Teaching Assistant: Elementary Microbiology Lab (University of Cincinnati)

2000   
Teaching Assistant: Biol 552, Microbiology Lab (University of Cincinnati)
 
Mentoring
While at Michigan State University, I have mentored six undergraduate students, two graduate rotation students, and two high school science teachers. This group is quite diverse, and includes four women, six members of underrepresented minorities, and one disabled individual. My undergraduate mentees have also made significant accomplishments. Three have presented their research at conferences, including two who presented posters at the 2015 American Society for Microbiology General Meeting in New Orleans. Four have been or will be co-authors on major research papers. One former undergraduate mentee is currently employed as a research specialist at the University of Illinois, two are in graduate programs at George Washington University and the University of Michigan, respectively, and another has been accepted to the Systems Biology Graduate Program at Harvard University, where he will work with Michael Desai. The two graduate rotation students I mentored have since joined the Lenski Lab, where they have been accruing distinguished records as researchers and scholars. The two high school science teachers I mentored are planning to develop published curricula based on the research they did while under my mentorship.
  • Undergraduate Students
    • Marwa Adawe:  January – May, 2007 (Michigan State University)
    • Kiyana Weatherspoon:  January, 2013 – October, 2015 (Michigan State University)
    • Maia Rowles:  January, 2013 – November, 2015 (Michigan State University)
    • Jacob Wright:  September, 2014 – April 2016 (Michigan State University)
    • Brooke Sommerfeld: September, 2015 – Present (Michigan State University)
    • Tanush Jagdish: November, 2015 – Present (Kalamazoo College, mentored at Michigan State University)
  • Graduate Students
    • Nkrumah Grant:  Fall 2014 (Rotation Student)
    • Kyle Card:  Winter 2015 (Rotation Student)
  • High School Science Teachers
    • Fred Hingst: Summer 2015, Summer 2016
    • Richard Schultz: Summer 2015, Summer 2016

Professional Memberships
  • 1997 – Present: American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • 2000 – 2003: Biology Graduate Students Association, University of Cincinnati
  • 2002 – Present: American Society for Microbiology
  • 2008 – Present: Society for the Study of Evolution
  • 2009 – Present: National Center for Science Education
  • 2013 – Present: American Society of Naturalists
  • 2014 – Present: Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
  • 2014 - Present: National Association of Biology Teachers
  • 2016 - Present: Society for Applied Microbiology

Service
  • 2001 - 2002: Treasurer, Biology Graduate Students Association, University of Cincinnati
  • 2002 - 2003: President, Biology Graduate Students Association, University of Cincinnati
  • 2005 – 2007: Michigan State University College of Natural Sciences Dean’s Student Advisory Committee, Graduate Representative for the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
  • 2007 – 2008: Michigan State University Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Graduate Committee, Graduate Student Representative
  • 2008 – 2009: Michigan State University Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Curriculum Committee, Graduate Student Representative
  • 2015 - Evaluator of undergraduate research posters for the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum, Michigan State University
  • 2015 - 2016: Worked with Richard Lenski, Michael Wiser, and high school teachers Fred Hingst and Richard Schultz to develop bacterial experiments for use in teaching evolution in high school biology classes.
  • 2015 - Discussion leader, Gordon Research Seminar in Microbial Population Biology, Andover, New Hampshire..
  • 2016 - Present: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal Club Panelist
Grant Agency Ad Hoc Reviewer
  • European Research Commission
  • National Science Foundation
Journal Referee 
  • Current Biology
  • Current Opinion in Microbiology
  • BMC Evolutionary Biology
  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Ecology Letters
  • Environmental Microbiology and Environmental Microbiology Reports
  • Evolution
  • Genome Biology and Evolution
  • Heliyon
  • Heredity
  • Interface Focus
  • The ISME Journal
  • Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
  • Nature
  • Nature Communications
  • PeerJ
  • PLoS ONE
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society B
  • Science

Public Outreach
  • 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018: Volunteer for MSU Museum’s “Darwin Discovery Day” Educational Event.
    • 2015 - Present: Planning committee member and general volunteer coordinator
  • 2012 – November Meet-up Speaker for the Michigan Skeptics Association
  • 2012 – WAMC Academic Minute Podcast Speaker, November 19, 2012, Evolving Bacteria
  • 2014 - NESCent and BEACON Darwin Day Roadshow - gave eight talks over March 20 and 21 at two public high schools about evolution, my research, and my path to becoming a scientist.
  • 2014, 2015 - MSU Science Festival Presentation: "Science, Fiction, and the Real Monsters of Our Imagination"
  • 2014 - Invited speaker for the NESCent and BEACON Evolution Symposium at the National Association of Biology Teachers Professional Development conference, Cleveland, OH