STEER is organized by the Warner Laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University. Our lab group consists of professional scientists and students at different levels of their career. We are all broadly interested in ecology and evolution of reptiles, and we strive to spread our passion for this topic through outreach and education programs.
Dr. Dan Warner (contact Dan | Dan's website)
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University. I consider myself an evolutionary ecologist and integrative biologist, which essentially means that my research integrates aspects of ecology, behavior, physiology, and genetics to understand ecological and evolutionary processes. In addition to this, I have an innate interest (since childhood) in reptiles and amphibians, and thus, I am also a herpetologist at heart. I feel very fortunate to have a career where I can study these fascinating animals and pass my passion for this work on to my students. I am also very motivated to enhance science education and I look forward to training teachers and students in the STEER program. |
Molly Caldwell (contact Molly)
I received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Auburn University in 2012. In 2015, I completed a Master’s in Field and Organismal Biology from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. I conducted my thesis research on variation in Green Heron nesting success in coastal marshes of southwest Louisiana. After finishing my Master's, I worked for over 3 years in bird conservation with Audubon Mississippi (National Audubon Society), protecting and monitoring coastal bird species and providing outreach to the public. I am currently a PhD student in the Warner and Wolak labs, studying temperature dependent sex determination and other aspects of nesting and incubation in the yellow-bellied slider. My general interests are in conservation, ecology, evolution, and reproductive biology, and I hope to continue working in conservation after completing my degree. |
Morgan Muell (contact Morgan | Morgan's website)
I am a PhD student co-advised by Dr. Dan Warner and Dr. Jamie Oaks. I am interested in researching how organismal traits evolve through time and space. I completed my B.S. in Biology at Iowa State University in 2018, and I earned my M.S. in Zoology from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 2020. My lifelong fascination with biodiversity has shaped my curiosities as a biologist, and I’ve developed a keen affection for amphibians and reptiles through my research over the years. I have previously worked on reproduction in painted turtles, and my Masters thesis focused on the evolution of color pattern in a group of South American poison frogs (Ranitomeya). For my dissertation work here at Auburn, I am comparing how multiple species of Anolis lizards respond to differing thermal conditions in early life, also known as thermal developmental plasticity. I eventually hope to become a professor myself, and I am dedicated to making science a place where people from all backgrounds can be successful. In my spare time, you can find me singing, gaming, and tending to my many terraria. I’m excited to learn from the teachers in the STEER program and do some cool science along the way!
I am a PhD student co-advised by Dr. Dan Warner and Dr. Jamie Oaks. I am interested in researching how organismal traits evolve through time and space. I completed my B.S. in Biology at Iowa State University in 2018, and I earned my M.S. in Zoology from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 2020. My lifelong fascination with biodiversity has shaped my curiosities as a biologist, and I’ve developed a keen affection for amphibians and reptiles through my research over the years. I have previously worked on reproduction in painted turtles, and my Masters thesis focused on the evolution of color pattern in a group of South American poison frogs (Ranitomeya). For my dissertation work here at Auburn, I am comparing how multiple species of Anolis lizards respond to differing thermal conditions in early life, also known as thermal developmental plasticity. I eventually hope to become a professor myself, and I am dedicated to making science a place where people from all backgrounds can be successful. In my spare time, you can find me singing, gaming, and tending to my many terraria. I’m excited to learn from the teachers in the STEER program and do some cool science along the way!