Grace John – Principle Investigator
email: gracejohn@ufl.edu
Phone: (352) 294-6314
Office: 310A Bartram Hall
PhD Students
Claudia J. Garnica Díaz, M.Sc. Biology, University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez Campus
Research interests: environmental gradients, functional ecology, plant physiology, unusual soils adaptation, drought resistance
Favorite plant: Passiflora alata
Fun fact: I have over 300 pairs of earrings
MS Students
Megan McKinsey, B.Sc. Environmental Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Research Interests: plant physiology, drought resistance, functional anatomy, stomatal behavior
Favorite plant: Pink lady slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule)
Undergraduate Researchers
Caitlyn Cavender– Integrative Biology Major with Chemistry, English, and Environmental Science Minor
Research interests: mycorrhizal networks, phytoremediation, ecosystem ecology, leaf economics, fire ecology
Favorite plant: Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides)
Fun fact: I have a pet African Dwarf Frog names Caro
Penny Planet– Botany, Astronomy, AND Mathematics Major
Research interests: Leaf biomechanics and water relations
Fun fact: I do not like pizza
Lab Manager
Tic the dog
Research Interests: soil profiles, tensile properties of fibers
Fun Fact: Is a very good dog.
Lab Alumni
Ogonna (Precious) Eli, B.Sc. Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Research interests: functional anatomy, ecology, plant water storage and drought physiology
Favorite plant:
Kendall Lindsay– Botany
Research Interests: genetics
Favorite plant: strings of things (e.g., Senecio peregrinus, Peperomia prostrata)
Fun fact: I’m a triplet
Luke Vu – Biotechnology
Research Interests: Leaf evolution and Medicine
General Interests: Aquariums, basketball, and music
Fun fact: I was potty trained at six weeks old
Alexis Rodriguez– Botany Major
Research Interests: My research involves building a dendrochonological library using the visible patterns of tree rings in Oak species of Indiana, with hopes of determining drought tolerance relationships in and between species.
Fun fact: I speak a little bit of Japanese and hope to become more fluent!
Raiza Castillo, PhD. – Horticultural Science, University of Florida
Research Interests: functional anatomy, plant hydraulics, gas exchange, plant-insect interactions
Favorite Plant: Bromeliads
Brian Branstetter– B.S. Biology, Theatre Minor
Interests: Hiking, photography, film analysis, poetry, coffee
Favorite Movie: Lady Bird
Check out Brian’s poster below!
Anne Margaret Harrison – B.S. Business Administration
Interests: travel, exploration, hikes, service-related activities
Fun Fact: I have traveled to 16 countries!
Kateřina Jakešová– B.S. Spanish, Pre-Med Track
Interests: traveling, yoga, baking, true crime
Fun fact: studied in two schools in three languages at the same time
Maya Olson– B.S. Biology
Research interests: leaf venation, oak diversification
Ashley Schuler– B.S., Environmental Science, University of Florida
B.A., Economics, University of Florida
Current M.S. student at the University of Michigan
Former University Research Scholar
Research Interests: Plant anatomy, salinity, horticulture
Favorite Plant: Albizia julibrissin
Check out Ashley’s poster below!
Nicholas Smith – B.S. Biology
I’m an undergraduate at the University of Florida entering my junior year. I have been with the lab since February of 2020 and have enjoyed working with Dr. Grace and my lab peers immensely! My main academic interests include botany (of course), psychology, and general chemistry which I volunteer as a TA for. For fun I like include hiking, gaming, fishing, and playing basketball.
Check out Nick’s poster below!
Jaimie Wargo – B.S. Environmental Science and B.S. Chemistry
Research Interests: biofuel, sustainability, renewable energy
Favorite Plant: Dracaena marginata
Check out Jaimie’s poster below!
Interested in joining the John lab? The John lab is always recruiting excited minds!
The John Lab @UF 