People
Jennifer Lachowiec
Dr. Lachowiec studied Genetics at University of Wisconsin (B.S. 2008) and performed research with Dr. Scott Kennedy. During her doctoral work at the University of Washington with Dr. Christine Queitsch (Ph.D. 2014), she studied molecular mechanisms of robustness in evolution. From 2014-2017, Dr. Lachowiec studied the evolution of gene expression with Dr. Patricia Wittkopp at the University of Michigan. The Lachowiec lab was officially founded at MSU in 2017.
Outside of lab I like endurance sports--running, swimming, road cycling, and cross country skiing.
Barb Keith
Dr. Keith earned a B.S. in Microbiology at the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at Hahnemann University, where she studied the role of the cyclin-dependent protein kinase PHO85 in the abiotic stress response in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Other research focuses include transcriptional regulation of yeast superoxide dismutase (University of Massachusetts) and human carboxypepetidase D (University of Illinois-Chicago). Currently, she is collaborating with Dr. Lachowiec to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in multiple herbicide resistance in wild oats (Avena fatua).
When not at my bench, I enjoy seeing what the outside world has to offer.
Jessica Williams
Dr. Williams received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Denver in 2012 where she studied drought tolerance and mycorrhizal interactions in western wheatgrass. She then worked in Drosophila labs studying genetics, cell development, and neuroscience at University of Colorado Denver and MSU. Switching back to plants, she joined Dr. Jamie Sherman’s barley breeding lab and studied barley root system architecture, genetics, and rhizosphere microbial associations, receiving her PhD in 2024.
Outside of work, Jessica enjoys all sorts of skiing and spending time with her family and dogs.
Erik Killian
B.S. in Environmental Science-Geospatial & Environmental Analysis, Minor Soil Sciences, Montana State University 2020
I completed a Bachelor's of Science degree in Environmental Science with a focus in
Geospatial Information Systems. I lead the lab's efforts to use remote sensing to
measure robustness in plants.
In my free time, I enjoy mountain biking, skiing, and climbing.
erik.killian@student.montana.edu
Jared Lile
B.S. in Plant Biotechnology, Montana State University 2020
After completing undergraduate research in the Lachowiec lab in Arabidopsis thaliana and barley, I have returned to MSU to pursue my PhD. I am co-advised by Jennifer and Jason Cook and will study genetics of wheat yield to facilitate breeding.
Aristea King
Miami University, Biology and Anthropology
Chloe Hinson
B.S. in Microbiology, University of Maryland 2022
While completing my bachelor's degree in microbiology at UMD I investigated small
fruit pathology under Dr. Hu. Following graduation I worked with Dr. Farcuh exploring
fruit quality improvement strategies with physical trait and molecular expression
analysis. Under Dr. Lachowiec's advisement, I am seeking to understand how brassinosteroid
treatment affects wheat quality and gene expression during heat stress.
Outside of research, I enjoy drawing, gardening, and video games.
Connor Nelle
B.S. in Conservation Biology, Montana State University 2023
During my time in undergrad at MSU, I worked in weedy cropland and rangeland systems. I am currently working on remote sensing of herbicide resistant wild oat and assisting stakeholders in implementing imaging tools.
When not at MSU, I enjoy playing the drums, skiing, biking, climbing, and designing games.
Krishna Nandakumar
Brody Sturgis
Leisher Gugino
Gavin Jones
Drue Erwin
Ian Oehler