Kaitlin Allen

Postdoctoral Researcher on NSF Astylosternus project

Ph.D., 2021, University of Kansas
M.S., 2015, Villanova University
B.S., 2013, Truman State University

Email: ktallen45@gmail.com
Website: https://kaitlineallen.weebly.com
Twitter: @Katie_Allen9

Katie’s research focuses on systematics, biogeography, and niche evolution in amphibians and reptiles. While at UF, she is working on the phylogenomics and niche evolution of night frogs (Astylosternus) and hairy frogs (Trichobatrachus) from Central Africa. She is mentored by Dave Blackburn with whom she and Walter Tapondjou collaboratively developed a NSF project funded by the Systematics and Biodiversity Science Cluster.

Jaimi Gray

Postdoctoral Researcher on NSF openVertebrate (oVert) project

Ph.D., 2018, University of Adelaide
​B.S., 2013, University of Adelaide

tjaiEmail: grayjaimi@gmail.com
Twitter: @jaimiAgray

Jaimi is an evolutionary morphologist, CT-imaging specialist, and a postdoc on the oVert Thematic Collections Network. Her research includes comparative morphology of lizard skulls, arachnid weaponry, and snake brains and neurosensory systems. She has worked in field sites and labs in Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. Jaimi is co-mentored by Dave Blackburn and Ed Stanley.

Maggie Hantak

NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow on Plethodon salamanders

Ph.D., 2019, Ohio University
M.S., 2013, John Carroll University
B.S., 2011, John Carroll University

Email: maggiehantak@gmail.com
Website: https://maggiehantak.weebly.com
Twitter: @MaggieHantak

Maggie’s research program is focused on spatial and temporal factors that influence variation in phenotypic traits. She has an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB) to study the evolution and maintenance of the dorsal striped/unstriped color polymorphism in Plethodon salamanders. To accomplish her goals, Maggie will use machine learning, museum collections, and community science platforms to gather data on the widespread polymorphism. She is co-mentored by Dave Blackburn and Rob Guralnick.

Dan Paluh

NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow on frog teeth evo-devo

Ph.D., 2021, University of Florida
M.S., 2016, Villanova University
B.S., 2014, John Carroll University

Email: dpaluh@ufl.edu
Website: https://danielpaluh.weebly.com/
Twitter: @danpaluh

Dan’s research focuses on the phenotypic diversity and evolution of amphibians and reptiles. He has an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB) to study the development and evolution of teeth in frogs. He is co-mentored by Gareth Fraser at UF and Jim Hanken at Harvard.

Walter Paulin Tapondjou

Postdoctoral Researcher on NSF Astylosternus project

Ph.D., 2022, University of Kansas
M.S., 2011, Université de Yaoundé I, Cameroon
B.S., 2008, Université de Yaoundé I, Cameroon

Email: wtapondjou@gmail.com
Twitter: @PaulinWalter

Walter’s research focuses on biogeography, systematics, and evolution in reptiles and amphibians from the mountains of Central Africa. While at UF, he is working on the phylogenomics and niche evolution of night frogs (Astylosternus) and hairy frogs (Trichobatrachus) from Central Africa. He is mentored by Dave Blackburn with whom he and Kaitlin collaboratively developed a NSF project funded by the Systematics and Biodiversity Science Cluster.