Principal Investigator
Dr. Mario Bretfeld
Assistant Professor
Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Kennesaw State University
Current Graduate Students
Katherine Dobson
MSIB Student“I graduated with my B. S. in Biology from Kennesaw State University in 2023. During my undergrad, I worked with Dr. Heather Sutton and Dr. Aliyah Davenport (Reinhardt University) to complete a comprehensive vascular plant inventory of Sheffield WMA. Additionally, I worked in the PlantEcoFizz Lab where I helped Collin with his graduate research. I also had my own project where I grew American chestnut (Castanea dentata) trees hydroponically. My graduate research will continue to focus on the American chestnut with an emphasis on the phyllosphere (leaf microbiome).”
Zach Peagler
MSIB Student“I received my B.S. in Biology at Kennesaw State University, where I did antimicrobial research on fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) with the Penick Lab before shifting my focus to plant ecology and joining the PlantEcoFizz Lab, where I assisted Collin in his research on tomatoes and the application of a symbiotic bacteria to alter the quality-quantity tradeoff observed in the fruit. I am now pursuing a master’s degree in the MSIB program, and my thesis will be a continuation of the tomato project, focusing on different bacterial application methods.”
Megan Brooks
MSIB Student“I obtained my B.S in biology from Kennesaw State University in 2020. As an undergraduate student, I assisted in research surrounding longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem restoration. In this research, we focused on tree species density and composition as well as abiotic factors such as soil content. I have returned to Kennesaw State to pursue my M.S degree, where my research now focuses on conservation efforts of the endangered native prairie forb Silene regia, which has nearly completely disappeared in the state of Georgia. Upon completion of my graduate program, I hope to go on to pursue a career in regulatory research and conservation through one of many government or private agencies focused on this goal.”
Dylan Lemonds
MSIB Student“I received my B.S. in Biology at Kennesaw State University. I spent my time in undergrad working on a plant community composition study to provide baseline data for future restoration and conservation efforts. The area studied is historically known to be a longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) dominant ecosystem, but due to fire suppression the area has few remaining longleaf pines. My research interests include disturbance ecology, plant ecology, and population ecology. My research is focused on the impacts of local campgrounds, and their impacts on the spread of invasive non-native plant species in Blue Ridge Mountains, GA.”
Current Undergraduate Students
Maddie Cusick
BiologyMaddie is working on new methods how to deliver biostimulant microbes to plants.
Faith Foster
BiologyFaith is helping us with research on royal catchfly conservation.
Emily Cota
BiologyEmily is working on royal catchfly monitoring and conservation.
