People

Principal Investigator

PI Strader


mariestrader
Google Scholar

Dr. Marie Strader (she/her)

B.Sc University of Oregon (2010)
Ph.D. the University of Texas at Austin (2012-2017)
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of California Santa Barbara (2017-2019)
Research Assistant Professor, Auburn University (2019-2022)
Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University (2022-present)

I am a marine molecular ecologist interested in mechanisms of organismal responses to the environment. I investigate how marine invertebrates respond to predicted changes in ocean environments from the level of genes to populations in an evolutionary ecology context. The overarching theme of my research program is to investigate how our changing climate influences ecological and evolutionary responses of marine invertebrates.

Post-doctoral Fellows


Amy Tan, Ph.D

B.S. Walla Walla University (2013)
M.S. Walla Walla University (2015)
Ph.D. Texas A&M University (2022)
Amy is a developmental and molecular biologist currently investigating how epigenomes and phenotypes are shaped by environmental conditions. She uses the purple sea urchin to examine how microbial communities and sea water temperatures impact larval urchin size, immune system, chromatin accessibility, and gene expression. Amy’s PhD work focused on development of the zebrafish inner ear, especially how signals are coordinated and cooperate to pattern sensory and neural regions of the inner ear. Prior to that, she studied regeneration of internal organs in a sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) as a Masters student and, as an undergraduate, worked on projects related to the impact of sea cucumbers in tropical coral reef environments.


Ph.D. Students


Mikayla Clark

Mikayla is a PhD student in the Biology program. She received her B.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Tennessee and her M.Sc. in Marine Microbiology from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology. She has an eclectic research history ranging from cytokinesis and bioinformatics to plant biotechnology and algal bloom dynamics. She is interested in exploring the molecular mechanisms behind Cassiopea phenotypic plasticity. Outside of the lab, she is a dog mom, scuba diver, and crafter. 


Stephanie Hendricks

B.Sc. Texas A&M University (2021)
Stephanie is a third year PhD student in Biology. She received her B.S. in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston in 2021. Her past research focused on the down-regulated genes in the immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) using transcriptomics and bioinformatics. Stephanie is broadly interested in studying the role of the environment in shaping marine invertebrate traits. Some of her current projects include investigating thermal tolerance through gene expression plasticity to enable selective breeding in Acropora tenuis along Ningaloo Coast, Western Australia and investigating the role of temperature on the establishment of the microbiome and consequences for larval infection in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Some of Stephanie’s hobbies include traveling, photography, and collecting rocks.

Grace

Grace Mathis

Grace is a PhD student in the Biology program. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor where she studied coliform concentrations at Belton Lake swimming areas. She has also worked on projects identifying microbial communities in corals affected by wastewater. Grace is interested in ecological genetics, symbioses, and the effects of environmental stressors. Alongside her research endeavors, Grace is also an artist and enjoys boba, playing piano, and rock climbing.


Myles Wagner

Myles is a PhD student in the EEB interdisciplinary program. He is interested in the thermotolerance of cnidarians and how this interacts with their symbiosis, the population genetics of Cassiopea, and the changing biogeography of our oceans. Myles received a bachelors degree in Marine Biology and Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Rhode Island where he studied speciation in Brevolium symbionts using transcriptomics. Following his undergraduate degree he spent time working in the Coral Reproduction Lab at Mote Marine Lab. Outside of his academic pursuits Myles is an avid Scuba diver and underwater photographer, and enjoys playing ultimate frisbee.

Undergraduates

Theresa Cai

Theresa Cai

Howdy! I’m an Undergraduate Biology major at Texas A&M University from Katy, TX. Outside of class, I enjoy reading, drawing, and spending time fishing.

Martin Carrasco

My name is Martin Carrasco and I am from El Paso Texas. I came to Texas A&M university to study biology and get involved in the amazing research that is being held here. I hope to go on to obtain a DVM but also one day teach as well. I enjoy playing tennis and most recently going down to Galveston to hunt for seashells.

Morgan Gardner

I am a pre-medical biology major with a business minor at Texas A&M University. I am interested in research because of the opportunity to contribute valuable information to the world of science. I enjoy cooking, playing volleyball, learning new hobbies, and spending time with friends.

AnneMarie

AnneMarie Johnston

I am a senior at Texas A&M double majoring in Ecology and Conservation Biology and Biomedical Sciences. I hope to pursue a graduate degree in public health, but for now I love studying and caring for Cassiopea xamachana clones in the Strader Lab! 

Will Kotas

Will Kotas

I am an undergraduate Biology major at Texas A&M on the pre-medical route. In my free time I enjoy skateboarding, gymnastics, and almost all forms of staying active.

Ainsley Milikien

I am an undergraduate student at Texas A&M University studying biomedical sciences with a pre-medical track. Currently, I am studying the jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana, the upside down jellyfish, in the Strader lab.

Samika

Samika Nayini

Howdy! My name is Samika Nayini and I am a class of ’28 Public Health major interested in pre-medical and environmental studies. I am excited to be in the Strader lab and see our research grow. In my free time I enjoy playing bass guitar and travelling 🙂

Ariana Noor

Ariana Noor

I am an undergraduate student at Texas A&M University studying business administration with a pre-dental track. In the Strader Lab, I am researching how marine invertebrates respond to environmental changes. Outside the lab, I love going to the gym, spending time with friends and family, and finding ways to support the people around me, whether through a good laugh or a helping hand. 

Brinson Vu

Brinson Vu

Howdy! I am an biology undergraduate student who is following the pre-optometry track. In the lab, I am currently studying how marine invertebrates respond to environmental changes. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports with my friends and reading. 

Selin

Selin Yasar

I am an undergraduate student completing my second year at Texas A&M University with a major in biology. After I complete my degree, I have an interest in pursuing research long-term, particularly concerning animal life. My hobbies include creative writing and video editing.

Dylan Young

Dylan Young

Howdy! My name is Dylan Young and I am currently an undergraduate majoring in biology. I am very interested in animals and studying their way of life!

Previous Lab Members


Ziyu (Tobi) Wang

B. Sc. Texas A&M University (2023)
Tobi, his scientific name, Ziyu, was our lab technician and marine invertebrate babysitter (2022-2025) with a heart for upside-down jellies. Tobi worked on investigating thermo-tolerance of upside-down jelly’s early life stages—polyp and ephyra—which are vulnerable stages that directly influence population persistence. He is also led a study as to how heat stress affects the sleep-like state in upside-down jellies, through behavioral assays and molecular techniques. Tobi is now a PhD student in the Kitchen lab at TAMUG.

Sarah Leinbach


Sarah Leinbach

M.Sc. Auburn University (2022)
B.Sc. University of Maryland, College Park (2019)
Sarah graduated from the Strader Lab (Auburn University) in May 2022 with a M.Sc. in Biology. Sarah’s thesis focused on understanding intraspecific variation in coral reproductive output and symbiont community structure following a thermal bleaching event in the reef-building coral Acropora hyacinthus. Sarah currently works as a restoration technician at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.