On a regular basis I'm not sure how we pull it off... a large lab of people, a small lab of funding, but we work well together and get a lot done towards understanding and describing patterns of biodiversity using traditional and molecular methods.
If you are interested in opportunities for new projects, please just ask. Funding is thin, responsibilities are many, so you are VERY likely to hear that there is not space in the lab for somebody new for the next year or so. When that is the case we do our best to help you find the right person to boost your curiosity.
Below is the "roll call" of folks who have worked in or around the lab, and when possible links to where they are now or what they are working on.
Dr. Bud Freeman - Georgia Museum of Natural History
Dr. John Wares - Professor, Odum School of Ecology and Department of Genetics
Kelly Petersen (PhD candidate, Ecology)
Bryson Hilburn (PhD student, Ecology)
Anderson Smith (BS, Ecology)
Kendall Kessler (BS, Genetics)
Tina Bell (PhD 2009) - Assistant Professor, George Mason University
Jared Bennett (MS Ecology 2022)
Karen Bobier (PhD 2020) - Association of Public Health Laboratories
Katie Bockrath (PhD 2015) - USFW Genomics
Edgardo Diaz (postdoc 2007-2009) - Director, COIBA Field Station
Ron Eytan (postdoc 2011-2013) - Texas A&M Galveston
Christine Ewers-Saucedo (PhD 2015) - University of Kiel
Ivy Francis (lab manager, BS Ecology 2020) - Georgia Aquarium
Kelly Laughlin (lab manager, BS Genetics 2012)
Meredith Meyers (PhD Ecology 2013) -
Sabrina Pankey (lab manager, PhD UCSB 2014) - University of New Hampshire
Paula Pappalardo (postdoc, 2013-2015) - Smithsonian
John Robinson (PhD 2011) - Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
Mary Rougeau (MS 2015) - nursing
Scott Small (PhD 2009) - postdoc, Notre Dame
Nicole Umberger (lab manager, PhD Emory 2011)
Christina Zakas (PhD 2011) - Assistant Professor, North Carolina State University
Paige Duffin (PhD 2024, Genetics)
Margot Popecki (PhD 2024, Genetics)
Peyton White (Double Dawg MS, Ecology)
apologies to all of y'all that I haven't always kept good records or good contact with you :)
John Binford – now an ER-certified physician, microbrewer, agriculturist (BS Genetics-Psychology 2008)
Collin Closek – http://closek.com now Early Career Science Fellow at the Center for Ocean Solutions
Madeline Cozad, REU student, now an MD
Jesyka Meléndez, REU student (now Dr. Jesyka Meléndez!)
Laura Paynter
Clare Scott, now biology faculty at Appalachian State University :)
Mary Pierce Zirkle
Kelly Laughlin (BS Biology 2012)
Danielle Heubel
Melissa Merrill
Leah Besch (BS Genetics 2014)
Neva Hope (BS Genetics 2016)
Tim Makinde (BS Environmental Health 2016, now a DDS)
Emma Pistole (BS Ecology 2016)
Katelyn Chandler (BS Genetics 2017✼)
Katie Skoczen (BS Biology 2019)
Kat Christie (BS Ecology 2021)
Adam Greer (BS Ecology 2020)
Kimani Smith (BS Genetics 2022)
Gracie LaGarde (BS Genetics 2024)
Regarding the diversity of needs towards equitable education and training:
When I first started operations of the "Wares Lab" I was immediately aware that I was not sufficiently experienced or trained in all of the complications and benefits that come from the real lives of humans being part of our mission. Interpersonal problems, neurodiversity, diversity in sexuality, financial and family concerns, health problems are all part of our lives.
Having been the graduate coordinator for the Department of Genetics for 5 years and on the grad program committees in both Genetics and Ecology for most of my time at UGA (and as of 2025 the Director of Graduate Studies in Ecology), I know these and related issues of just being human can lead to conflict or confusion. My job has always been to learn about what is happening when it is appropriate and put our real lives in front of the career or scientific goals. We will all get to where we need to be as scientists on different paths, at different rates.
I learn something every day about how we can all contribute to a better, more content and happier workplace - and the productivity will follow that charge, not the other way around.
To improve my awareness of such challenges, I have attended workshops and other training opportunities to recognize how to ensure students, staff, and colleagues are safe from harrassment or exclusion. I've learned about implicit bias, disability, equity and safety, and effective mentoring. I've helped spearhead peer evaluation of effective teaching approaches and worked with students at UGA and Albany State University to learn more about integrative research opportunities through freshwater mussels. I am committed to continued learning from my students, colleagues, and society about how the privilege of a few affects the liberties of others.