Present and Past Lab Members
Current Lab Members
William A. Cresko, Ph.D. - Principal Investigator
Professor of Biology and Associate Vice President of Research
Institute of Ecology and Evolution
University of Oregon
Bill Cresko is a Professor of Biology and a member of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IE2) at the University of Oregon. He has leadership roles on campus as associate vice president of research and leader of the Presidential Initiative in Data Science. Cresko studies the genomic basis of evolutionary change using comparative studies of natural populations in the wild and experimental approaches in the laboratory. He uses the threespine stickleback fish as his primary model to understand how molecular genetic variation can modify networks of genes and proteins to produce variation in evolutionarily important traits.
Contact: wcresko@uoregon.edu
Full Profile | Google Scholar | ORCID
Susan Bassham, Ph.D. - Senior Research Associate
Senior Research Associate
Institute of Ecology and Evolution
University of Oregon
Susan is interested in understanding the vast variety of life. How is morphological variation, seen in populations of the same species, partitioned among different environments and what are the genetic and genomic factors associated with this partitioning? She uses a variety of molecular genetic tools to uncover genome-scale patterns that underlie phenotypic variation in wild populations of fish, and directs this knowledge to the study of developmental pathways that contribute to novel or modified morphologies.
Contact: sbassham@uoregon.edu
Full Profile | Publications
Martin Stervander, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow
Swedish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow
Institute of Ecology and Evolution
University of Oregon
Martin is a postdoctoral research fellow on a three-year grant from the Swedish Research Council. In the Cresko Lab, he does research in comparative genomics of syngnathid fishes. With a background in phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses of birds, his overall research interests span microevolutionary dynamics to large-scale macroevolution. He received his PhD at Lund University, Sweden, in 2015 with a thesis on speciation in birds.
Contact: mstervan@uoregon.edu
Full Profile | Personal Website | Google Scholar
Emily Beck, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow
Postdoctoral Fellow
Institute of Ecology and Evolution
University of Oregon
Emily’s research focuses on the evolutionary genomics of adaptation in natural populations. She is particularly interested in understanding how genetic variation influences phenotypic diversity and adaptation to different environments. Her work combines population genomics, quantitative genetics, and experimental approaches to understand evolutionary processes.
Contact: ebeck8@uoregon.edu
Publications
Mark Currey, Ph.D. - Senior Research Scientist
Postdoctoral Fellow
Institute of Ecology and Evolution
University of Oregon
Mark’s research investigates the genetic and genomic basis of evolutionary change in natural populations. He uses computational approaches to analyze large-scale genomic datasets and understand patterns of genetic variation that contribute to adaptation and speciation.
Contact: mcurrey@uoregon.edu
Publications
Clayton Small - Postdoctoral Scholar
Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Biology
University of Oregon
Clay is investigating the genetic architecture of complex traits using threespine stickleback as a model system. His research combines quantitative genetics, genomics, and developmental biology to understand how genetic variation produces phenotypic diversity in natural populations.
Contact: csmall@uoregon.edu
Research
Hope Healey - Graduate Student
Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Biology
University of Oregon
Hope is a graduate student researching syngnathid fishes. She received her bachelor’s degree in zoology from Michigan State in 2018. While at MSU, she worked on Michigan zooplankton and electric fish. She developed a love for teleost fishes and continues working with unique fish models in the Cresko lab. She received the 2019-20 Department of Biology Hill Fund Outstanding GE Teaching Award.
Contact: hhealey@uoregon.edu
Full Profile
Hannah Tavalire, Ph.D. - Research Associate
Research Associate
Institute of Ecology and Evolution
University of Oregon
Hannah’s research focuses on the genomics of host-microbiome interactions and how genetic variation influences microbial community composition. She uses computational and experimental approaches to understand these complex biological systems.
Contact: tavalire@uoregon.edu
Publications
Undergraduate Researchers
Current Undergraduate Team
Micah Woods - Post-Baccalaureate Scholar
Micah assists with a range of projects throughout the lab. Before their role as a Post-Baccalaureate Scholar, they worked as a Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar exploring gene expression in craniofacial development of zebrafish, stickleback, and pipefish using in situ hybridization. They wrote, defended, and earned the Robert D. Clark Award for their thesis in philosophy of biology. Recently published in Ms. Magazine highlighting the contributions of Dr. Kata Karáth.
Contact: mwoods@uoregon.edu
Walker Meyer - Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar
Walker is exploring the genetic basis of adaptation in stickleback populations. He was recently chosen as a Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar in support of his research.
Contact: wmeyer@uoregon.edu
Vithika Goyal - Undergraduate Researcher
Vithika is studying genetic diversity in natural populations. She was recently awarded a Hui Fellowship to support her research.
Contact: vgoyal@uoregon.edu
Lab Alumni
Postdoctoral Fellows
- Sophia Frantz, Ph.D. - Now Assistant Professor at [Institution]
- [Name], Ph.D. - Current position at [Institution]
Graduate Students
- [Name], Ph.D. (Year) - Thesis: “Title” - Current position at [Institution]
- [Name], M.S. (Year) - Thesis: “Title” - Current position at [Institution]
Undergraduate Researchers
- [Name] (Years) - Current position/graduate program
- [Name] (Years) - Current position/graduate program
Affiliated Members
Chuck Kimmel, Ph.D. - Professor Emeritus
Professor Emeritus
Department of Biology
University of Oregon
Chuck is a distinguished developmental biologist who has made fundamental contributions to our understanding of craniofacial development and evolution. His pioneering work on zebrafish development has been instrumental in establishing this species as a model organism.
Contact: ckimmel@uoregon.edu
Publications
Join Our Team
If you are interested in joining the Cresko Lab as an undergraduate researcher, graduate student, or postdoctoral scholar, please read our recent publications and then email Dr. Cresko with your CV and a statement of research interests.
Current Opportunities:
- Graduate student positions available for Fall 2025
- Undergraduate research opportunities through the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars program
- Post-baccalaureate positions may be available - please inquire
Contact: wcresko@uoregon.edu