Graduate Students
Sam Kirkendall
Active Dates: August 2013 – Present.
Sam is a graduate student working on gut fungi.
Nicole Reynolds
Active Dates: August 2012 – Present.
Nicole first became involved in Dr. White’s lab as an undergraduate, the experiences of which naturally progressed into a graduate position. She is now working on investigating the evolutionary relationships of the protist trichomycetes. These unicellular organisms are morphologically similar to the fungal trichomycetes, but according to molecular studies fall within a class of protists (Ichthyosporea) at the divergence point of animals and fungi, making them potentially valuable for research into the evolution of multicellularity. In her pedestrian life, Nicole is a fan of Pink Floyd, has two little dogs, enjoys hot yoga, is always up for a good zombie movie, and loves to travel to exotic locales whenever possible.
Eric Tretter
Active Dates: January 2010 – May 2013.
Eric joined the program at Boise State in January 2010 and conducted a phylogenetic survey of fungi in the subphylum Kickxellomycotina. Additional projects included contributing to the Fungal Barcoding effort and working to improve molecular methods in the early-diverging fungi. He also assisted in the training of five students for the molecular lab. Eric’s specialty in the lab is PCR, gene sequencing, and applying bioinformatic methods to evolutionary studies. His outside interests include amateur astronomy, trail running, and road and mountain cycling.
 Emma Wilson
Active Dates: January 2010 – May 2013.
Emma arrived in January 2010 and conducted a collaborative project with the US Geological Survey exploring how gut fungi are affected by fungicides. She also participated in many surveys of gut fungi, and trained over a dozen students in the field. Emma is passionate about mycology, aquatic ecology, and human impacts on the environment. Outside of school, she enjoys yoga, hiking, live music, and mushroom hunting.
Yan Wang
Active Dates: August 2009 – May 2012.
Yan arrived at BSU and joined Dr. White’s Mycology group in August 2009. His interests lie in molecular systematics of gut fungi. The evolutionary story of this group of organisms was the main focus of his research, which was part of the REVSYS project. Yan also loves soccer, tennis, and swimming. Yan is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Toronto.
Molly Bench
Active Dates: August 2007 – May 2009.
Molly surveyed a local ephemeral stream for gut fungi and described several new species.