Welcome to our team! We are an academic research lab situated in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oregon State University. Our group is composed of a Professor, Lab Manager, Graduate Students and Undergraduate Students. More details on the team, roles and interests, and positionalities are provided below!
Dee Denver he/him
Professor / Primary Investigator
PhD: University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2002
BS: University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996
contact: denvedee[at]oregonstate.edu
Lab Role and Research Interests
I am a Professor of Integrative Biology at OSU and the primary investigator of this team. As group leader, I provide vision and guidance on research approaches and collaborations, lab activities and directions, and scholarly communication. Financial support of research is a big responsibility. Holistic trainee support is a bigger responsibility, and a privilege. I am committed to continuously cultivating a research environment that is intellectually stimulating, adaptive, creative, inclusive, supportive, and brave. My current interests include the philosophical intersections of biology with Buddhism and other non-Western traditions, contemplative approaches to research lab culture, and developing new approaches to biological inquiry at the intersections of Buddhism and science.
Positionality Statement
I lead a research team that investigates biological systems and philosophical intersections, with emphasis on Buddhist and scientific crosspaths. I occupy this space as a white man who grew up in Missouri with little exposure to Buddhism, followed by immersion in Western evolutionary biology and academic culture. After listening to Tibetan Buddhist teachings in 2004, Buddhist thought has become an increasingly prominent part of my journey. I am a father in a transracial adoptive family, a sacred source of joy and responsibility that teaches me new lessons every day. These and other experiences instilled in me commitments to cultural humility and appreciation of perspectives that differ from mine.
Professor / Primary Investigator
PhD: University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2002
BS: University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996
contact: denvedee[at]oregonstate.edu
Lab Role and Research Interests
I am a Professor of Integrative Biology at OSU and the primary investigator of this team. As group leader, I provide vision and guidance on research approaches and collaborations, lab activities and directions, and scholarly communication. Financial support of research is a big responsibility. Holistic trainee support is a bigger responsibility, and a privilege. I am committed to continuously cultivating a research environment that is intellectually stimulating, adaptive, creative, inclusive, supportive, and brave. My current interests include the philosophical intersections of biology with Buddhism and other non-Western traditions, contemplative approaches to research lab culture, and developing new approaches to biological inquiry at the intersections of Buddhism and science.
Positionality Statement
I lead a research team that investigates biological systems and philosophical intersections, with emphasis on Buddhist and scientific crosspaths. I occupy this space as a white man who grew up in Missouri with little exposure to Buddhism, followed by immersion in Western evolutionary biology and academic culture. After listening to Tibetan Buddhist teachings in 2004, Buddhist thought has become an increasingly prominent part of my journey. I am a father in a transracial adoptive family, a sacred source of joy and responsibility that teaches me new lessons every day. These and other experiences instilled in me commitments to cultural humility and appreciation of perspectives that differ from mine.
Dana Howe
Lab Manager / Senior Faculty Research Assistant (FRA) I
MS: Oregon State University, 2006
BA: Augsburg College, 1999
Lab Role and Research Interests
I am a faculty research assistant and lab manager. As an FRA, I am primarily responsible for research activities in the lab. I am interested in using genetics to study evolution, symbiosis, conservation, and biocontrol. Currently, my main research responsibilities focus on our nematode and gastropod systems and the population genetics of Ficus religiosa. As lab manager, I help foster a curious and supportive lab environment, and make sure that everyone has the resources they need to address their scientific questions. I greatly appreciate our group’s attention to transdisciplinary research, contemplative approaches, and ethical studies, as it helps me be a better scientist and enriches students’ educational journeys.
Jazlee Crowley she/they
Graduate Student, Integrative Biology
BS: Northern Arizona University, 2020
Research Interests
I study the co-evolution of the fig wasps and the sacred Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa) in their invasive and native ranges, including US, Nepal and Hawaiian Islands. I am interested in the impact that the Bodhi tree has in invasive areas, as well as the tree’s interaction and influence on the surrounding religious communities. My research includes field work and genetic studies. I have a special interest in art, especially in Buddhist art, and how that may have a role in the research I conduct. I am also making efforts to study contemplative approaches to Biology and finding ways to incorporate intentional and ethical methodology into my research.
Positionality Statement
My work involves research surrounding Buddhism, Indigenous perspectives of invasive species, the sacredness of the Bodhi tree in south and east Asian countries, and the impact of the Bodhi tree in the Hawaiian Islands. I am a white American woman who grew up in a culturally mixed space that did not have naturally growing Bodhi trees. This has and will influence the way I interpret my research and work. I make sincere efforts to incorporate the perspectives of the people who live in the area of study as I do my research, especially those who are impacted directly by the Bodhi tree-fig wasp system that I work with.
Brenna Prevelige she/her
Graduate Student, Integrative Biology
BS: Bucknell University, 2020
Lab Role and Research Interests
I am a PhD student in Integrative Biology studying the intersections of Mycology and Buddhist philosophy. I am particularly interested in concepts of reciprocity in the fungal and philosophical world. I plan to study the Ganoderma complex, also known as Reishi mushrooms. Ganoderma has deep cultural and historical significance, particularly in Asian countries where it has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. My work will employ comparative phylogenetics on a global scale with particular focus in the Pacific Northwest and community forests of Nepal. I am interested in exploring Ganoderma symbioses in forest systems, investigating secondary metabolite production and interkingdom communication in the natural world.
Positionality Statement
I am a 25-year-old white woman of Eastern European heritage living in the United States. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and am the first in my family to pursue higher education. As a researcher, I bring forward years of experience both within and outside of academic institutions that have motivated me to question Western scientific systems. However, coming from a privileged, Western background, I approach this world with certain biases and motivations that affect my work. I acknowledge how my identities influence my research interests and how I am perceived while conducting it. I am committed to continuous reflection and welcome feedback on my research methodology.
Graduate Student, Integrative Biology
BS: Bucknell University, 2020
Lab Role and Research Interests
I am a PhD student in Integrative Biology studying the intersections of Mycology and Buddhist philosophy. I am particularly interested in concepts of reciprocity in the fungal and philosophical world. I plan to study the Ganoderma complex, also known as Reishi mushrooms. Ganoderma has deep cultural and historical significance, particularly in Asian countries where it has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. My work will employ comparative phylogenetics on a global scale with particular focus in the Pacific Northwest and community forests of Nepal. I am interested in exploring Ganoderma symbioses in forest systems, investigating secondary metabolite production and interkingdom communication in the natural world.
Positionality Statement
I am a 25-year-old white woman of Eastern European heritage living in the United States. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and am the first in my family to pursue higher education. As a researcher, I bring forward years of experience both within and outside of academic institutions that have motivated me to question Western scientific systems. However, coming from a privileged, Western background, I approach this world with certain biases and motivations that affect my work. I acknowledge how my identities influence my research interests and how I am perceived while conducting it. I am committed to continuous reflection and welcome feedback on my research methodology.
Emily Taylor she/her
Graduate student, Integrative Biology
BS: Iowa State University, 2022
Lab Role and Research Interests
I am a Masters student studying the interaction between parasitic nematodes (Phasmarhabditis spp.) and their molluscan hosts. I am interested in how nematodes utilized as biocontrol against agricultural pests such as the gray field slug (Deroceras spp.) may infect non-target species, with special focus on the Pacific Banana Slug (Ariolimax columbianus). Furthermore, I aim to investigate the impact and ethics of releasing biological control agents into the environment. My approach will employ field collection and infectivity trials in the lab, and throughout my work I will incorporate aspects of Buddhist philosophy and contemplative practice, aiding in my exploration of ethical science frameworks.
Graduate student, Integrative Biology
BS: Iowa State University, 2022
Lab Role and Research Interests
I am a Masters student studying the interaction between parasitic nematodes (Phasmarhabditis spp.) and their molluscan hosts. I am interested in how nematodes utilized as biocontrol against agricultural pests such as the gray field slug (Deroceras spp.) may infect non-target species, with special focus on the Pacific Banana Slug (Ariolimax columbianus). Furthermore, I aim to investigate the impact and ethics of releasing biological control agents into the environment. My approach will employ field collection and infectivity trials in the lab, and throughout my work I will incorporate aspects of Buddhist philosophy and contemplative practice, aiding in my exploration of ethical science frameworks.
Current Denver Lab Post-Bac and Undergraduate Trainees
Max Brune: Post-Bac Researcher, Honors BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2022
Triet Ho: Bodhi Tree Project Student Mentor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major
Hannah LaVeine: Bodhi Tree Project Student Mentor, BioHealth Sciences major
Abigail Mutchler: Bodhi Tree Project Student, BioHealth Sciences major
Renee Pham, Bodhi Tree Project Student, BioHealth Sciences major
Emily Soose, Bodhi Tree Project Student, Biology major
Kim Tu, Bodhi Tree Project Student, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major
Forrest Vargyas, Bodhi Tree Project Student, Bioengineering major
Sofia Vazquez-Hernandez, Bodhi Tree Project Student, Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Science major
Max Brune: Post-Bac Researcher, Honors BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2022
Triet Ho: Bodhi Tree Project Student Mentor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major
Hannah LaVeine: Bodhi Tree Project Student Mentor, BioHealth Sciences major
Abigail Mutchler: Bodhi Tree Project Student, BioHealth Sciences major
Renee Pham, Bodhi Tree Project Student, BioHealth Sciences major
Emily Soose, Bodhi Tree Project Student, Biology major
Kim Tu, Bodhi Tree Project Student, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major
Forrest Vargyas, Bodhi Tree Project Student, Bioengineering major
Sofia Vazquez-Hernandez, Bodhi Tree Project Student, Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Science major
