People
Principal Investigator
Blaine Marchant
Assistant Professor
NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Walbot Lab, Stanford University
Ph.D. in Botany, Soltis Lab, University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History
B.Sc. with Honors in Biology, University of Puget Sound
Email: dblainemarchant[at]umsl.edu
Curriculum Vitae (current as of 11/24)
General Interests: Botanizing, Birding, Herping, Biologizing, Hiking
Current Lab Members
JOIN THE LAB
Undergraduate Researchers
Interested in plants, evolution, genetics, agriculture, or just general research experience? We are always looking for self-motivated undergraduates to join the Marchant Lab. Check out our primary research topics, but students are welcome to pursue any plant-related project. Our research opportunities include volunteering, course credit, or senior thesis projects. Email Dr. Marchant to discuss your interests, potential projects, and current opportunities in the lab.
Graduate Students
Do you want to pursue a career in academia, biotechnology, agriculture, or government agencies in the most botanically-focused city in the world? The Marchant Lab is recruiting Masters and Ph.D. students to start Fall 2024. We are particularly interested in students with a background in plant biology, cellular biology, developmental biology, evolution, bioinformatics, or conservation; however, highly self-motivated students with a passion for botany and science are welcome to get in touch.
Applications for the UMSL Biology Ph.D. program are due by December 15th and applications for the Masters program are considered on a rolling basis. Teaching and/or research assistantships are guaranteed for Ph.D. students for five years. More information on the UMSL Biology Graduate Program and application process can be found here.
If you are interested in applying for the lab, email Dr. Marchant with your CV and a brief statement on your background and research interests. The Marchant Lab welcomes international graduate students; however, please get in touch well before the December deadline as your applications must also go through the International Students Office.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Recently graduated or soon to graduate doctoral students are welcome to contact Dr. Marchant regarding postdoctoral research opportunities. Funding for specific research projects may be available and we will gladly sponsor independent fellowships, such as the National Science Foundation PRFB or USDA AFRI Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Caitlin Kelly
Biology Master’s Student
Caitlin finished her Master’s in Biology at UMSL. She previously earned her B.S. in Biology and M.A. of Science Education from Truman State and taught high school sciences for two years. After deciding to return to school at UMSL, she began working in medical research labs at WashU School of Medicine. While her day job involves studying human disease, she chose to diversify her research experience and study in Dr. Marchant's lab before graduating. Caitlin's research focuses on the optimization of sample collection and storage to ensure long term viability of pollen grains and the genetic information they contain at the time of collection. Her hope is that these foundational studies will help ensure the success of the Marchant lab long after her graduation.
Khagesh Kumar
Biochemistry and Biotechnology Master’s Student
Khagesh recently finished his Master’s in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at UMSL. He studied pollen development and viability in the Marchant Lab.
Jess Chern
Biology Undergraduate
Jess is a 3rd year biology student and wants to go into orthodontics. She started to plant random veggies and flowers in her parents' garden during Covid to pass the time, and coincidentally, ended up loving her corn plants the most (sadly some squirrels got to it overnight). Jess spent 13 years taking piano lessons and likes to put that skill to use and find new songs to play when she has time. She loves doing things outdoors like camping, picnics, hiking, and skiing and has a new obsession with cats. Jess really likes food and cooking and has a blog of all the food she eats :)
Lab Alumni
Sujith Sudagani
Biochemistry and Biotechnology Master’s Student
Sujith recently finished his Master’s in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at UMSL. He has a Bachelor's degree from India, and is interested in cancer biology. Sujith aims to pursue a Ph.D. in the field after completing his Master’s. He studied pollen germination and viability under different temperatures with the goal of having a strong foundation for future research.
Colleen Hayes
Biology Master’s Student
Colleen just finished her Master’s in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at UMSL. She earned her B.S. in Agricultural Science at Truman State and had previously worked at Bayer Crop Science. In the Marchant Lab, Colleen worked on floral development in Commelina communis. When not in the lab, Colleen enjoys reading, gardening, and playing video games.
Michael Hayes
Biology PhD Student
Michael is a 1st year PhD student with a specific focus in pollen morphology and development. He got his associates in STEM from Saint Louis Community College and his bachelor's in biology from Webster University. Michael has spent most of his life surrounded by plants. From growing up on a blueberry farm, to working on USDA grants focusing on urban orchards in his undergraduate, most of his life has involved plants somehow. His recent interests include sorghum anthers and pollen variation among varieties as well as the relationship of plant species anther size to their pollen amounts and morphology. He spends his free time fishing, hiking, thrifting funny shirts, creekin' (the act of playing in a creek), antiquing, reading old medical books, and going to art shows.
Pratikshya Chalise
Biology PhD Student
Pratikshya Chalise is a PhD student at UMSL, currently pursuing doctoral research in the Marchant Lab, Department of Biology. With a strong background in plant systematics, herbarium, anatomy, ecology and conservation; she brings a deep knowledge and a passion for botanical discovery to the lab. Prior to joining this program, she worked as a Researcher at the National Herbarium and Plant Laboratories, Nepal (KATH); where she was working plant taxonomy, and anatomical studies of native flora. She has several scientific publications and has also reported some new records for the Flora of Nepal. In the Marchant Lab, she is working on the anther evolution and phylogeny of the order Commelinales. Passionate about advancing knowledge and fostering innovation, she brings a global perspective and interdisciplinary approach to the lab’s mission.
Jessi Kreder
Biology PhD Student
Jessi is a 2nd-year PhD student with an interest in anther development and morphology. She has been interested in botany ever since her first plant biology class in high school. She attended Millikin University, where she completed her BS in biology with an emphasis on botany. While at Millikin, she studied microplastic degradation using fungi. Currently in the Marchant lab, she is working to make a species of the Commelinaceae family a new model plant used for investigating male fertility. She loves to read, spend time with family and friends, hike, work on her garden, and spend time with her adorable pets.