Dr. Lydia ZegliN

Professor of Microbial Ecology
University Outstanding Scholar
Principal Investigator

So many microbes, so little time...
lzeglin at ksu.edu
Office 785-532-5579

CV (pdf)
Google Scholar
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*some team members have given permission for their contact info to be shared, so prospectives can contact them independently for info about the lab.

Dr. michaela halsey

Lab Manager, Staff Scientist
Ph.D. 2021 Biology, Texas Tech University
 M.S. 2013 Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology, Frostburg State University
B.S. 2011 Wildlife Biology, Frostburg State University
*mhalsey0 at ksu.edu

Microbial and eukaryote biodiversity and ecosystem function

David roberts

Ph.D. Candidate
B.S. 2021 and M.S. 2023 Environmental Science, University of Texas San Antonio
*davidroberts at ksu.edu

Land-use and hydrological influences on microbiome structure and function in non-perennial streams

Claire Utzman

Ph.D. Student
B.S. 2019 Microbiology, M.S. 2023 Ecology, University of Montana
*crutzman at ksu.edu

Drying-rewetting dynamics of microbial structure and function in non-perennial streams

MORGAN GILL 

Ph.D. Student
B.S. 2024 Biology, GIS Certificate; M.S. 2026 Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology concentration, Appalachian State University
*mrgill at ksu.edu

Microbial biodiversity and soil health in cropped systems and rangelands

MICHELLE THOMPSON

B.S. student in Biology, Kansas State University
*michel46 at ksu.edu

Biomass dynamics of microbial mats from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

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  LAb alumni

Emely Abreu

B.S. student in Biological Sciences, Union College
*abreuemely23 at gmail.com

Intraseasonal chlorophyll dynamics of microbial mats from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica;
REU, Summer 2026

Amy winstead

M.S. 2026, Kansas State University
B.S. 2019 Biological Sciences and Chemistry, University of South Carolina
*aewinste at ksu.edu

Soil health interpretation, plant-soil responses to fire and grazing
Currently: Graduate Student, KSU Geology

Dr. max zaret

Postdoctoral Researcher
Ph.D. 2023 Ecology Evolution Behavior, University of Minnesota
B.A. 2018 Biology, Indiana University
*zaret at ksu.edu

Grazing effects on microbial community assembly and N cycling function
Currently: Environmental Scientist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 

laura van bergeijk

Research Technician
B.S. 2024, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Kansas State University
*lauravanbergeijk11 at gmail.com

Algal-bacterial associations in non-perennial streams, microbial diversity
Currently: Graduate Student, University of Montana 

Rain Grace

Konza Prairie LTER REU, 2024
B.S. Conservation Biology, 2025, Kansas State University
*rainm at ksu.edu

Indigenous plant restoration

alicia pham

Aquatic Intermittency REU, 2024
B.S. Student, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas
*aliciapham02 at ku.edu

Stream flow permanence and microbial C cycling activity

Xoie Blackburn

B.S. 2026, Conservation Biology, Kansas State University
*xavierb at ksu.edu

Microbial and ecosystem ecology

Rob maldonado flores

B.S. 2026, Human Health Biology, Kansas State University
*rmaldonadoflores at ksu.edu

Antimicrobial resistance in stream biofilms of urbanized and forested watersheds
Currently: MPH student, Kansas State University

janeth morales miramontes

A.S. Student, Garden City Community College
B.S. 2026, Human Health Biology, Kansas State University

Human and One Health and soil biodiversity

​Matthew NiEland

Ph.D. Biology, 2023
*nielandm at ksu.edu

Soil microbial and ecosystem recovery from chronic fertilization
Currently: USDA Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Brett nave, Jr.

M.S. Biology, 2023
*bnave at ksu.edu

Microbial population dynamics in intermittent streams
Currently: Next-Generation Sequencing Scientist, Colgate-Palmolive

Nico vega Anguiano

M.S. Biology, 2023
*nicova at ksu.edu

Bison and cattle impacts on grassland soil microbial and ecosystem properties
Currently: Helitack Crew, US Forest Service, Angeles National Forest

kiona (freeman) SHIRLEY

MLA, Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning 2023
B.S. Biology (Conservation Biology) 2021
*kionaf at ksu.edu

Soil microbial diversity and landscape conservation, urban soil quality
Currently: Landscape Architect at DLR Group

Brooke Vogt

B.S. Chemistry and Biochemistry 2023
*bv32 at ksu.edu

Lab technician, water and soil quality (chemistry) and microbial activity, 2022-2023
Currently: PhD Candidate, Division of Biology, Kansas State University

Caroline GatSchet

B.S. Biology (Cellular and Molecular Biology) 2022
*gatchetcaroline at ksu.edu

Field and lab technician, soil microbial responses to grassland management, 2023
Currently: Associate Ecologist, Ricketts Conservation Foundation

​​Janaye (Hanschu) FIgge

M.S. KU EEB/KBS, 2022
B.S. K-State Biology, 2017
*jhanschu at ksu.edu
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Lab technician, 2022-2023; ​Stream microbial diversity and activity field and lab technician with us from 2017-2019 as well :) and 2016 REU: N availability effects on belowground carbon dynamics

Currently: Water chemistry technician for Konza Prairie LTER, KSU

Rissa Garcia-Prudencio

REPS Student, 2021-2022
B.S. Environmental Science, Haskell Indian Nations University 2020
*rissagp at nmsu.edu

Bison and cattle grazing effects on dominant plant-fungal associations
Currently: M.S. student at New Mexico State University (GRFP fellow)

Diana diaz

REU student, summer 2021
B.S. Biology, minor in Chemistry, Florida Gulf Coast University 2022
*ddiaz2832 at eagle.fgcu.edu

Land-use effects on aquatic microbial diversity and nutrient limitation
Currently: Graduate student in Biomedical Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Jaide (allenbrand) Hawkins

M.S. Biology, 2020
*jallenbr at g.emporia.edu
​
​ Soil microbial responses to bison grazing across the Great Plains,
fire and grazing effects on microbial dispersal and activity

Currently: PhD. Student in Biology, Washington State University

Christine Carson (CC)

M.S. Biology, 2017
*chrisstinee at gmail.com

​Ecology education and outreach, seasonality of soil microbial diversity, soil microbial responses to long-term manipulation of nitrogen availability

Currently: Sales/Marketing Manager at SimBio, Missoula, MT

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Rebecca Malanchuk

B.S. Microbiology, 2017
*bmal31 at gmail.com

Currently: Analytical Technician, ​BioCheck LTD

​Victoria Floyd

B.S. Biology: Pre-Med/Gerontology, 2017
*vwfloyd95 at gmail.com

Impact of annual burning and N addition on grassland soil enzyme expression
Currently: Physician Assistant, Mountain Park Health Center, AZ

​Emmi Mueller

K-State Biology REU, 2016
*emamuell at iu.edu

Prevalence of copiotrophic bacteria in grassland soils
with contrasting land management and N availability
Currently: Postdoc in Freshwater Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee



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Katherine Culbertson

K-State Biology REU and research aide, 2015 and 2019; B.S. EEB Harvard University, 2019
*katculbertson14 at gmail.com

Heterogeneity of ​organic matter processing in stream biofilms
​Currently: PhD in Environmental Science & Public Policy at UC-Berkeley

​Dr. Allison Veach

Postdoctoral Associate, Biology, 2015
*allison.veach at utsa.edu

Microbial diversity and function in aquatic and terrestrial environments

Currently: Associate Professor at University of Texas San Antonio

Updated August 2026