Hannah E. Marx, PhD (She/her)

Assistant Professor & Herbarium Curator

I joined the Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico in January 2021 as Assistant Professor and Curator of the Herbarium at the Museum of Southwestern Biology.

My interest in research began while taking a plant systematics course taught by Dr. Richard Olmstead as an undergraduate at the University of Washington. My first project was to infer the molecular phylogeny of the plant family Verbenaceae, using chloroplast and nuclear sequence data.

Since then, I have worked as a lab technician, a field assistant surveying conifer encroachment into meadows, and participated in a variety of plant surveys and collecting trips. Through these experiences, I became fascinated with the diversity of muti-species assemblages in ecological communities. I received my PhD in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of Idaho in 2016, working with Dr. David Tank to disentangle diversity patterns in island systems using phylogenetic approaches.

International research collaborations introduced me to approaches for addressing ecological and evolutionary drivers of community phylogenetic diversity at macro-ecological scales. For my postdoctoral research I focused on finer levels of diversity, using functional genomics to decipher mechanisms that link genes to phenotypes in natural plant communities. 

Outside of the lab, I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including backpacking, skiing, running, biking, and watching Zia (lab pup in training) explore the world. Continually botanizing, I love photographing plants on my adventures.

Postdocs

Elizabeth ("Lizzie") M. Lombardi (she/her)

Postdoctoral Fellow

Website: https://elizabethlombardi.weebly.com/

Twitter: @EcoPlantViruses 

I joined the Marx lab in Fall 2022 after completing my doctoral work with Dr. Alison Power in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Cornell University. Before that I worked as a lab manager for Dr. Daniel Doak at the University of Colorado, where I also earned my undergraduate degree.

Since switching my major from international economy to ecolog, I have had the good fortune to work across multiple biological disciplines. My core interests and the fire that keeps my curiosity burning, however, lies in my admiration of alpine plants. I am currently pursuing a project to determine if and how the extended specimen concept may provide insight into emerging pathogens in alpine plant hosts. In particular, I am working on characterizing plant virus communities in historical plant specimens. 

Graduate Students

Joseph Kleinkopf (he/him)

Phd student: Biology (Fall 2021)

Website: https://jkleinkopf.com

I am a PhD student interested in the patterns and processes underlying the evolution of plants, specifically in alpine and island systems.

I previously earned my MS at Washington State University in the Roalson Lab using phylogenomics to better understand the diversification of Hawaiian Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae). At UNM, I am excited to work with phylogenetic tools to explore the plant biodiversity of alpine communities. Prior to arriving in Albuquerque, I taught science to middle school students in Olympia, WA. My experience as a teacher made clear the importance of science outreach, and I am interested in continuing to make science accessible and approachable for K-12 students.

Outside of science, I enjoy spending time outdoors and playing fetch with my dog Charlie.

Bryana Olmeda (they/them)

MS student: Biology (Fall 2022)

Twitter: @botanybro

I joined the Marx Lab Fall 2022 as a Master’s Student focusing on New Mexico flora. I will be conducting a floristic inventory in New Mexico to broaden our understandings of the plant diversity. My research interests include floristics, conservation, restoration, and education.

I earned my undergraduate degree at California State University, Long Beach where I worked with Dr. Amanda Fisher. I developed a love for botany and herbaria working at the LOB Herbarium. In 2019, I worked as a contractor for the Chicago Botanic Garden collecting native seed, mainly from the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion of New Mexico. Through this position, I learned how extraordinary New Mexico flora is, but also how little is known about the plant diversity. Since then, I have worked as a curatorial assistant at the California Botanic Garden and have many years’ experience working in wetland restoration as a Restoration Field Technician.

In my free time, I love spending time with my family and singing along to my favorite songs. I enjoy bouldering, roller skating, and going on walks. Let’s build community!

Erin Berkowitz (she/her)

MS student: Museum Studies (Fall 2022)

I am a MS student with an interest in botany and natural history collections. I’m specifically interested in the use of herbarium specimens as spatiotemporal data used to identify patterns and predict changes in our environment.

I have a BS in Biology and several seasons of botany related field experience. The past five years I worked at the herbarium at California Botanic Garden (RSA) overseeing specimen preparation and performing curatorial tasks. My love of collections grew during my time working in an herbarium and has revealed to me the value and potential within natural history collections.

In my free time I enjoy walking/hiking with my dog Lou, going to the movies, listening to podcasts, and thrifting!

Undergraduate Students

Jeremiah Westerman (he/him)

Undergraduate: Biology (Summer 2022)

I am interested in how pollinators effect community assembly and maintain floral diversity in the alpine.

Pups in Training

Zia

Zia joined the lab in March, 2021. She loves sniffing and eating plants, meeting new people and new pups, and running after squirrels, lizards, and balls. She is looking forward to her first field season next year.

Prospective Students & Postdocs

Contact Dr. Marx (hmarx[at]unm.edu) with inquiries about positions in the lab.