Interested in joining the Lucky Lab?

Contact me to find out more about undergrad, MS, PhD and postdoctoral positions. If you are motivated, independent, have research experience and are interested in pursuing a degree with a focus on ants, invasion, systematics, population genetics, biodiversity, citizen science or science education send an email with your CV, a description of your interests, and for prospective grad students – two references. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

About Us

The Lucky lab values and fosters a vibrant and welcoming community and we are proud to welcome members with a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives and ideas. Because of our strong commitment to promoting fact- and reason-based objective inquiry in this this lab environment, we unconditionally reject and denounce discrimination, bigotry and hateful rhetoric.

Andrea Lucky, PhD

Email: alucky@ufl.edu | Follow: @Aluckymyrmex

I am an evolutionary biologist and biodiversity scientist with a focus on insects and invasion, and my training is specifically in the evolution of ants. The tools I use range from insect morphology to molecular genetics to phylogenetic statistics to micro-CT scanning. These tools allow me to answer questions about the relationships among different species of ants and the timing of diversification that have led to the distribution patterns we see today. In addition to my research interests, a major goal of my work is to make science accessible and available to the general public, particularly to make the process of ‘doing’ science accessible to non-scientists.

Jason Williams, PhD

Email: jwilli81@ufl.edu | Follow: @JLWilliAnts

My research focus is ant systematics, biogeography, and taxonomy. I am currently resolving difficult taxonomic and evolutionary questions involving the global radiation of the ant genus Nylanderia, which includes over 123 described species across the globe and hundreds more unknown to science. Nylanderia are among the most common ants worldwide and more than a dozen species may threaten biodiversity, human productivity, and health as exotic or invasive pests. My training began with alpha taxonomy, museum collections-based research, and analysis of morphological data. I have since integrated other tools into my skillset, including genome-scale molecular phylogenetics, bioinformatics, and nano-computed tomography (nano-CT) to build three-dimensional models of specimens for geometric morphometric analysis.

Aswaj Punnath (PhD student)

Email: aswajpunnath@ufl.edu 

I am an ant taxonomist with a keen interest in understanding their diversity, evolutionary relationship and behavior. I was working on a research project exploring the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot in India and monitoring the diversity of ants across an elevational gradient. Currently, I’m doing my doctoral studies on the systematic revision of Nylanderia – an invasive ant genus. My research focuses on species delimitation of this cryptic ant genus using molecular tools and nano CT scanning.

Jamie Beach (MS student)

Email: jamiebeach@ufl.edu

I am a currently pursuing a master’s focused on parasitic wasp taxonomy. My project is funded by the UF Field and Fork Farm and Gardens and is conducted under both Dr. Lucky and Elijah Talamas from FDACS. My goal is to create a taxonomic database for the parasitoid wasp superfamily Platygastroidea present on the farm, which can be used in future integrated pest control research.

Jamie Frederick

Email: jlfrederick@ufl.edu 

I have a BA in biochemistry from the University of South Florida. My research interests include population genetics of invasive species, adaptation to biocontrol measures, and natural products discovery. I have an enduring interest in entomology, and I’m currently working on managing the Lucky lab and assisting with research projects as needed.

Lucky lab 2022:

(Back row, from left) Leo Ohyama, Jason Williams, Aswaj Punnath, Kalya Stalcup, Miles Maxcer.

(Front row, from left) Nikita Patel, Ariel Berrean, Andrea Lucky, Maya Saar, VR Seagal.

Postdocs and Graduate Students

• Miles Maxcer (MS 2025)
• Leo Ohyama (PhD 2024)
• Maya Saar (Postdoc, 2020-2022)
• VR Seagal (MSc 2021)
• Miles Zhang (Postdoc, 2018-2020)
• Rachel Atchison (MS 2020)
• Marian Lyman (MS 2018, Online)
• Sedonia Steininger (MS 2015)
• Tyler Vitone (MS 2015)

Undergraduates

• Corbin Puckett
• Athena Conde
• Noie Prouty
• Nikita Patel
• Jack Williams
• Ella O’Brien
• Helen Beiriger
• Kayla Stalcup
• Lexie Nielsen
• Ave Baurle
• Jacob Hornfeldt
• Brandon Mai
• Kathy Arguez
• Andrew Nisip
• Michelle Dunbar
• Evan Waite
• Sage Thompson
• Wes Inman
• Sam Hagman
• Kerrie Durham
• Amanda Anderson
• Ashley Egelie
• Genevieve Comeau
• Walter Winn
• Nathan Duerr
• Constance Darrisaw
• Emily Cabán
• Cassandra Doll
• Gabe Somarriba
• Katie Carroll
• Sara Alvarez
• James Pinkney
• Keara Clancy

Lab Managers

• Ariel Berrean

CURE Course Students

• Athena Conde
• Christian Estevez
• Eddie Humphries
• Davis Judd
• Dagny Kaye
• Avery Roe
• Sabrina Scothorn
• Tabby Vincentsen

Artists-In-Residence

• Madeline Job (2014-2015)
• Brielle Jenkins (2015-2016)

The Insects Alive 3-D Insects-in-Art team (2016-2017)

• Shimul Chowdhry
• Jason Cochran
• Ediel Dominguez
• Annie Gormaley

Joshua Hildebrandt

Anthropology Major & Entomology Minor

We lost Josh in September, 2016. He was a friend, a mentor, and a bright light to all of us. He is missed and remembered.