Members

Gautam Shirsekar, PhD

gshirsek@utk.edu
Assistant professor @UTK
Scholar Citations

Gautam earned his PhD from the Ohio State University before embarking on a research journey to Germany where he worked as post-doctoral scholar at the Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tuebingen. Driven by the curiosity and broad training he received, he is currently focused on illuminating the intricate coevolutionary dynamics between crop wild relatives and their pathogens within their native environments. In the long term, he plans to develop an analytical framework that strategically leverages the untapped genetic heritage found in wild crop ancestors to restrict the emergence of novel and threatening pathogenic strains. Beyond his research endeavors, Gautam is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of plant biologists, equipping them with the skills to uncover the fundamental evolutionary principles governing host-pathogen interactions at both population and genomic levels. This knowledge will be instrumental in forging sustainable and resilient strategies for managing crop diseases in the future.

Anugya Bhattarai

abhatt18@vols.utk.edu
Graduate Research Assistant @UTK

Anugya completed her B.S. Agriculture from Nepal and is now a graduate student in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at UTK. Her research focuses on studying the genetic diversity of wild grape populations and their interaction with the downy mildew pathogen *Plasmopara viticola*. Her project involves extensive sampling across national forests in Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, analyzing both host and pathogen diversity to uncover patterns of co-evolution in the grape-downy mildew pathosystem at the genomic level. She is also testing interactions between different grape populations and pathogen isolates in controlled environments (greenhouse/growth chambers) to identify geographic mosaics of coevolution in the pathosystem. When she is not investigating host-pathogen interactions in the lab or the field or in the computer, you’ll likely find her lost in classic literature, trekking through nature’s wonders, or portraying those wonders on a canvas with colors. A small trivia — She has yet to climb Mount Everest!

Katelyn (Katie) Wood

kwood31@utk.edu
Graduate Research Assistant @UTK


Driven by her roots as a first-generation college student from rural East Tennessee, Katie forged her path to higher education, beginning with the Tennessee Promise at PSTCC before completing her B.B.A. While working at UTK and leveraging employer benefits, she discovered a profound passion for the interconnected fields of ecology, evolution, plant pathology, conservation biology, and bioinformatics. Now, in the CoEvolutionLab, Katie's research delves into the potential impacts of historical anthropogenic activities (logging and settlements) within Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the genetic diversity of native wild grapevines – a pursuit that brings her genuine joy and a strong sense of accomplishment.

Jacob Smith

jsmit619@vols.utk.edu
Research Technician @UTK

Jacob Smith earned his B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research centers on population structure and dynamics, specifically investigating how organismal interactions shape biological patterns across spatial and environmental gradients. Within the CoEvolutionLab, Jacob has developed technical expertise in low-cost whole-genome sequencing (WGS) library preparation, utilizing custom barcodes and optimized in-house protocols. He plays a vital role in managing the lab's germplasm collections—Vitis of Blue Ridge Mountains (VBRiM) and Plasmopara viticola (PvBRiM)—conducting extensive field sampling across East Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. A cornerstone of Jacob's role is his commitment to mentorship; he supervises high school and undergraduate interns in their routine lab work and ecological research. Driven by a passion for science communication, he aims to build a career that seamlessly integrates rigorous scientific inquiry with the education and engagement of the next generation of scientists. Outside of the lab, Jacob is an avid hiker and reader who enjoys exploring the natural beauty of East Tennessee.

Brayden Roberts

brober65@vols.utk.edu
Research Assistant @UTK

Brayden is an undergraduate pursuing a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences with a concentration in Management. Growing up outdoors helped him to be passionate for wildlife conservation. His research interests are in carnivore ecology, avoidance of human-wildlife conflict, and sustainable hunting's conservation function. He has background in vegetation management and is building hands-on experience through field experience in animal behavior, habitat rehabilitation, and ecological surveys (which involes his current stint with us helping Anugya achieve her goals). He aspires to become a wildlife manager who strives for activities that reconcile ecological integrity with human existence.

Karuna Chen

High School Intern

Karuna is a Junior at Farragut High School with a strong interest in biology, ecology, and public health, especially in infectious disease and its ecological connections. Currently, she is gaining experience in plant pathology and molecular biology in the CoEvolutionLab. She studies plant-microbe interactions in wild grape-downy mildew pathosystem and impact on grape plant health due to downy mildew strains in East Tennessee's vineyards. She plans to pursue a career in infectious disease research that would combine field work with laboratory approaches. Outside of the lab, she enjoys digital painting and design.