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College of Life Sciences Biology
Klabacka Lab

People

Who we are

Randy Klabacka (PI)

randy_klabacka
I am an assistant professor of Biology at BYU, where I teach intro bio, animal diversity, and evolution courses and lead research in molecular evolution and bioenergetics in reptiles. When I'm not teaching or doing research, I enjoy going on outdoor adventures with my family (especially to look for cool wildlife), playing sports with friends, and enjoying good company.

Jordan Kirk

I am a recent graduate from BYU where I earned a bachelor's in Biology. I have always been curious about life and the many forms it takes, particularly when I was young when I developed a fascination for reptiles in the Mojave Desert around Las Vegas, Nevada. I enjoy studying the ecology of reptiles and amphibians, and I hope to study this further in graduate school in the future. I have participated in projects investigating sexual dimorphism in kingsnakes as well as New Mexico whiptail population genetics to name a few. When I am not doing research I enjoy playing sports with friends, swimming, reading and camping and fishing among other things.

Sadie Hale

I am an undergraduate student at BYU studying Bioinformatics, with an interest in ecology and evolution. I grew up in Beavercreek, Ohio, and Henderson, Nevada, and have been passionate about biology since I was young. Outside of my studies, I enjoy kayaking, longboarding, playing pickleball, and I am always eager to try something new. I have been in the KLab since February 2025, and am excited about the upcoming projects we have lined up.

Austin Rejcek

I am an undergrad studying Biodiversity & Conservation at BYU. I am interested in behavioral and evolutionary ecology, species interactions, and conservation. In the future I have plans of attending grad school to pursue a career in research. In my free time I enjoy birding, collecting bugs, herping, and music composition/performance. I joined the Klabacka lab in February 2025.

Christian Furness

Christian is starting his Ph.D. in Fall 2025. He completed his B.Sc. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Utah, and at BYU plans to work on phylogenetics/biogeography in Southeast Asian herpetofauna.

Arianna Moore

Bio coming soon

Lab Alumni

Candice Johnson - University of Kansas Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology PhD Program
Seun Onileowo - Auburn University Biology PhD Program (starting fall 2025)
Dante Celani
Reagan McKee - University of Colorado Computer Science PhD Program
David Bean - University of Utah Biomedical Informatics MS Program
Baylee Christensen - University of Wyoming Biology PhD Program (starting fall 2025)
Erin Bunch
Angelina Romero - Brigham Young University, Hawaii undergraduate student
Alexander Everett - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Dallin Matthews - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Rixon Doman - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Laisha Noyes - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Vicente Fernández Lara - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Dustin Kolste - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Syrus Miner - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Álvaro Osuna Jiménez - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Zach Christiansen - Utah Tech University undergraduate student