People
Who we are
Randy Klabacka (PI)
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.
Christian Furness (PhD Student)
I am a 1st year PhD student interested in Southeast Asian squamate biodiversification. I will be utilizing phylogenetics and biogeography to investigate what factors may affect genetic differences in differing evolutionary lineages using skinks as a model organism. I did my undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, where I double majored in Biology and Chinese. All of my undergraduate research experience was in arthropods, ranging from insects (ants and mosquitos) to crustaceans (isopods). I was born and primarily raised in Kaohsiung, Taiwan but have also lived in Canada, China, and Utah. My hobbies include fly fishing, scuba diving, bug collecting, and I have started dabbling in macro wildlife photography.
Ethan Livingston (PhD Student)
Blurb coming soon
Kennedy Hunter (MS Student)
Blurb coming soon
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.
Gavin Kohl
I’m an undergraduate at BYU studying Biodiversity & Conservation, with a specific interest in population and evolutionary ecology, as well as conservation. Since I can remember I’ve always had an almost innate love for reptiles, especially snakes. In my free time, I enjoy creative writing, reading, and playing board/video games. I joined the Klabacka Lab in September 2025, and look forward to learning more about the ins-and outs of scientific research (and herps!)
McKinley Baker
I am an undergraduate studying Biology at BYU with interests in molecular biology, evolution, and genetics. I grew up in Texas and Alaska, having exposure to many different biological systems from a young age. Outside of my studies, I enjoy reading, photography, art, jiu-jitsu, and bug collecting. I joined the Klabacka lab in October 2025 and am currently examining the structural interactions of variable mitonuclear gene products in hybrid unisexual lizards.
Ella Kinney
I am an undergraduate student at BYU studying Bioinformatics, with an interest in genetics and evolution. I am from Plano Texas. I loved spending time outside and have always been curious about the world around me. Outside of my studies, I enjoy baking/cooking new things, hiking, and taking care of my plants. I have been in the KLab since January 2026, where I am working on a project to assemble a triploid genome of a hybrid lizard. I am excited and eager to learn more about the projects in the lab and learn how to navigate scientific research as a future career.
Perry Van Wagoner
I am an undergraduate at BYU studying Bioinformatics. I am interested in using computational biology to better understand species. In the future I plan to attend medical school to pursue study in anesthesiology. Outside of the lab I love to spend time with my wife doing fun activities and trying all kinds of new food. I started in the Klabacka lab in January 2026, where I am using genomics to understand the evolution and dispersal patterns in native and non-native populations of whiptail lizards.
Gavin Smith
Blurb coming soon
Alex Ivester
I am an undergraduate biology student with a strong interest in mitochondrial physiology. I love learning just about anything, freestyle skiing, traveling, and spicy food. Since I started working with Dr. Klabacka in December 2025, I have studied how flight behavior predicts mitochondrial function in Dragonflies, and how an asexual lizard's ancestry may be negatively affecting its ability to generate ATP. I plan on attending medical school and seeing what comes next!
Dylan McMullen
I’m an undergraduate at BYU in the Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation Major, with interest in managing wildlife populations, behavioral ecology, and in all animals in general. I’m from California and spent a lot of my time in the Redwood forests, and down at the Monterey Peninsula, where I grew to love nature and every animal I could find. I want to dedicate my future career to protecting the Earth’s wild places! I enjoy camping, being around animals, cooking, and science fiction. I’ve been in the Klabacka Lab since Fall 2025, where I’ve loved learning about the biology and morphology of lizards, and I’m excited to learn more.
Anna Lavering
I am an undergraduate student at BYU studying Bioinformatics. I am interested in genetics and molecular biology and hope to pursue these interests after graduating from BYU. In my free time I love hiking, reading, crafting, and paddleboarding. I started in the Klabacka lab in March 2026, where I currently do molecular work extracting and amplifying DNA for popgen and phylogenetic research. I am excited to further contribute to the research done in this lab.
Logan Gren
Bio coming soon
Jacob Munger
I am an undergraduate at BYU studying Biodiversity and Conservation, with strong interests in evolutionary and behavioral ecology. I currently work with whiptail lizards. I love learning about and being around animals, and in my spare time, you can find me searching for bugs, birds, reptiles, or any other creature that crosses my path. When I’m not in the great outdoors looking for wildlife, I’m probably watching sports or spending time with friends and family.
Aidan Blair
Blurb coming soon
Parker Smith
Blurb coming soon
Lab Alumni
Jordan Kirk - USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
Arianna Moore - LDS missionary
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 - Cal State Channel Islands Biotechnology & Bioinformatics MS Program
Dallin Matthews - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Rixon Doman - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Laisha Noyes - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Vicente Fernández Lara - University of Oviedo Health and Environmental Technology MS program
Dustin Kolste - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Syrus Miner - Utah Tech University undergraduate student
Álvaro Osuna Jiménez - BYU undergraduate student
Zach Christiansen - Utah Tech University undergraduate student