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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.

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)

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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

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Dylan McMullen

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Anna Lavering

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Logan Gren

Bio coming soon

Jacob Munger

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Aidan Blair

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Parker Smith

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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