Megan Freiler – Megan studied how species diversity in sociality in electric fish was associated with how fish use their electrocommunication signals and how sociality and social experience influenced expression of genes for neuromodulator receptors in electrosensory brain regions that allow fish to perceive each others’ electrocommunication signals. Megan received her Ph.D. in 2023, was postdoctoral researcher in Mark Bee’s laboratory at the University of Minnesota, and is now a postdoctoral researcher in Karen Mesce’s laboratory at the University of Minnesota.

Melissa (Misty) Proffitt – Misty studied how species variation in the expression of steroid-related genes in the pacemaker nucleus of ghost knifefishes was related to species diversity in the hormonal control and sexual dimorphism of electrocommunication signals. Misty received her Ph.D. in 2022. She was a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Elizabeth Derryberry at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and is currently a Research Scientist at Crown Laboratories.

Jakki Petzold – Jakki studied how species covariation in the structure of EOD waveform, EOD frequency, and chirps influenced the conspicuousness and discriminability of chirps in noisy social environments. Jakki received her Ph.D. in 2016 and is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Center for Postsecondary Research in the Indiana University School of Education.

Winnie Ho – Winnie studied variation in the sexual dimorphism and hormonal control of EODs and chirps in different populations of black ghost knifefishes. Winnie received her Ph.D. in 2013. She was a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratories of Stacy Smith at the University of Colorado and Jeff Riffell at the University of Washington. She was also a lecturer at the University of Washington. Winnie is now an instructor at Mount Tamalpais College.

Karen Bohorquez – Karen studied how social experience influenced gonadal hormone levels and the use of electrocommunication signals in brown ghost knifefishes. Karen received her M.S. degree in 2013.

Cameron Turner – Cameron studied the diversity of EOD frequency, EOD waveform, and chirp structure in multiple species of ghost knifefishes. Cameron received his M.S. in 2007. Cameron went on to earn a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics at Notre Dame University. He specialized in methods used to analyze environmental DNA and worked for Environmental Sciences Associates in California.

Hanna Kolodziejski – Hanna studied how sex and species differences in neuromodulation by substance P in the prepacemaker nucleus was related to differences in the production of chirps in brown ghost and black ghost knifefishes. Hanna was also interested in the function of electrocommunication signals. Hanna received her Ph.D. in 2007 and went on to her dream job as an Assistant Professor at Keene State College. Hanna lost a valiant battle with cancer in 2009. The Hanna Kolodziejski Fellowship was established to honor Hanna’s interest in the study of animal behavior, her dedication to teaching and mentoring, and her devotion to community service and social justice. For more information about the Hanna Kolodziejski Fellowship or to contribute to the endowment that funds this award, click here.

Antiño Allen – Antiño studied cellular proliferation and recovery of behavioral function following spinal cord injury in electric fish.  Antiño earned his PhD in 2010 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.  He is currently a Professor and Associate Dean for Pipeline and Career Development in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Petra Telgkamp – Petra studied serotonergic neuromodulation of chirping behavior in brown ghost and black ghost knifefishes. Petra held research and teaching positions at Michigan State University and is currently a Research Scientist in Biomedical Engineering at Michigan State.

Adam Smith – Adam used qPCR, transcriptomics, and molecular phylogenetics to study neural gene expression and systematics of knifefishes. Adam is currently a researcher at the University of Iceland.