Welcome to the Nabity Lab

Plants respond to their surroundings in unique and often predictable ways. How plants alter their phenotype in response to stress, and why this response evolved are the major foci for the lab. In particular, we focus on the induction of defenses when herbivores or parasites attack, dramatic phenotypic change as occurs when galls are induced, and also how rapidly changing climate can modify plant physiology and morphology in ways that then alter interactions with both antagonist and mutualist insects. Ultimately, we seek to understand:

1. What genes and processes determine inducible phenotypes,
2. How do arthropods avoid or tolerate plant defensive phenotypes,
3. What gene networks coordinate complex inducible phenotypes, such as those that occur during gall formation, and
4. How are induced changes in the plant adaptive for either the plant or insect?​

One current project focuses on a subset of insects within the Phylloxeridae, an understudied insect family of high trait diversity. These insects largely occur in the eastern US but many free-living species are found on oaks here in California. We are collaborating with our growing phylloxerid working group to resolve the interactions among these insects and their host plants.

We also look across taxa to improve our understanding of how root and shoot feeding herbivores successfully colonize and modify their host phenotypes. Although the initial focus is on two agricultural systems, the wooly aphid-apple and the phylloxera-grape interactions, we are broadly interested in how insects co-opt plant form and function.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS!!
If you are interested in learning molecular or computational techniques, we do have positions in the lab for volunteers. Please contact me with your CV and interest in the lab: pauln[at]ucr.edu
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Interested in Graduate School?
The Nabity lab is accepting graduate students interested in using molecular techniques to answer ecological questions. There are immediate openings for individuals fascinated by galling insects, plant gene expression, and genome curation. Those with strong records and interest should contact me with the following:

• CV
• specific research interests
• AND why my lab is a good fit

Failure to address the lab specifically, or generic cover letters may be over looked and not receive a response. Additional information can be found here.

POSTDOCS should contact me if you are interested in working together to apply for external funding. There are NO open funding opportunities in the lab, but external funding agencies can be viewed here. 

an artistic interpretation of the lab's research, copyright Robert Mitchell, chemical ecologist extraordinaire.

Apple orchards in spring can be a quite peaceful.