People

Lab Photo 2021
That dog does not belong to any of us

Michael L. Smith
Assistant Professor at Auburn University
Affiliate Member of the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
Postdoctoral Fellow, Collective Behavior – Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior / University of Konstanz
Ph.D., Neurobiology and Behavior – Cornell University
A.B., Molecular Biology – Princeton University
Michael is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University. He’s interested in how honey bee colonies function, how their nests are organized, and how individual bees detect the developmental state of their colony.
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Jitesh Jhawar
Postdoctoral Researcher
Ph.D., Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
M.Tech, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
B.Tech, Department of Biotechnology, Madhav Institute of Technology and Science, Gwalior
Jitesh is a Postdoctoral Researcher investigating the role of heterogeneity amongst individuals in the dynamics of collective behavior. He uses a composite approach, involving mathematical modeling and advanced data analysis techniques such as non-linear dimensionality reduction. His broad goal is to identify commonalities and differences across scales of living organisms, from honey bees to human cells. Jitesh is based in Konstanz, and works with an interdisciplinary team of physicists and experimental biologists, based in Konstanz, Bristol, and Auburn.
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Peter R. Marting
Postdoctoral Researcher
Ph.D., Animal Behavior, Arizona State University
M.A., Biological Sciences, University of Missouri – Columbia
B.S., Biological Sciences, University of Missouri - Columbia
Peter is a creative behavioral ecologist interested in collective behavior, environmental effects, species interaction, and natural history. He takes a highly integrative approach to exploring mechanisms and consequences of behavior by incorporating fieldwork, digital tools, genetic analysis, metabolic measurements, and microbiomics.
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Prathibha P. Chandran
Ph.D. Researcher - joined 2021
B.S./M.S., Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, India

Ethan Rowe
Ph.D. Researcher - joined 2021
B.S., Zoology, University of Wyoming
Claire S. Bailey

Undergraduate Researcher
B.A. in Organismal Biology, Auburn University, expected graduation May 2023
Maritza R. Spott

Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. in Software Engineering, Auburn University, expected graduation May 2023
This could be you!

Postdoctoral Researcher
Ph.D., bla bla bla
B.A., bla bla bla
Or this!

Ph.D. Researcher
B.A., bla bla bla
…or maybe this!

Undergraduate Researcher
B.A. in Biology - Auburn University, expected graduation XXXX
The Smith Bee Lab officially OPENED at Auburn University on January 1st 2021. We are currently accepting applications at all levels. Learn more