Louisiana State University Department of Biological Sciences

Our group

People

We bring together interests in plant biology, fungal ecology, genetics, and metabolomics to understand the chemistry of living systems.

Jordan Dowell

Assistant Professor of Biology

Jordan Dowell

My research interests include metabolomics, quantitative genetics, and evolutionary ecology.

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Melanie Madrigal

PhD Candidate

Melanie Madrigal

My research focuses on how host-pathogen interactions shape necrotrophic fungal diversity and plant specialized metabolites.

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Lori Pradhan

PhD Candidate

Lori Pradhan

My research interests involve the evolution of host preference and growth-defense trade-offs in fungal plant pathogens.

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Life in the lab

Good science.
Good company.

Field days, greenhouse experiments, poster sessions, and a little time to celebrate. A glimpse of the people and everyday moments behind our research.

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A group selfie taken during fieldwork.
The field crew, June 2025.
A researcher wearing gloves tending potted sunflower plants.
Working with sunflowers in the greenhouse, October 2025.
Students and mentors smiling together at Discover Day.
Supporting our undergraduate researchers, April 2026.
Lab members smiling around a table with food and gifts.
A December gathering around the table, 2025.