About The Lab

Our lab's research interests are largely driven by the same fundamental theme in science that has captivated researchers for generations—how and why species evolve. Our lab is interested in using genetic patterns to understand evolutionary processes associated with terrestrial biodiversity on our planet, largely focused on amphibians and reptiles. My program takes a broad, multifaceted approach to understanding biodiversity, including investigating the evolution of morphology and body-form, patterns of diversification, cryptic diversity, and speciation in island archipelago systems. Additionally, we have a growing number of initiatives aimed at applied conservation initiatives in areas of wildlife management, microbiomics, and emerging infectious amphibian and reptile diseases.

About Cameron Siler

I am the Curator of Herpetology at the Sam Noble Museum and an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, both at the University of Oklahoma. Being associated directly with an internationally recognized natural history museum, my lab pursues many collection-based research efforts, with studies of macroevolutionary processes balanced with involvement in regional, national, and global collaborations in the broader fields of biodiversity research, education, and conservation. I welcome interdisciplinary research collaborations, and continue to develop international research initiatives that integrate studies of bioinformatics, biodiversity, education, and conservation between U.S. and Asian institutions. Additionally, my lab has developed a strong regional biodiversity conservation program in Oklahoma. I actively strive to involve undergraduate and graduate students in my research program, from laboratory-based research to involvement in international biodiversity expeditions.

Lab Members

Jessa Watters

Jessa is the collection manager of the amphibian and reptile collection at the Sam Noble Museum. She received her masters degree from the University of New Hampshire. She is actively involved in numerous education outreach programs and is working collaboratively on a number of research projects in our lab. Jessa has been at the Sam Noble Museum since 2009.

Website / LinkedIn

Sierra Smith

Sierra joined the Siler Lab in Fall 2016, as an undergraduate researcher. Since since then she has transition to a PhD in Fall 2019, with a research on the interactions between invasive species, disease, and microbial skin communities in herps. In January 2020 she embarked on a Fulbright Fellowship to the Philippines.

Website

Forrest Nielsen

Forrest joined the Siler Lab in the summer of 2022 as a MS student. He is interested in the population ecology and conservation of threatened herpetofauna. His research will focus on using soft-release methods to augment a local Texas Horned Lizard population with captive-raised hatchlings.

Website

Cameron Forehand

Cameron joined the Siler Lab as a Masters Student in the Fall of 2022. Her passion for herpetology and conservation biology led her to join the lab, where her research focuses on optimizing a headstart and release program for Texas horned lizards.

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Julianne Li

Julianne joined the Siler Lab in Spring 2022 for the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) Program and is an undergraduate majoring in Biology. She is now working as a collection assistance and completing her Honors Thesis in our department.

Website

Emma Franklin

Emma joined the Siler Lab in the Spring of 2022 as a Texas horned lizard field tech. She is an undergraduate senior majoring in Biology. She plans to pursue a graduate degree to further her knowledge and passion for Genetics

Website / LinkedIn

Xavi Molina

Xavissa Molina is a Sophomore Microbiology major who joined us as a volunteer in Spring 2023. With her previous work with crocodiles in Belize, she is jumping into more herpetology with us! In Summer 2023, Xavi moved into a position as a collection assistant.

Website

Jack Chlebanowski

Jack is sophomore majoring in Paleontology and wants to study dinosaur behavior, who joins the Siler Lab as a collection volunteer and a Texas Horned Lizard research technician.

Website

Trinity Cordry

Trinity is an undergraduate who is majoring in Biology on the pre-PA track. She joins the Siler Lab in Spring 2023 as a volunteer.

Website

Yamillet Escamilla

Yamillet is currently an OU undergraduate majoring in Biology; she joined the Siler Lab in Summer 2023 as a volunteer.

Website

Haven Powell

Haven joined the Siler Lab in Summer 2023 as an undergraduate volunteer. She is a senior at OU majoring in Biology with a passion for conservation. Along with collections assistance, she also volunteers with the Texas Horned Lizard conservation program.

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Hannah Le

Hannah is an undergraduate student majoring in chemical biosciences with a minor biology; she joined the Siler Lab in Fall 2023 as a volunteer.

Website

Owen Scott

Owen is an undergraduate majoring in Biology. He joined as a Siler Lab volunteer in Fall 2023.

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Jordon Henderson

Post-bacc Research Technician, Undergrad Field Assistant, Volunteer

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Cait Hudgens

Undergrad Field Assistant, Volunteer

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Braydon Groff

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Claudia Goss

Undergrad Field/Lab Assistant, Volunteer

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Carmen Lessani

Undergrad Volunteer

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Gracie Hedgpeth

Undergrad Field/Lab Assistant, Volunteer

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Emma Clary

Undergrad Field Assistant, HRAP Student, Volunteer

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Sydney Phan

Undergrad Volunteer

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Katherine Stroh

Undergrad Honors Thesis Researcher, HRAP student, Volunteer, Post-bacc Research Technician/NSF intern

Website

Isiah Caldwell

Undergrad Volunteer

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Sam Eliades

PhD student, graduated 2022

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Kai Wang

MS/PhD student, graduated 2021

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Will Hanson-Regan

Undergrad Field Assistant

Website

Bryce Messer

Undergrad Volunteer

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Kenzie Hanna

FYRE student, HRAP student, Undergrad Honors Thesis Researcher

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Jed Casauay

Undergrad Honors Thesis Researcher

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Miranda Vesy

MS Student, graduated July 2020

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Elyse Freitas

PhD Student, graduated May 2020

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Ethan Kelley

Volunteer

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Joey Brown

Masters Student, graduated July 2019

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Stephanie Maguire

Undergrad Field Assistant, Honors Thesis Researcher

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Austin Carriere

Undergrad Field Assistant, Volunteer

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Tanner Ortery

Undergrad Field Assistant, Volunteer

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Sarah Swiston

Undergrad Field Assistant, Volunteer

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Shelby McMillin

Undergrad Honors Thesis Researcher, Volunteer

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Liza Marhanka

Undergrad McNairs Scholar Researcher, Volunteer

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Michelle Penrod

Undergrad Honors Thesis Researcher, FYRE student

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Marie Labonte

Undergrad Honors Thesis Researcher, FYRE student

Website

Contact

Have questions about the lab, our research, or getting involved? Get in touch with us. We look forward to hearing from you!

Phone

Main 405.227.4123
Lab 405.325.7771
Fax N/A

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