Dr. Nunez is an Assistant Professor of Biology and population geneticist interested in understanding the genetic basis of adaptation. Learn more about his work by clicking here, or visiting his UVM profile or ORCID profile.

Katie is the Lab Manager of the Nunez Lab. She began working as a lab technician in the Biology Department at the University of Vermont in 2017, after completing her studies in environmental science at NVU-Johnson. She is an avid gardener, reader, and amateur forager.

Andrew is an NSF GRFP fellow. His research focuses on the adaptive responses of marine organisms to multifactorial stressors. He uses echinoderms to investigate selection responses to thermal and immune stressors. 

Kit is interested in the genetics and ecology of how invasive insects adapt to new environments. Kit will be leading several projects focusing on Drosophila suzukii as a study system.

Luke Proud is a bioinformatician in the lab. He analyzes genomic data to investigate footprints of seasonal selection in Drosophila melanogaster, focusing on the In(2L)t inversion in European populations. He contributes to the efforts of the DEST project.

Sebastian is a technician in the lab, providing support to multiple projects focused on seasonal evolution and genomics in Drosophila.

Emma is a 2025 Summer Research Fellow investigating the genetic basis of salinity acclimation on marine organisms. She is exploring the organismal and developmental cost of variations in salinity using green sea urchins. Emma is the recipient of a 2024 APLE award from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Olin is a 2025 Summer Research Fellow. He will be examining thermal tolerance in embryos of overwintering Drosophila.

Devon is a 2025 PLHC Professional Development Fellow. She'll be examining the neurobiology of temperature-dependent food choice in Drosophila.

Jack is an undergraduate researcher majoring in Biology. He is exploring various aspects of Drosophila population biology, with an emphasis in Drosophila suzukii.

Thomas is an undergraduate student researcher majoring in Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. He will be a member of the lab team investigating the effects of environmental salinity on sea urchin populations and marine pathogens.

Ethan is an undergraduate student majoring in plant biology. He will be providing logistical support to the students and staff in urchin and fly care

Sophie will join the lab in Fall of 2025

Ava will join the lab in Fall of 2025