Who we are
Interested in joining the lab? Find more information here.
ALEXANDRA BENTZ
Principal Investigator
​Professional Appointments
2021 - present: Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma
2019 - 2021: NIH Postdoctoral Trainee, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana Univ.
​2017 - 2019: Postdoctoral researcher, Rosvall Lab, Department of Biology, Indiana University
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Education
PhD: 2017, University of Georgia (Advisor: Dr. Kristen Navara)
MS: 2012, Appalachian State University (Advisor: Dr. Lynn Siefferman)
BS: 2010, Appalachian State University
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Pronouns: she/her
Email: abentz@ou.edu
Google Scholar
Noah is a MS student in the School of Biological Sciences and is co-advised with Dr. Jeff Kelly. His thesis work is exploring the effects of urbanization on Black Vulture endocrine profiles and how this may affect their spatial movements. Prior to attending OU, Noah received his BA in Biology from Georgia Southern University.
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Pronouns: he/him/his
Email: nosterhoudt@ou.edu
NOAH OSTERHOUDT
MS Student
Jasmeen is a PhD Student in the School of Biological Sciences. Her work explores how maternal hormones shape behavior and create genomic changes across time. Prior to attending OU, Jasmeen received her BS in Biology from Indiana University.
Pronouns: she/her
Email: jkaur@ou.edu
JASMEEN KAUR
PhD Student
Anna is a PhD student in the School of Biological Sciences. Currently, her work explores the different environmental factors and life-history traits (such as breeding system, developmental mode, and nest type) that affect yolk testosterone deposition. Prior to attending OU, Anna received her BA in Biology from The College of Wooster.
Pronouns: she/her
Email: ajames@ou.edu
ANNA JAMES
PhD Student
Shae is a PhD student in the School of Biological Sciences. Currently, her work focuses on how maternal hormones impact development, behavior, and fitness in songbirds. More broadly, she's interested in urban ecology and human impact. Prior to attending OU, she graduated with a BA in Biology from Hope College.
Pronouns: she/her
Email: Shae.R.Johnston-1@ou.edu
SHAE JOHNSTON
PhD Student
SARAH HILL
Research Technician
Sarah is a Research Technician in the School of Biological Sciences. Broadly, she is interested in the genetic determinants of avian behavior and their consequences for life-history traits, with a prospective focus on the potential role of personality in disease transmission. Prior to working at OU, Sarah received her MS in Biology from Appalachian State University (Advisor: Dr. Lynn Siefferman), and her BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Pronouns: she/her
Email: Sarah.D.Hill-1@ou.edu
Undergraduate HN Thesis Students
Sanika Navalkar, Undergraduate Honors Thesis (2024-present)
Lab Alumni
Emma Singletary, Undergraduate Honors Thesis (2025). Next steps: missionary work
Leigh Bailey, MS Thesis (2024). Next steps: laboratory technician
Kendall Terry, Undergraduate Honors Thesis (2024). Next steps: law school
Cameron Nixon, Undergraduate Honors Thesis (2023). Next steps: medical school
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