The Lab | My Site

Norms, expectations, & resources

Norm

Weekly lab meetings, one-on-one meetings, and Biology seminar series.

We will typically meet each week as a whole lab group. Ideally, these will be in person meetings, but we may meet virtually. Topics and content at lab meetings will vary. We may work together on learning a new skill, to revise grants, or spend time catching up with one another. If you need to miss a meeting, let Dr. Lamb know ahead of time. If you are a graduate student, or an undergraduate taking the lead on a research project, we’ll set up weekly one-on-one meetings. We’ll use these meetings to focus on research.

The Biology programs at SCSU host a weekly seminar series. Seminar speakers may be from SCSU or other organizations and will talk about their research, experiences, and career path. Topics vary from ecology and evolution through the biomedical sciences. It can be useful to attend even if you aren’t that interested in the topic for that week. Going to seminars gives you a chance to share space with colleagues. It can also help you improve your own presentation and communication skills. Unless you have a course or research conflict, try to attend seminars.

Photo note: Jen holds a plastic bag holding a Grey Tree Frog (Hyla chrysoscelis/versicolor) metamorph while Morgan sorts invertebrates in the background.

Communication.

Consistent and clear communication is a priority. We use a variety of platforms to keep in touch. Dr. Lamb will share important information with the group primarily via e-mail and the lab’s Slack. It’s a good idea to check in on these spaces regularly.

Contribute to a culture of inclusion and a learning environment.

It’s okay to disagree with one another’s perspectives or opinions, but it’s not okay to be dismissive, disparaging, or cause harm. Our goal is for the lab’s environment to be inclusive. That means we are all working towards acknowledging and respecting the value and belonging of each member in the lab. Discrimination, harassment, and any form of violence will not be tolerated. Please review the SCSU Student Handbook for more information regarding students’ rights and conduct.

Wanting to learn is one of the reasons we are all here. New skills, or working through new experiences, can be challenging. As you tackle new things, remember that there are other folks who might be able to help. Ask questions when you hit roadblocks. Offer to listen or help if you see another lab member struggling. Each individual is responsible for moving their research projects forward. But you can gain a lot from helping each other in the field or lab.

Photo note: Sam Skinner walks into a wetland planning to collect water samples to filter for environmental DNA.

Your safety and well being matter.

Research and coursework can be enjoyable as well as mentally and physically challenging. You might find yourself working through difficult analyses, or spending the occasional long days in the field or lab. Your mental and physical health and safety are key to your success. Wellness looks different from person to person. Reflect on habits, hobbies, or practices that you find support your overall wellness and work those into your week.

If you find yourself wrestling with your mental health, ask for help. If you are comfortable talking to Dr. Lamb, she’ll work with you to come up with a plan that supports your well being and keeps your professional goals in mind. Reach out to members of the lab, or other members of your support network.

Check out the Student Basic Needs and Emergency Services site for more information about on-campus resources. These include organizations like the Huskies Food Pantry, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and identity, culture, and support centers (e.g., LGBT Resource Center, American Indian Center, Veterans Resource Center).

If your research involves fieldwork, we will discuss safe strategies for your specific project and field sites. At minimum, students should expect to work in multiples, and to let someone who is not joining you in the field know the details of your trips. Similarly, if your research involves lab work, we will talk about potential hazards and important safety concerns.

Photo note: Tamaraks (Larix laricina) become a beautiful, golden color in the fall. These trees live along trails that are part of the St. John's Abbey Arboretum.

Lab Members

Lab Membes

Jennifer Y. Lamb (P.I., Associate Professor)

Pronouns: She/Her (why pronouns matter)

I joined the St. Cloud State University Dept. of Biology in August 2018. I enjoy asking questions about the ecology, natural history, behavior, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. I also like using a variety of tools or different approaches to answer those questions.

E-mail: jylamb [at] stcloudstate.edu

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2677-1490

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5zWk8gcAAAAJ&hl=en

Curriculum vitae (PDF)

Photo note: Jen in the field holding a metamorphosing Northern Leopard Frog.

Current Graduate Students

Sam Skinner (M.S. Student)

Sam began their Masters in Biology in Fall 2024. For their thesis research they are using eDNA to detect Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in Minnesota.

Email: samantha.skinner.2 [at] go.stcloudstate.edu

Photo note: Sam holds two toad friends during a night survey in Summer 2024.

Kerri Beers (M.S. Student)

Kerri began her Masters in Biology at SCSU in Spring 2024. Her thesis research focuses on how an amphibian's ecological niche affects the prevalence of chytrid fungi in populations in Minnesota.

Email: kmbeers [at] go.stcloudstate.edu

Photo note: Kerri holding a ranid caught during fieldwork in Summer 2024.

Current Undergraduate Students

Roman Jordan (B.S. Student)

Roman is an undergraduate in the SCSU Biodiversity, Ecology, & Evolution Bachelors program. Roman is working with the lab in Summer 2025 to sample ranids and wetlands for chytrid fungi.

Photo note: Roman holding a Garter snake.

Dayton Johnson (B.S. Student)

Dayton is an undergraduate in the SCSU Biodiversity, Ecology, & Evolution Bachelors program. Dayton began working with the lab in Spring 2023 and has been working on our rare-turtle project.

Photo note: Dayton holding a Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina ) caught during the Midwest PARC conference in 2023.

Curious about joining?

Undergraduate Students.

Are you an undergraduate interested in our research and looking for experience in a field or laboratory setting? Reach out to me (Dr. Lamb; jylamb [at] stcloudstate.edu) to introduce yourself and your career goals (they can be broad!). There may be positions available to contribute to or pursue independent, parallel research topics!

Master's Students.

Our Department has several options for culminating projects:

Comprehensive exam
Starred Paper
Masters Thesis

Learn more about each option via the Biological Sciences M.S. program page.

Contact me via email to inquire about potential openings. In your email, be sure to include the following information:

when you hope to start your Masters program, and which culminating project option you are interested in
an overview of your research interests and how they might fit within our group,
your broader career goal(s), and
your Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Important!: Masters students can apply for graduate Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs). I am also happy to help you build applications for external funding and scholarships.