Boris M. Tezak (he/him)
Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor
Training:
- Postdoctoral Research, Capel Lab, Duke University Medical Center (2019-2024)
- PhD in Integrative Biology, Florida Atlantic University (2019)
- BS in Biology, Florida Atlantic University (2011)
About me: Since as far back as I can remember I have been fascinated by nature and loved spending time outdoors. I think it has been that sense of wonder towards nature, and the support of a handful of incredible mentors, that eventually lead me towards the path of scientific research. I consider myself primarily a developmental biologist, but our research is highly interdisciplinary, encompassing the fields of cell and molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology. I am motivated by the daily prospect of scientific discovery and strongly committed to teaching and mentoring a diverse group of students.
For fun: I love to cook and to eat. I enjoy playing and watching just about every sport, and I love spending time outdoors (fishing, hiking, free diving, you name it!).
Barbora Straková (she/her)
From: Prague, Czech Republic.
Major: Postdoctoral Researcher.
Training:
PhD in Ecology, Charles University, Prague (2024)
MS in Zoology, Charles University, Prague (2018)
BS in Biology, Charles University, Prague (2016)
Research interests: My scientific interest lies in the evolution of traits that have profound effects on individuals and can shape the trajectory of entire lineages. During my Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, I focused on brain size evolution in birds. For my PhD, I turned to environmental sex determination (ESD), particularly in geckos. The diversity of sex-determining systems across species continues to fascinate me, and now I have the unique opportunity to explore ESD in turtles!
For fun: I love hiking, exploring new places, and discovering good stories—whether in books, films, games, or conversations with friends.
Jamie Willoughby (he/him/his)
From: Los Angeles, California.
Major: Molecular Biology & Biochemistry 2027.
Research interests: I am interested in gene regulation and partial to ecologically relevant research. Temperature-dependent sex determination is a complex regulatory problem. Its solution – arrived at by a diverse set of species – fascinates me.
For fun: Outside of school, I enjoy playing soccer and piano. At home, I like to surf and read. Latin American literature is my favorite thing to read, and my favorite poet is Jorge Luis Borges.
Brandon Wong (he/him)
From: Honolulu, Hawai’i.
Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (pre-med) ’28.
Research interests: I am interested in the Tezak Lab because it provides a unique perspective and motivation for temperature-dependent sex determination while tackling conservation biology and climate change issues through the lens of reptile embryos!
For fun: I enjoy playing basketball and solving Rubik’s cubes.
August Gardyne (they/them)
From: Oakland, California.
Major: Classical Studies and Biology.
Research interests: I’m interested in this lab because I find sex determination–especially in reptiles–really fascinating, and I’m especially curious about the ramifications of ovotestis formation.
For fun: Outside of the lab, I’m on the Wesleyan Student Assembly and I lead Disorientation, a Wesleyan-focused activism club on campus.
Nicky Wang (he/him)
Meera Pawale (she/her)
- btezak@wesleyan.edu
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