Gaynor Lab

Welcome to the GEEP Lab!

The Gaynor Ecology and Evolution of Polyploids, or GEEP Lab, was established in Spring 2027 at Florida State University in the Ecology & Evolution Division within the Department of Biological Science.

Find out more about how to join below!

Close view the flowers of Galax urceolata

Whole-Genome Duplication

Our research broadly encompasses ecology and evolution of flowering plants, with a specific focus on genome size diversity in the form of whole-genome duplication, or polyploidy. Find out more about our research (and polyploidy) on the Research page!

We also develop Software, which you can find out more about on out Software page!

Join the Lab

In Spring 2027, the Gaynor Lab will get started at Florida State University in the Department of Biological Science.

Interested in polyploids plant evolution, population genetics, and/or computational biology? Join the "GEEP" lab!

To find out more about the current lab group and the principal investigator see People!

If you are interested in joining the lab, please send me an email with a CV/resume and a brief explanation of your research interests and your career goals. Undergraduates, please include your course schedule for the semester when reaching out! The subject of your email should include "GEEP Lab Inquiry" and your last name.

Note: If your email is written with an LLM (ex. ChatGPT), I will not respond. How do you learn about my research without asking ChatGPT? Luckily, this website is full of links to youtube videos of my past presentations (find these links on the Research page) and links to publications I have written (see Publications).

Current contact: shellyleegaynor at gmail.com

Undergraduate Researchers

Interested in plant evolution? Undergraduates researchers are welcome to reach out if they are interested in joining the lab. Please include your course schedule for the semester when reaching out!

Finishing your B.S. soon? See more below!

Prospective Graduate Students

My lab is open to both Ph.D. and master students through the Ecology and Evolution area in Biological Sciences at FSU - applications are due December 1st! Please reach out to me before applying!

I expect all graduate students to learn how to read and how to write scientific literature. Before reaching out, take a look at my publications and make sure your research interest overlap with mine. Also, take a look at the EEB division at FSU - we are a collaborative department!

Some logistics: Graduate students are currently funded through 12 month teaching assistantships available through the department. As of Fall 2026, Ph.D. stipends are $29,873 and master stipends are $28,769. Fees and health insurance cost differ based on residency status.

Postdoctoral Researcher

I have funding to support a postdoctoral researcher during my first three years at FSU. The postdoctoral researcher ideally will focus on theoretical and empirical mixed-cytotype population genomics.

I am also always open to work with potential postdoctoral researchers on fellowship and/or grant applications. FSU currently allows postdoctoral researchers to serve as PI on research grants.

Research Technician

I have funding to support a technician during my first three years at FSU. The technician will help with lab work including flow cytometry for genome size estimation and DNA sequencing preparation.