The Evans Lab studies how microscopic organisms - bacteria, fungi, and archaea - function and respond to their environment. We are interested in how microbes respond to disturbances and stress, and what factors alter the diversity of microbial communities, as well as the ecosystem functions that microbes carry out, like cycling nutrients and facilitating plant growth. We are also interested in equitable science, inclusion in STEM, and scientific solutions to environmental problems. We probe these topics collaboratively as a lab using field manipulations, modeling, biogeochemical and molecular methods, and regularly discussing improving scientific practices. Since microbes are essentially everywhere, knowledge of how these tiny organisms operate can help us better predict ecosystem responses to global change, enhance services, and preserve biodiversity. Everyone is needed to reach these goals, simultaneous efforts to eliminate barriers to STEM will also be essential!

See Research for more detailed description of our projects, Photos to see what doing our science looks like, DEI for activities and resources for broaden participation, and Communication for descriptions for non-scientists. And of course, People, for the fun group that makes it happen. 

Contact information

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Email: evanssa6@msu.edu

Physical location:*
Kellogg Biological Station
Academic 329 (lab)
Stack 243 (molecular lab)
Academic Building 341 (Office)
Michigan State University
3700 E. Gull Lake Dr.
Hickory Corners, Michigan, USA
Sarah tweets (sometimes)

Lab News

January 2023
  • We have a new Doctor! Tayler Ulbrich defended her PhD to a full house in December, titled Understanding plant-microbial interactions and soil health for sustainable agriculture. We're so proud of you Dr. Tayler! Congrats on all your hard work.
  • Glade, Sarah and Jennifer attended the Soil Science Society of America conference where they presented research on the CNH2, Prarie Strip and REX projects respectively.
  • Corinn won the 2023 MSU Graduate Student Award for Science Communication and Outreach, a univeristy-wide award! Thanks for all your work sharing science with the public, Corinn. Well deserved award!
  • Sarah worked with other PIs to secure a renewal of funding for the KBS LTER Project with a new focus on climate change and land use change. 
  • Evans lab summer student, Sophie Iwamasa writes a blog post about her summer at KBS. We had a great time working with you Sophie!
  • Dr. Tayler Ulbrich has left the Evans lab but not KBS! This year she joins the LTAR as Associate Director of Engagement. 
  • Holly, Sarah and Jennifer attended the LTER REX All Hands meeting. Jennifer shared her Y-A-S modeling results and we all got to brainstorm for 2023 and beyond.
  • Wedding bells! Corinn and former Evans lab grad student Robert Logan got married in December! (and hosted a wonderful reception potluck)  Congradulations, we're so happy for you two!
September 2022:
  • GLBRC All Scientists Meeting in May: Tayler presented work on her rhizobox experient ""Does switchgrass neighbor impact its root exudation and microbiome? Direct sampling of in situ roots and microbes using rhizoboxes"
  • Tayler's plant neighbor paper published in Soil Biology and Biochemistry. Congrats!
  • Sarah named Earth Leadership Program Fellow and was able to attend their leadership workshop! What an honor! We're proud of you Sarah! 
  • Tayler hosted "Diggin' into Soil Health" workshop in June for farmers and agricultural advisors working for NGOs, state and federal conservation and agriculture organizations
  • Evans lab hosted 2 summer researchers. Sofie (REU) looked at effects of carbon addition on soybean growth and drought tolerance in a greenhouse experiment. They also presented a poster about their work at the KBS Summer Undergrad Research Symposium, great job! Melissa (RET) set up a decomposition experiment using soybean litter in both sunny and shady locations. She'll join us again next year to finish up! Great having you two in the lab!
  • Catilin Broderick joins the Evans lab as a postdoc working on the DIGME project. Welcome to KBS, Caitlin!
  • Tayler attended Climate Insersections Conference in July, presented on farmer's perceptions of soil health
  • Madaris moved to Florida to work as the Visitor Service Support Team at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. We'll miss you Madaris, thanks for all your great work!
  • Ecological Society of America (in Canada?): Most of the lab (Sarah, Corinn, Madaris and Caitlin- Jennifer in spirit) headed to Montreal to present their work and see what other scientists are up to. Madaris gave her first ESA conference talk about her research fungicide and nematicide effects on plant responses to drought. So proud of you!
  • Corinn hosted farm field day about prairie strips and soil health at Edward Lower Foundation with southwest MI agriculture stakeholders
  • Another field season come and gone. REX (Rain Exclusion Experiment) Year 2 samples were collected by Holly, Jennifer and so many volunteers. Corinn sampled the KBS Prarie strips again. Holly and Caitlin send collection kits around the world for collaborators to send us soils for DIGME.
  • Brandon Kristy joins the lab as a new Ph.d student focusing on work within the GLBRC. Welcome to the Evans lab, Brandon!
  • LTER All Scientist Meeting in September: Evans lab descended the ASM, helping to lead various sessions! Tayler helped with the co-produced research across LTERs workshop, Corinn with the evidence based strategies for SciComm workshop, Jennifer and Sarah led the ecosystem responses to rainfall variabilty session (with Catilin presenting) and Holly soaked it all in. Plus we say lab alumni Esbiery and Zahraa!

March 2022:
  • ​Zahraa leaves the lab to start a PhD program at UC Irvine with Alejandra Rodriguez Verdugo. We're so proud of you Zahraa!
  • CNH2 folks completed soil sampling at farm around Michigan, Indiana and Illinois (with collaborators from the Jen Lau lab at IU)
  • New lab member! Tayler and her partner Ruben welcomed baby Oden to their family November 28th. Congrats! We’re excited to have you at KBS Oden!
  • YJ Su rejoins the lab to help process all the REX samples! 
  • Corinn shows her Native Plants Prints at the Downtown Kalamazoo Art Hop and the Kalamazoo Nature Center- Science and Art combined!
  • More papers: Glade has paper about soil microbiomes in different farming systems published in Applied Soil Ecology. Robert's paper on photodegradation and litter decomposition is accepted to Functional Ecology
  • Madaris presented her REX work (Influence of fungicide and nematicide on plant responses to drought and rainfall variability) at the Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologist (MACUB) and won Best Presentation Award. Great work Madaris!
  • At the LTER ASM, lab Alum Ceco and Corinn presented a poster on active carbon in prairie strips and Madaris shared a poster on plant responses to drought.
  • Corinn passed comps! Congrats on all your hard work!
  • Lots more conferences Corinn went to the annual Iowa State University STRIPS meeting. Several Evans labbers attended the KBS LTER All Scientist Meeting and GLBRC Sustainability Meeting. 
  • Successful Evans/Fitzpatrick Holiday Party- hope everyone enjoys their White Elephant Gift!
  • Lab Alum Robert joined the NOAA Core and is off to basic training in CT. We look forward to hearing from you research vessel soon Robert!
  • Holly talked to elementary and middle schoolers about what it means to be a lab manager during KBS’s Exploring with Scientists series. Recording will be posted soon!

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