Baylee Christensen

I'm a graduate research assistant in the Program of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Wyoming. I am broadly interested in understanding processes that drive plant persistence, diversity, and abundance, especially in arid ecosystems. My favorite climate types are those that make you wonder, how did life find a way?

As a bioinformaticist at heart, I maintain strong computational skills and enjoy supporting others in genomics and data analysis. My bioinformatic interest and expertise lies in cyto-nuclear interactions in plants and lizards, with additional experience in single-cell RNA sequencing analyses in human systems.

In addition to my life as a scientist, I also enjoy spending time in the outdoors, crafts, bowling, and maintaining some form of simplicty in my life.

I am currently working as a Ph. D. student in the restoration genetics lab of Dr. Kristina Hufford. My work examines population dynamics, germination, and functional trait responses to seed harvesting pressures in native species such as Heterotheca villosa and Harbouria trachypleura. My research uses greenhouse experiments, field-data, genomics, matrix modelling and plant physiology in an effort to forecast population changes of native wildland species accurately.

Several formative employment experiences have deeply influenced my career path. During two seasons at Grand Canyon National Park, I gained experience in field data collection, fire ecology, and restoration. I also dipped my toes in individual project research, where I assessed juniper tree dieback parkwide. This work clarified what I value in a fulfilling career. The following season, I joined Dr. Hanlee Ji's lab at Stanford University as a bioinformatics intern. In this role, I realized what my future could look like as a scientist. Most recently, I served as a Microsoft Power Platform Intern for the State of Utah, during which I learned the fundamentals of software engineering and design. These combined experiences inspired me to pursue a graduate education, where I hope to integrate my skills in ecology, data science, and technology to create meaningful impact.

As an undergraduate at Utah Tech University, I worked in Dr. Randy Klabacka's lab, who has an amazing website that has inspired me to create this one! I joined his lab in 2022, and our first project was creating a bioinformatic tool called CatPop. This tool uses an algorithm to calculate comparisons of biological populations while accounting for population structure. After this project was completed, I worked with Dr. Klabacka on developing a bioinformatic pipeline to investigate allele-biased expression in the asexual whiptail Aspidoscelis tessalatus by integrating mitochondrial and nuclear genomic data. This creation heavily inspired my interest in cyto-nuclear interactions.

While born in Utah, I grew up in a Michigan beach town that remains close to my heart. As a child, I had an early interest in plant life, genetics, and science - I remember feeling amazed by Mendel's pea plant experiments. I also remember thinking about being a geneticist as a 5th grader (whatever that meant). I find it curious how life circles back to moments like that. Later in my life, I moved back to Utah and pursued career options and stronger connections with my family. During this time period, I met my long-time partner Brad, who inspires my curiousity in plant life to this moment. Nowadays, we both live in Wyoming and are loving life! Go Pokes!