News – WilsonLab

May 3, 2026

Congratulations to our recent graduate students in Fisheries who completed their degrees, including our lab’s very own Dr. Matt Gladfelter (below) and Jenifer Howell!

April 29, 2026

Pierce was recently honored with the Comer Medal for Excellence in Biological Sciences, which is one of the highest honors to an undergrad at Auburn University, before heading to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to start his PhD in microbiology. Congrats, Pierce!

More exciting news. Our paper describing counter-intuitive effects of alkalinity of copper sulfate toxicity in phytoplankton has been accepted for publication. These data highlight the importance of not overdosing copper to control algal blooms.

Mollica, A. C., M. T. Wesche, M. F. Gladfelter, M. B. McDonald, A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, K. L. Merrill, and A. E. Wilson. 2026. Higher alkalinity increases copper toxicity in phytoplankton: the importance of pH flux when treating algal blooms. Harmful Algae 156:103123.

April 20, 2026

Big news! Matt (PhD), Jenifer (MS), and Pierce (BS) are graduating this semester! Congratulations to you all.

January 5, 2026

Welcome to our new MS students, Natalie and Kayla!

December 18, 2025

Matt was selected as the 2025 Swingle Award winner for PhD students in our school! Congrats, Matt!

December 10, 2025

Another successful holiday cookie swap. Grateful for my students sharing such delicious treats with others. The candy bar fudge was my favorite. Excited about what 2026 has in store for us.

December 10, 2025

Had a chance to give a talk at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill last week. It was awesome. Thanks, Joe Brown, for the chance to return to UNC. I also was able to take my daughter for a formal campus tour with a special trip to the Dean Dome. The Word War III event was legendary. Go tar heels!