People

PI

Gregory L. Owens

Greg is an Assistant Professor of department of Biology at the University of Victoria. He completed his MSc in Biology at the University of Victoria studying opsin gene expression in the four-eyed fish Anableps anableps. He then did a PhD in Botany at the University of British Columbia using genomics to study hybridization in sunflowers. Greg recieved the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship to work on structural variation in sunflowers at the University of California, Berkeley.

Postdoctoral Researchers

Jordan Bemmels

Jordan is interested in population genomics, conservation genetics, and biogeography. In the Owens Lab, he is studying population genetic structure and patterns of environmental adaptation in two British Columbia kelp species, to establish baseline knowledge that will aid conservation and restoration of declining kelp forests. His past work has largely focused on understanding geographic range shifts and evolutionary adaptation in response to climatic and geological change, in systems such as kiwi birds, flycatchers, and temperate and tropical plants.

Graduate Students

Martin Liu

Martin is a master’s student interested in plant population genetics, phylogenetics, biodiversity, and speciation. He is particularly interested in plants of the Pacific Northwest and tropical climates. His current work is on the genetics of Lupinus microcarpus, a BC-endangered species with disjunct populations in California and Chile. He is also the resident plant enthusiast and cares for his growing collection of indoor houseplants (300+ unique species/cultivars/hybrids of succulents, topicals, orchids, and aquatics) and his native plant garden.

Kinga Kotulska

Kinga’s MSc research in Dr. Owens’ lab explores how DNA methylation can be used to estimate the age of long-lived rockfish species. By developing an epigenetic clock, she hopes to advance sustainable fisheries management and uncover insights into the evolution of longevity in marine ecosystems. Beyond the lab, she enjoys hiking, exploring, and cooking.

Ethel Wai

With an interest in using genomic data and technologies to support ecosystem restoration, Ethel is a MSc student studying inbreeding depression in bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) populations to further examine how genetic variation influences their fitness. Born and raised in Vancouver, she completed her undergrad at the University of British Columbia in Biology, where she looked at effects of ocean acidification on coralline algae. Outside of the lab, she enjoys crocheting, baking, and weightlifting.

Undergraduate Students

Aimee DeLong

Aimee DeLong is an undergraduate student studying Forest Biology. She is interested in forest ecology, conservation and botany. In the Owens Lab, she is doing a directed studies assisting in identifying geographic patterns in seed morphology for a BC rare Lupine species. Outside of the lab, she can be found running, crocheting or playing with her dog Pongo.




Former lab members

  1. Julia Hemley - Directed studies (2025)
  2. Andrew Carney - Directed studies (2025)
  3. Justin Merondun - Visiting PhD student (2023-2024)
  4. Kinga Kotulska - Directed studies (2024)
  5. Martin Liu - Directed studies (2023)
  6. Nathan Sykes - MSc student (2022-2024)
  7. Koa Planedin - Honours student (2023-2024)
  8. Jeremy Binet - Directed studies (2024)
  9. Silas Porter Crenna - Directed studies (2023)
  10. Cam Bass - Undergrad research associate (2023-2024)
  11. Kaede Hirabayashi - MSc student (2021-2023) - Research associate at UBC
  12. Adam Gheis - Honours student (2022-2023)
  13. Alex Pinch - Undergrad research associate (2022-2023)
  14. Sara Wuitchick - Postdoctoral researcher (2022) - Assistant Professor at Mount Royal University
  15. Ethan Dhaliwal - Directed studies (2021) - Medical student at UBC
  16. Dixita Basumatary - Directed studies (2021)
  17. Koa Planedin - Co-op Research student (2021)