Jesús F. Peña, PhD
EvoDevo, EvoCell, Mycology
Welcome!
I am an evolutionary developmental mycologist interested in fungal mating and the evolution of multicellularity and cell type diversity. I received my PhD in microbiology from the University of California, Riverside.
Currently, I am a Visiting Assistant Professor at Harvey Mudd College where I teach molecular biology laboratory courses. In the past, I have taught Introduction to Developmental Biology and Introductory Microbiology at UC Riverside.
Prior to my PhD work, I was a laboratory programs assistant at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. I oversaw daily operations of Biology Basecamp, a participatory lab space within the health sciences exhibit. This experience catalyzed my passion for science communicaiton, outreach, and informal education.
PhD - 2022
University of California, Riverside
Program: Microbiology
Dissertation: The Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Mucoromycotina
Advisor: Jason E. Stajich, PhD
MSc. - 2015
University of Denver
Program: Cell & Molecular Biology
Thesis: Gene Expression in the Choanoderm l
Advisor: Scott A. Nichols, PhD
BSc. - 2013
University of Denver
Major: Molecular biology
Minors: Chemistry, mathematics
Research: Tastebud ultrastructure, Kinnamon Lab