Alex Karnish

Alex Karnish is a PhD student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology who studies mutualisms, species interactions where both species benefit. His current research focuses on how organisms maintain multiple mutualisms and how those interactions are prioritized, using local jimsonweed and chilis. His work integrates community ecology, life history theory, and plant physiology in order to examine the mechanisms behind mutualism maintenance and their long-term effects on plant fitness. Prior to arriving at the University of Arizona, Alex received a B.S. in Biology at Iowa State University where he also studied seed dispersal mutualisms and their impacts on plant populations.