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Shaw Lab Community

The Shaw lab community consists of people who Allison directly advises, along with people who are informally friends of the lab. You can read more about current lab members and friends below, and see past people here, and past group photos here. Together, the Shaw lab community developed the below mission statement.



Shaw Lab Community Mission Statement


Ecological theory aims to clarify the links between mechanism and pattern in the natural world by using conceptual and mathematical models. We leverage theoretical approaches to develop an understanding that transcends particular empirical systems, which is especially valuable when answers rely on phenomena that cannot be directly observed in nature. Tackling scientific questions in light of the global challenges we face requires diverse perspectives; science needs all of us! We believe that anyone can do theory regardless of mathematical background or skills. In our lab, we develop our own theory and we foster a broader community that helps people do theory in their research. We also aim to improve theory literacy through developing frameworks, facilitating communication between empiricists and theorists, outreach, and teaching.

Ten people posing in front on a grassy lawn with tres in the background
Shaw lab + friends (September 2026): [back row] Maria Park, Paige Yeung, Peter Lutz, Chris Wojan, Mariana Cárdenas-Henao, Raine MacArthur-Waltz, Caleb Hill; [front row] Allison Shaw, Ching-Lin Huang, Chau Pham

Lab Members

Ching-Lin Huang (2024+ Graduate Student, EEB)

Close-up of Ching-Lin Huang

I am interested in using math to study how species interactions shape ecological communities. My particular focus is on interactions in which organisms modify environmental conditions and thereby indirectly influence other species. Using theoretical models, my work explores how this species environment feedback shapes biodiversity as well as the spatial and temporal patterns of ecological communities.


Peter Lutz (2024+ Graduate Student, EEB)

Close-up of Peter Lutz

​I am interested in using theoretical tools to understand how populations spread through changing environments. Previously, I have used simulations of dispersing species to investigate how their interactions can impact whether they are able to coexist across space. I hope to continue learning how to apply these approaches to questions related to population dynamics and biodiversity.


Mariana Cárdenas-Henao (Teaching and research specialist, EEB)

Close-up of Mariana Cárdenas-Henao

My research focuses on lichen and moss ecology in successional systems from experimental and observational perspectives, with emphasis on their ecosystem roles and biotic interactions in temperate and tropical ecosystems. Additionally, I am passionate about teaching ecology. I am currently focused on developing modules that can be widely used for ecology education from theoretical and experimental perspectives.




Friends of the Lab

We are lucky to currently have a number of folks who often attend lab meetings and otherwise enrich our lab culture:


Recent collaborators


Theory Group

From 2014-2022 our lab facilitated an informal theory and modeling lab group meeting This group was started by Allison Shaw, Emma Goldberg, and Yaniv Brandvain. Participants were primarily in EEB and PMB, but all with aligned goals and interests were welcome. The aim was to create a forum for provid/aing feedback on ongoing modeling work. We are very pleased that some work presented at theory group has eventually progressed to be a finished project. Here you can view a list of publications that have benefited from feedback during theory group.


Biological Theory Alliance (BioTA)

Allison co-founded (in 2015) and co-ran the University of Minnesota's Biological Theory Alliance (BioTA), which aimed to bring together researchers who use conceptual and mathematical modeling to understand biology (until it ended in 2024).

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Logo design by Carmen Martin