Morgan Furze
Assistant professor
​she/her
​
Research interests: physiology, ecology, and evolution of plants; nonstructural carbohydrate reserve dynamics; global change biology

I like exercising, pickled foods, and art

[email protected]
765-494-4219
Office: WSLR 120
Lab: WSLR 113
​
Mailing address:
Morgan Furze
Purdue University, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology
915 Mitch Daniels Blvd
West Lafayette, IN, USA 47907

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Asa McCurdy
Ph.D. student, Jan 2024-present
​he/him

Research interests: Ecology, genetics, phylogenesis and heterosis, climate change response, and carbon sequestration

Big fan of the wilderness, along with college lacrosse and SEC football (MIZ)

Degree program: Ph.D. in Forestry and Natural Resources (Ecology and Natural Systems and TropHTIRC)

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Mary-Margaret Benware
Ph.D. student, August 2024-present
NSF Graduate Research Fellow 2025-2028
​she/her

Research interests: Plant phenology, urban ecology, global change biology, carbon cycling, and remote sensing

In my free-time, I enjoy birding, hiking, and reading a good book!

Degree program: Ph.D. in Forestry and Natural Resources (Co-advised with Dr. Brady Hardiman)

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Jack Bennink
M.S. student, Aug 2025-present
​
Research interests: tree physiology/ecology and connections to the rhizosphere

Love hiking and being outdoors in general, training jiu jitsu, and cooking ​

Degree program: M.S. in Botany and Plant Pathology

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Lauren Harmon
M.S. student, Aug 2025-present
​
Research interests: plant physiology, restoration ecology, and global change biology

I love to sing and make music! ​

Degree program: M.S. in Forestry and Natural Resources | LinkedIn

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Emmeline Seest
Undergraduate researcher, Jan 2024-present
Institute for Digital Forestry Undergraduate Summer Research Program 2025
​she/her

Research interests: plant physiology, climate change resilience, forestry, ecosystem restoration, and soil interactions

I am trying to learn how to play the banjo

Major:  Plant Science | Class year: junior | LinkedIn

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Grace Collins
Undergraduate researcher, Jan 2024-present
​she/her

Research interests: plant physiology, xylem and phloem transport systems, climate change, plant starch storage, plant ecology

I enjoy photography, exercising, and cooking

Major:  Natural Resources and Environmental Science | Class year: senior | Email | LinkedIn

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Mark Crooks
Undergraduate researcher, Jan 2025-present
SCARF program 2025
​he/him

Research interests: physiology, morphology, carbon dynamics, ecology, and climate change

I like making jewelry, woodworking, welding, cooking, and camping. I just love to learn new things

Major: Plant Science | Class year: senior 

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Renee Walmoth
Undergraduate researcher, Aug 2025-present
​she/her

Research interests: plant physiology, climate change, ecology and soil science

I love being outdoors, running, and painting nature in my free time

Major: Plant Science | Class year: sophomore | E​mail​

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Grace Amburgey
Undergraduate researcher, Aug 2025-present
​she/her

Research interests: organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, ecology, climate change, and sustainability

I love spending time hiking, camping, horseback riding, and reading

Major: Chemistry | Class year: sophomore 

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Lab Alumni

​Shreya Veeravelli, M.S. Botany and Plant Pathology, August 2023-August 2025
Matt Keller, undergraduate researcher, June 2024-July 2025
Kae Nielson, undergraduate researcher, Spring 2025
Mae Stirrup, undergraduate researcher, Spring 2025
Faith McDevitt, undergraduate researcher, Spring 2025
Forest Summerfield, undergraduate researcher, Jan 2024-May 2025
​Lauren Harmon, undergraduate researcher, Sept 2023-Dec 2024
​Emily McCallister, undergraduate researcher, Spring 2024
Levi Berry, undergraduate researcher, Summer-Fall 2023
Jo Brigham, undergraduate researcher, Spring 2023
Kyra Prats, postdoctoral researcher, Nov 2022-Mar 2024