Tamara Panhuis

Tamara Panhuis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU). Her research focuses on comparative evolutionary biology, particularly the evolution of placenta-like tissues in live-bearing fish such as Poeciliopsis and Phalloptychus. She employs molecular genetics and microscopy to study placental structures and embryonic development. Panhuis teaches courses in human physiology, anatomy, evolution, and cell biology, and advises undergraduate researchers. She also serves as OWU's faculty representative for the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

Education:

• B.S., University of Maryland, College Park
• Ph.D., University of California, Riverside

Research Interests: Panhuis' lab investigates the structural and functional adaptations of fish placentae using advanced microscopic techniques. Her work highlights evolutionary innovations in reproductive strategies across fish species. Recent studies include characterizing placental morphologies in Poeciliopsis turneri and Phalloptychus januarius.

Advising & Grants: Panhuis mentors undergraduate researchers, with notable student contributions to her published work. Her research has been supported by collaborative projects in evolutionary biology and genetics.

Labs/Teams: Her research is conducted in the Schimmel/Conrades Science Center at OWU, leveraging state-of-the-art facilities for molecular and morphological analyses.