Hannah Walton

Hannah Walton

  • Graduate Research Assistant
  • Biological Sciences
    • hmw0069@auburn.edu
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    I am a graduate student under the advisement of Dr. Brian Counterman, and my research focuses on the evolutionary and genetic mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity. We utilize butterflies as a model organism to address our research questions.

    Education

    • BS Biological Sciences University of South Carolina 2022

    Professional Experience

    I have worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Genetics Laboratory here at Auburn, and I'm currently a Graduate Research Assistant in the Counterman Lab. I have served as the Vice President for the Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association (BSGSA) since the fall of 2024, where my main duties are to organize departmental meetings and to serve as the BSGSA representative for the departmental Engagement, Community, and Opportunity committee.

    I am a Graduate Student Instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University. I have lectured for the OLLI 'Local Naturalist' course, and I was awarded the OLLI Graduate Student Instructor Award that allowed me to develop and teach the 'Butterfly Biology' course during the OLLI spring 2026 term. 

    Innovation

    My research focuses on the phenotypic plasticity of butterflies. I am interested in how and why phenotypic plasticity occurs, and butterflies provide a great system to answer some of my questions. I have received funding from several sources to fund my dissertation research: the Auburn University Museum of Natural History Birchfield Grant, the Department of Biological Sciences Michael Wooten Award, as well as the Society for the Study of Evolution Rosemary Grant Advanced Award.

    Engagement

    Alabama in 5: Butterflies, Booklet Author (2026)

    OLLI Local Naturalists Course, Guest Lecturer (2025)

    Auburn University Museum of Natural History, Volunteer (since 2022)