Jeremy Kaplan

My name is Jeremy Kaplan and I’m originally from Massachusetts where I earned my BS in Molecular and Biomedical Biology and Chemistry at Bridgewater State University. In 2013, I moved to Oklahoma to earn a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology at Oklahoma State University (OSU). My overarching research objectives were to increase understanding of biological patterns and processes that shape our planet’s biodiversity. Although I have broad interest in different taxa, I primarily studied invasive species to understand how invasion impacts an ecosystem. Within the invasion and disturbance ecology framework, my research focused on the ecological impact of invasive plant species, their native congeners and prescribed fire regimes on factors of decomposition, macro and microinvertebrate assemblages, pollinator diversity and soil chemistry (organic matter, organic nitrogen and organic carbon) in determining patterns and processes observed in disturbed ecosystems. Following earning my Ph.D., I was hired as the COVID-19 Specimen Intake Supervisor for the Oklahoma State University Diagnostics Laboratory (OSUDL) and was later hired as the Laboratory Manager of OSUDL. In April 2021, I began an exciting new adventure with the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory and OSU’s Oklahoma Pandemic Center of Innovation and Excellence (OPCIE) where I work to direct technical activities within the laboratory and initiating, establishing, and stewarding partnerships between the laboratory and external stakeholders, developing policies, directing the quality assurance program to maintain high quality diagnostic testing and ensuring lab activities comply. Since earning my Ph.D., I’ve also maintained membership as an adjunct faculty member of Biology and Microbiology at Oklahoma City Community College and Evolution at the University of Central Oklahoma. I believe a leader (and in turn, mentor) should be inquisitive, curious and familiar with current knowledge, advancement and direction in their field. With the aptitude to lead, advise and engaging through collaboration, design, assessment and communication, these qualities help establish and design a forward-thinking and mindfully oriented environment to share thoughts and feelings that contribute to progress.