B.A., Biology. University of Southern Indiana

Ph.D., Biology. University of Southern Illinois Carbondale

Austen was a postdoc in the lab from 2014-2017. Austen performed PhD research in mite evolution and development with Richard Thomas at the Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Working with the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, Austen studied the role of Hox genes in germ cell specification, and applied RNA-Seq to the problem of axial patterning and germ cell development.

Austen is currently an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at DeSales University.