51°µÍø

My research will be investigating how well sedimented pollen can indicate historic changes in Florida’s fringing wetlands and aquatic macrophyte communities, specifically in and around benchmark lakes. I would love to go on to work as a field biologist protecting Florida’s incredible and unique freshwater systems. 

I am an incoming first year PhD student in Dr. Christina Richards laboratory. I am from England, UK and first attended USF as an undergraduate student receiving my B.S. in Biology.

My path to getting to where I am today was very rocky but I learnt some very important lessons along the way especially to follow your passions. I took a few years working at a medical diagnostic laboratory in Pinellas Park and then moving over to become a teaching laboratory manager at USF.

I hope to work on understanding plant and microbial growth in stressful environments, with the goal of a career in astrobiology. Dr. Richards lab has projects that apply genomics and epigenomics approaches to help to understand plant invasions in Japanese knotweeds and Spartina alterniflora. I aim to learn their techniques and look to apply them to growth in microgravity.

My name is Kotomi Allgauer, and I am a Master's student in Dr. Peter Stiling's lab. 

My research interests include how wetland ecosystems respond to anthropogenic effects (changes in sea levels, water temperature and pollutants, introduction of invasive species, etc.). 

I have not decided on my research project. However, I do wish to work with wetlands (specifically mangroves) and determine human impacts and possible solutions. 

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I am a fourth-year Ph. D. candidate specializing in Ecology and Evolution. I received my B.S. in Integrative Biology from the University of Florida in 2021 with a minor in studio art. After my undergraduate degree, I worked for the U.S. Geological Survey as a student researcher studying invasive marine species.

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My research interests are quite broad, encompassing aquatic ecology and anthropogenic factors on threatened/endangered or invasive species.

In the Griffin lab, I will be focusing on anthropogenic impacts on critically endangered Rice’s whales, particularly on the risk of vessel strikes on the whales in the northeast Gulf of Mexico.

I obtained both my Master’s (2024) and Bachelor’s (2022) from Louisiana State University in Renewable Natural Resources and Natural Resource Ecology and Management respectively. Both degrees are concentrated in Fisheries & Aquaculture.

My name is Bethany Burns and I am a first year Ph.D. student. My research interests include how invasive plants respond to selective pressures in new environments and how it relates to conservation. In Dr. Richards Lab I will be studying Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant in the Eastern United States.

Previously, I got my B.S. in Biology from the University of Tampa. While there, I studied the monk orchid which naturalized from Africa to the Neotropics and I used herbarium records to find patterns within its phenology across its range.

I study how climate change drives shifts in vegetation in wetland communities, and investigate the resulting changes in plant-soil dynamics. My current dissertation research focuses on the recent expansion of mangroves into salt marsh territory on Florida's Gulf Coast. I am exploring the factors driving changes in the spatial arrangement of mangrove forests, and documenting changes in soil properties that occur as a result of mangrove encroachment. Because mangroves are expanding poleward following changes in climate and sea level, I hope that my work will be used to predict changes in wetland ecosystem dynamics on a global scale.

I graduated with a B.S. in Microbiology from Universidad de Los Andes in my native Colombia, I was a Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Intern, and I hold an M.S. in Resources Management in the Tropics from Cologne University of Applied of Sciences in Germany.

I have worked with International Cooperation as well as environmental Non-Governmental Organizations in Latin America. I have been an instructor for more than 7+ years, and l love teaching.

I am starting my third year as a Ph.D. Graduate student. I joined Dr. Prevost's Laboratory for Biology Education Research, where we do discipline-based education research. My interests include innovative approaches for ecology education, as well as community engagement approaches for coastal landscape management and restoration. Currently, I am working with SEEDS, a Program of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), understanding the perceptions and impacts of their activities for the next generation of ecologists. 

I am an incoming Biology Master's student with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution. I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science and Policy from USF in 2024. As an undergraduate student, I volunteered in the Zalamea lab where we studied plant-microbe interactions. My research will be focusing on carbon soil storage in wetlands. I am particularly interested in wetland conservation, soil science, and the role wetlands play ecologically. I am very excited to be working in the Lewis lab and expanding my knowledge on wetlands from my research

I am a first-year Ph.D. student working with Dr. Diego Santiago Alarcon. Birds are my big passion; anything related to them excites me. My main interest is looking at how different changes in the land and environment affect bird communities. I am curious about how they manage to live and even do well in these changing habitats.

During my master's at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, I studied the impacts of exotic timber stands on the bird communities in the Western Ghats' Sky Islands. After that, I worked as a research assistant at the Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History on a project monitoring bird diversity and populations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Now, for my Ph.D. at USF, I will be digging into how urbanization impacts bird communities. When I am not busy with research, you can find me birdwatching or cooking. I love exploring new places, trying local food, and learning about different cultures. Whenever I visit somewhere new, I make it a point to bring back a unique recipe. I have also got a passion for singing and putting together events.

My life is a mix of uncovering bird secrets in my studies and enjoying the world beyond research through travel and my hobbies.

My research interests include comparative osteology, biomechanics, and life history variation of plethodontid (lungless) salamanders.

In the Deban lab, I hope to incorporate my interests into understanding the diversity of feeding modes in salamanders and how hyobranchial morphology affects tongue projection and performance.

In 2019, I obtained my Bachelor’s in Zoology from Colorado State University and recently graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Master’s in Biology.

I am excited to be getting my Ph.D. from the IB department here at USF so I can continue studying herps/amphibians and take advantage of the animal diversity and beautiful weather of south Florida!

My name is Frank DeJohn, and I have worked as a Biological Scientist at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) for the last 2 years analyzing data and managing the day-to-day operations of the State Reef Fish Survey, which aims to collect data to improve the precision and timeliness of catch and effort estimates for various reef fish species in the State of Florida. 

My project will explore the identification and characterization of novel antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in wild bird bacteria potentially using metagenomic studies, assess the stability and persistence of free-floating AMR genes in various environmental conditions, and examine the frequency and impact of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events between avian and human bacteria in real-world settings. By investigating diverse bird species, environmental factors, and interactions between wild birds and humans, the research aims to understand the environmental reservoirs and public health implications of AMR genes.

I joined the Margres lab in 2021 while enrolled in a master’s program to study Tasmanian devils and devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), a species-specific transmissible cancer. Transmitted via biting, devils are universally susceptible to DFTD which is always fatal, and devils are now threatened with extinction due to DFTD. For my thesis, I used a massive genomic sequencing dataset and computational tools to investigate devil-DFTD coevolution and found the first evidence in this system that devils and DFTD are likely coevolving.

I began my Ph.D. in the Margres lab in 2022 where I continue to study devils and DFTD using genomics and high-performance computing. However, I have shifted my research focus to studying the evolution of DFTD and am specifically interested in studying how the acquisition of transmissibility in DFTD impacts its evolutionary trajectory relative to typical cancers.

I graduated with my B.A. in Psychology in 2021 and my M.S. in Environmental Science in 2023 from Florida Gulf Coast University. During my M.S., I studied human impacts on mammal, fish, reptile, and amphibian communities and biodiversity in the Peruvian Amazon. I my research interests revolve around wildlife responses to anthropogenic disturbance, and have previously worked with primate behavior, rattlesnake ecology, and African megafauna. At USF, I will continue to assess how humans are affecting wildlife using venom variation across human disturbance gradients and investigate the effect of rattlesnake venom on breast cancer cells.

My name is Faith Hale and I am pursuing my Masters' in Biology with a concentration in Environment and Ecological Microbiology. I am a student in Dr. David Lewis' lab. I received my Bachelors' Degree at USF in Cell and Molecular Biology in 2022. In the summer of 2023, I spent three months in New Mexico at the Los Alamos National Laboratory for an internship working on a couple projects. I am interested in soil microbes and their role in the environment. I have not decided on what my research project will be, but I am working on a wetland carbon storage project and plan branch off this project for my research project. 

I graduated from USF in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology. While an undergraduate, I volunteered and worked as a technician in the Parkinson lab, where I could regularly be found maintaining and optimizing sea anemone and microalgal cultures. Now that I’m a Master’s student, my research interests are broadly revolved around the Aiptasia anemone-algal symbiosis. I will likely utilize rapid genetic fingerprinting using TE-AFLP to distinguish genetically distinct individuals from clones.

I am a PhD student studying disease ecology in the Kramer Lab. Before joining USF, I earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Clemson University, an M.P.H. from the University of Arizona, and an M.S. in Ecology & Evolution from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. My current research combines machine learning and mechanistic modeling to investigate how infectious diseases emerge and spillover across large geographic areas. By examining climatic, geographic, host demographic, and anthropogenic drivers, I aim to improve outbreak predictions and inform risk assessments.

Hi, my name is Joanna Idafibia. I'm a graduate of microbiology from Anchor University in Lagos, Nigeria. My research interest is in biology education, specifically to gain a deep understanding of how written assessments can be designed and analyzed to measure student learning and academic performance effectively.

My goal is to contribute to the advancement of biology education by leveraging data-driven insights to improve teaching methodologies and student outcomes. I aspire to engage deeply with research on student learning through written assessments and work collaboratively to support the adoption of evidence-based teaching practices. By analyzing faculty interactions and implementing effective strategies, I aim to help foster an educational environment that enhances both teaching effectiveness and student achievement in the field of biology.

I joined the Parkinson lab in 2022 to investigate how intraspecific variation among endosymbionts effects host tolerance.

I developed a fascination with corals and their endosymbionts while completing a Research Experience for Undergraduates in Little Cayman Island while attending Southern Utah University.

After acquiring my undergraduate degree, I moved to the Florida Keys, where I  worked to restore degraded reefs with the Coral Restoration Foundation.

My experience with coral nursery work and population genetics propelled me into the Master’s program at the University of North Florida. There I tested the activation of thermal plasticity as a potential tool for coral restoration.

At USF, I plan to study how intraspecific variation within endosymbionts influences host resilience.

My research will investigate the impact of feral pigs on ecosystem properties, such as soil nutrients, vegetation growth, and species composition, in cypress wetland and pine upland habitats throughout Florida. With game cameras, I will observe feral pigs to better understand drivers in site selection for rooting and interactions that take place directly or indirectly with feral pigs and their rooted plots. Lastly, I hope to address the human-wildlife conflict associated with feral pigs by surveying people in agricultural residential areas, suburban communities, and natural environments to better understand how the public classifies and interacts with this species. Since feral pigs are extensively hunted in Florida, many individuals view them as a game species which promotes their presence in the environment and disguises the fact that they are invasive. Through my research, I hope to convince the public and policymakers that there must be better management and control of feral pig populations.

Research experience: I got my Bachelors of Science from University of North Carolina, Wilmington. I have always been passionate about the natural world and wildlife.  Getting my bachelor’s at UNCW and getting to partake in herpetology research while there further cemented that for me. 

My current master’s research revolves around movement telemetry of diamondback terrapins in an estuary located in southeastern Massachusetts. The goal is to understand how this species’ movement relates to multiple environmental and habitat variables.

I’m a Ph.D. student in the Carney Lab. My research will be on the diet and dentition of Archaeopteryx. I’ll be making use of a variety of methodologies, both morphological and functional, to synthesize a reconstruction of its diet. Details of its dental morphology may also elucidate potential phylogenetic differences between the various specimens.

I previously earned my M.S. in Geosciences concentrating in Vertebrate Paleontology at East Tennessee State University where I studied the tooth morphology of Brown and Black Bears.

My name is Emma Keene-Reinhard and I am a first year M.S Student in the Griffin Lab. My research interests include conservation biology and population monitoring. I am currently studying population demographics of the diamondback terrapin in Buzzards Bay, MA using visual surveys and capture-mark-recapture.

I graduated with a B.A in Environmental Studies and Political Science and International Studies from Stonehill College in 2023. After graduating, I interned with a non-profit focused on female nesting terrapins and hatchlings. I then transitioned to broader conservation efforts for the species through various survey techniques. In the future, I hope to apply similar research interests and methodologies to other turtle species and wildlife. Aside from research, I look forward to exploring Florida’s unique biodiversity.

I am broadly interested in applied research aimed towards conservation of imperiled aquatic/marine species and systems, with most of my work focused on conservation of sea turtles and native fish species. Some of my past research includes studies on population dynamics, movement ecology, and behavior of these aquatic organisms. I have extensive experience with field sampling, acoustic telemetry, and quantitative analysis.

I completed my Master's with the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Group, where my thesis focused on disease ecology of juvenile sea turtles in the Indian River Lagoon. After that, I spent several years working with fish in the Western U.S., often using acoustic telemetry data to assess population dynamics and behavior. Now I am back in Florida, where my PhD research at USF will focus on juvenile sea turtle space-use, survival, and site selection behavior using capture and acoustic telemetry data from St. Joseph Bay, FL.

I am a fisheries biologist and PhD student in the Department of Integrative Biology. I graduated with a bachelor's in Biology from the University of Central Florida and a master's in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University. I have primarily focused on aquatic ecology throughout my career, ranging from sea turtles on the east coast of Florida, desert fishes in the Southwest, and anadromous fish in the Pacific Northwest. For my dissertation, I am investigating cobia Rachycentron canadum declines, movement, and migration patterns in the Gulf of Mexico using species distribution modeling and fuzzy cognitive mapping. I have a large range of research interests, including movement and telemetry studies, predator-prey interactions, and anthropogenic influences on aquatic populations.

My name is Jasmine Kesselring, and I graduated in 2024 with a B.S. in Biology and a second B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from UCF. While completing my undergraduate degree, I discovered an interest in disease ecology and the effects of parasites in native species. During my undergrad, I assisted in field research investigating the effects of an invasive snake parasite in Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes. I also assisted in research exploring the impacts of parasites and climate change on migrating populations of Monarch Butterflies. Here at USF, I am an M.S. student in Dr. Doody's lab, where I will continue to explore the threat of the invasive snake pentastome parasite (Raillietiella orientalis) in native snake species.

My research interests include water quality, specifically limnological studies.

I graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the New College of Florida, where I studied the impacts of thermal stress on coral-algal symbioses and their microbial communities. My master’s research in the Parkinson lab coincides with my work as a Research Assistant for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute and is focused on characterizing the recruitment patterns of shallow water octocorals on Florida’s Coral Reef.  

I am a first-year Master’s student concentrating in Ecology and Evolution. I earned my B.S. in Biology from the 51°µÍø in May 2025. As an undergraduate, I worked in Dr. Camilo Zalamea’s lab, where I developed a strong interest in tropical ecology and microbial interactions. Working in the lab not only sparked my interest in scientific research, but also showed me how much I enjoy collaborating with others to explore new ideas and tackle complex questions.

My research focuses on plant-microbial interactions, specifically investigating how fungal inoculation affects seed germination across different tropical plant species. Through controlled seed-fungal inoculation experiments, I aim to quantify the ecological roles of fungi in early plant development. Ultimately, I hope to apply my findings to regenerative agriculture and forest restoration and conservation efforts, with the goal of supporting more resilient and biodiverse ecosystems.

My current research focuses on the coevolution of venom and venom resistance in rattlesnakes and their prey.

I have also been involved in research on the community ecology and microbiomes of paleotropical bats, species distribution and delimitation in blind Texas cave spiders, and conservation assessments of a rare Texas rodent population.

Before coming to USF, I earned undergraduate and Master's degrees in biology from Texas Tech University.

Upon capturing my first snake at the age of three, the love of reptiles captured me! I served more than 500 hours in animal husbandry and public education at the Florida Aquarium, produced over 60 videos on my YouTube channel, and assisted in gopher tortoise conservation projects under George Heinrich since 2018.

My passion drove me to earn my B.S. in Biology from USF, graduating in 2023 as a King O’Neal Scholar. During that time, I served as president of the biology club for two years, bringing in notable speakers like Coyote Peterson and Dr. Whit Gibbons. I also worked on a literature review of anthropogenic impacts on snake species richness across the globe with additional primary research of its impacts within Florida. In my spare time, I delight in studying theology, camping, adventuring, traveling across the US, and my favorite herping. At the Doody Lab, I am researching the impacts and interactions between roads and gopher tortoise populations across Florida, specifically populations persisting on roadsides. If you would like to volunteer in my research, please reach out via email! 

A native Floridian, I have long held a fervent passion for the outdoors, and more specifically, the marine environment. Having originally graduated from USF with a business management degree, I returned after several years in the workforce to gain a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology.

My research seeks to uncover the intricacies of how marine organisms are interacting with their physical environments and how these interactions have influenced their evolutionary ecology. As a PhD student I am investigating the swimming locomotion and predator-prey interactions of reef and pelagic fishes with the assistance of high speed imaging.

I received my B.S. in Biology from the University of Central Florida in 2022. While there, I worked on a few different research projects involving electric fish, microplastics in the Indian River Lagoon, and oyster reefs with mangrove encroachment.

As a PhD student in Dr. Stiling’s lab, I plan to focus my research on mangrove herbivory in and around Tampa Bay.

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My name is Anthony Powell, and I am a Ph.D. student in Dr. Deban’s lab.

I obtained both my Bachelor’s in Biology and my Master’s in Biology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. As a Master’s student, my research work involved identifying and measuring sustained force production in the jaw muscles of horned frogs (Ceratophrys spp.). 

For my current research interests, I hope to continue my M.S. work by looking into sustained force production in the jaws of other frogs, other muscle groups, and the physiology behind this phenomenon.

I obtained a B.S. in Integrative Biology here at USF. During this I was fortunate enough to work in Dr. Kathleen Scott’s lab, assisting with research investigating the metabolism of worms found at deep sea hydrothermal vents. There I developed a love of dexterous lab work and a strong desire to participate in academia.

For my master’s I am working in Dr. Lajeunesse’s lab investigating Cordyceps, a grouping of fungus which parasitizes arthropods. With this work I hope to help bring about a better understanding of, what is often regarded as, a bizarre organism. I am particularly drawn to such organisms as I feel many forms of life are undeservedly overlooked or stigmatized, such as ants and fungi or vultures and carrion insects.

I am a Costa Rican tropical biologist graduated from the Universidad Nacional of Costa Rica.

My main research interests are on the ecology and dynamics of complex plant and soil interactions in tropical ecosystems.

As a Ph.D. student in Dr. Zalamea’s lab, I would like to deepen into the mechanisms behind plant-soil-microorganisms interactions and how they are translated into the adaptation and survival of plant communities and their implications on the ecosystem level.

When I'm not nerding about biotic interactions I enjoy martial arts, painting, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

My research interests include social behaviors, reproductive strategies, invasive species impact, and anthropogenic impact. For my graduate research, I am examining the impacts of urbanization on bird communities within St. Petersburg. I am interested in understanding what life history strategies are being selected for and against in our bird communities as the city quickly expands. When I'm not in the field or writing, I am helping to rescue and rehabilitate birds at a local sanctuary.

Previously I attained a B.S. in Environmental Biology with a minor in Psychology at USF Tampa. As an undergraduate, I assisted in an evolutionary biology lab studying the reproductive adaptations of the white clover. I then performed an independent study that analyzed the use of renewable energy in Vietnam and conducted personal research that analyzed cultural representations of big cat species at a local Tampa sanctuary. Additionally, I have assisted in the husbandry and training of sea turtles, stingrays, and sharks. 

I attended Salisbury University in Maryland where I received my B.S. in Biology. While in Undergrad I worked in a lab monitoring Spotted Turtle populations along the east coast of Maryland and Delaware. In the time between finishing my Bachelors and starting my Master, I have worked at various zoos doing jobs that consisted of field research on American Kestrels, animal husbandry, and conservation education. My current topic of study is observing how female Diamondback Terrapins may be able to adapt to a warming climate by being selective in their nest site choice. 

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I am a first year PhD student working with Dr. Heather Judkins and the DEEPEND Consortium. I hold a Master's degree in Marine Science from the USF College of Marine Science, with a focus on Biological Oceanography. I earned my Bachelor's degree from the Honors College at USFSP, majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry and a concentration in marine science. My research focuses on organic contaminants like PAHs, PCBs, OCPs, and ECCs in cephalopods. I enjoy diving, visiting Disney, and collecting shells at the beach.

My name is Yuliya Rudkouskaya, a new student from Belarus pursuing a Master’s degree in Ecology and Evolution. I got my B.S. in Bioecology from Belarusian State University, where my research was mainly focused on species distribution and population dynamics, as well as the influence environmental and seasonal changes have on the community structures.

Now, as a Master’s student in Prof. Richards lab, my research interests lie in studying invasive species in wetlands, specifically their methods of invasion and adaptations, as well as their effects on the community structures, habitat alteration, and population dynamics. I have not yet decided on my research project; however, I think it would be interesting to look into the similarities of invasive species in Belarusian and Floridian marshes to compare their mechanisms of invasion and the influence they have on their local communities.

I am currently a Ph.D. student who joined the Carney lab as an undergraduate during the summer of 2021. Topics that are of particular interest to me include studies relating to anatomy, phylogeny, and morphology. I also have special skills and interests in 3D modeling, 3D printing, and digital art, and hope to be able to incorporate these into my work.

I am planning to form my dissertation around crocodilian locomotion, specifically looking into forelimb walk cycles by reconstructing the anatomy in a 3D digital environment. With this, my findings can be used to infer and compare forelimb movement in both extinct and extant species of archosaurs.

I attained my B.S. in Biology from USF Tampa in 2021. Shortly after, I gained experience working in an AZA-accredited institution with various species, including terrestrial invertebrates, where I formed my interest in Diplopods. 

I am currently looking at the use of environmental DNA in pre- and post-restoration sites (Robinson Preserve and Alligator Creek) to measure the biodiversity of the water system compared to traditional seine netting.

We are also looking to see if any unknown/elusive native (sharks, rays, etc.) or invasive (walking catfish, aquaria species, lionfish, etc.) species have been utilizing these habitats as those need to be factored into measuring the overall success of the restoration itself.

I am hoping to better understand the pros and cons of utilizing eDNA alongside seine nets when measuring biodiversity of tidally influenced water systems.

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Ever since I was a child, I have loved reptiles, especially snakes. I got my B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Biology from USF in 2021. Before coming to the Doody Lab, I have worked on a FWS study on the threatened herpetofauna of the Florida scrub, a project looking at population dynamics and competition in daphnia species, and a couple other projects regarding avian surveys, gopher tortoises, and venomous snakes. Here at the Doody Lab, my research revolves around the intersection of conservation biology and disease ecology, specifically as it pertains to ophidiomycosis in snake populations. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, climbing, kayaking, playing/watching cricket, and cooking.

Hello! I’m a PhD candidate and graduate researcher co-advised by environmental microbiologist Jody Harwood and environmental engineer Daniel Yeh. My research focuses on developing anaerobic membrane bioreactors to treat and recover resources from astronauts’ fecal waste for lunar mission wastewater systems, because even on the Moon, waste management matters! 

I am a Ph.D. student in Dr. Kramer’s lab (joined August 2019). My research focuses on invasive species, species interactions, population dynamics, and spatial ecology in large aquatic systems.

I am currently investigating the spatial and trophic dynamics of invasive lionfish and regal demoiselle in the Gulf of Mexico, along with the ecological interactions among these invasive species and native fishes.

I am excited to be a Ph.D student, co-advised by both Dr. Richards and Dr. Parkinson. Through my Ph.D research I plan to examine how DNA methylation changes within symbionts of Cnidarians.

I also plan to research how changes to the epigenome of a holobiont is affected by different environmental factors, such as temperature or pH.

Prior to my time here at USF, I received my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in Molecular and Cellular Biology. I then obtained my master’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where I studied DNA methylation in deep-sea Octocorals.

Hi there, I'm Danny! I joined Dr. Scott's lab as an undergraduate researcher in 2023, and graduated with a B.S. in Biology from USF in 2024. I then rejoined Dr. Scott's lab as a master's student in 2025. My current project is based in microbial physiology and microbial ecology, and is focused on a novel species of bacteria that can be found in small sulfidic springs in the Tampa area. This organism is believed to belong to a small genus in the Piscirickettsiaceae family, with currently only one other species in it!

My other research interests include, medical microbiology, chemical biology, chemical ecology, and epidemiology!

My name is Jake and I study poison dart frog behavior in Dr. Yusan Yang’s lab. Specifically, I am focused on how ecological resource availability alters sexual selection, parental care behavior, and tadpole development. Additionally, I am interested in finding out what sexual traits, e.g. color, body size, courtship effort, are most important in mate choice and how they may vary in importance between species with different mating systems and parental care behaviors.

I received my B.S. in Biology from Saint Louis University in 2023, where I studied vibrational communication in invertebrates.