Patrycja Aksamit
DePaul University - BS, Health Science
My research interests and personal hobbies have always centered around the study and conservation of animals, with a particular focus on reptiles and amphibians. I am currently working with the Field Museum on research involving the herpetofauna of the Chicagoland area. (Advisors: Dr. Ruane (Field Museum of Natural History) and Dr. Aguirre)
Antonio Armagno
University of Montana, Missoula - BA, Biology; BFA, Theater
My current research explores how marine fauna change over time due to environmental changes, and how those signals can be interpreted from the fossil record. This research will not only fill a gap in understanding of the Western Interior Seaway of North America but could also help prepare conservation biologists to mitigate the effects of climate change on coastal marine habitats. (Advisor: Dr. Shimada)
Gillian Chestnut
American University - BS, Biology
My research interests are in evolutionary biology and ecology with a specific focus on molecular approaches in these fields. My thesis focuses on assessing genetic variation in the freshwater fish family Profundulidae and determining the biogeographical factors that influence gene flow between populations. (Advisor: Dr. Aguirre/Dr. McMahan - Field Museum)
Jennifer Dinh
DePaul University - BS, Health Science
My research interests are focused on looking at the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in both sexes of adolescent rats. (Advisor: Dr. Bell)
Eduardo Garcia
Loyola University Chicago - BS, Biology with an Ecology emphasis
My research aims to understand the skeletal anatomy of a fossil fish group, Plethodidae, that inhabited the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway of North America. This research is anticipated to shed light on the phylogeny and paleoecology of plethodids. (Advisor: Dr. Shimada)
Dillon Gielow
DePaul University - BS, Biological Sciences
My primary interests are in genomics and biotechnology, with a focus on the role and capabilities of bacteriophages in both academic and clinical settings. My current research is centered around the genomic analysis, assembly, and annotation of a bacteriophage strain in order to act as a base for comparative genomics. (Advisor: Dr. Gilliland)
Christian Graca
DePaul University - BA, Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Ecology and Evolution
Coming soon. (Advisor: Dr. Aguirre)
James Hach
University of Mount Union - BS, Biology and Spanish
James is interested in the ecophysiology of fish, primarily how they respond to exposure to aquatic pollutants. His current research explores the effects of polyethylene nanoplastics on the gill function and behavior of Zebrafish (Danio rerio). He hopes to use this research to promote the conservation of aquatic habitats. (Advisor: Dr. Bystriansky)
Owen Howard
DePaul University - BS, Biological Sciences
My research interests include functional morphology, evolutionary-developmental biology, and ichthyology. I am working to elucidate how deformities of the spine in the Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) influences body shape, an ecologically relevant trait. As these deformities arise through changes in water temperature, I hope that my research may provide insight into the potential impacts of climate change on freshwater fish fitness. (Advisor: Dr. Aguirre)
Ardeshir Irani
Marquette University - BS, Biological Sciences
My research is studying the evolution of mitochondria by examining mitochondrial DNA in fungi using bioinformatics analysis. This will help fill the research gap on how and why mitochondria have evolved genetically. (Advisor: Dr. Grewe, Field Museum of Natural History)
Kendall Jackson
Auburn University - BS, Organismal Biology (Ecology, Evolution, Behavior) | BS, Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet Pre-Professional)
My research interests are in animal behavior and evolutionary ecology. My thesis work is focused on investigating potential trade-offs between personality traits and life history traits in three species of terrestrial isopods. Through this, I hope to gain insight into the evolution of personality. (Advisor: Dr. Sparkes)
Whesli Kim
University of Illinois at Chicago – BS, Biological Sciences
I am interested in neuroscience and toxicology of environmental contaminants as it relates to clinical concerns. Currently, I am investigating the effects of western diet and early life exposure of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on adolescent rat motivation and metabolism. This research will help inform our understanding of how PFAS could alter the risk of chronic diseases later in life with implications for PFAS regulations and personal risk assessment. (Advisor: Dr. Bell)
Leah Lies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Chemistry
I'm interested in understanding the signaling pathways in the ovary for better prevention and treatment of reproductive diseases. I currently work in Dr. Kipp's lab, and my research is focused on the action of retinoic acid in the ovary. (Advisor: Dr. Kipp)
Maya Mahoney
DePaul University - BS, Biological Sciences (Cellular & Molecular Biology)
My research centers around the morphometric examination of jaw curvature in modern sharks (Elasmobranchii: Selachii), and the relationship between jaw curvature and tooth function. My study is expected to provide new insight into the evolution of feeding mechanics in sharks. (Advisor: Dr. Shimada)
Sarah Pascarella
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - BS, Biology
My research includes examining the neurocrania of different Lake Malawi cichlids to understand how morphology influences feeding performance. Additionally, I am interested in uncovering the genetic basis of neurocranial shape variation. Through this research, I aim to gain insights into the incipient stages of adaptive radiation. (Advisor: Dr. Conith)
Erin Perez
DePaul University - BS, Biological Science with a concentration in Medicine and Health
My research interests are in epigenetics and how environmental contaminant exposures impact our gene expression. Specifically, I am interested in how epigenetic modifications can impact disease development or susceptibility. My thesis will focus on the epigenetic impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). (Advisor: Dr. Bell).
Kevin Prehm
Arizona State University - BS, Environmental Science
My research focuses on the earliest birds in the fossil record and how we can use both fossil evidence and inference from their modern descendants to reconstruct their hindlimb and pelvic anatomy. This study will allow us to better reconstruct fossil birds as well as their dinosaurian ancestors. (Advisor: Dr. Shimada).
Emily Rodriguez
Loyola University Chicago - BS, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
My research connects form, function, and behavior in the dentition of Lake Malawi cichlids. My thesis is focused on assessing how genetic differences underlying variation in dentition are related to feeding strategy in hybrid cichlids. I am also interested in how enrichment can be implemented in tanks and can affect cichlid behavior. (Advisor: Dr. Conith)
Anna Salem
University of Cincinnati - BS, Biology (Ecology and Evolution)
My research interests are in urban ecology and sustainability. My thesis is focused on assessing the biodiversity of public and private trees in Chicago’s “Our Roots” equity areas and connecting this data to wildlife benefits. (Advisor: Dr. Vogt)
Jackson Thomas
DePaul University - BS, Neuroscience (Cellular/Molecular Neuroscience)
My research is focused on a process known as Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, which in Breast Cancer has been correlated with an increase in the metastatic potential of a tumor. The goal of my work is to analyze the genetic expression changes resulting from different treatments, so that Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition can be better understood. (Advisor: Dean Dance-Barnes)
Riley Uvena
University of Illinois at Chicago - BS Biology
My research interests are centered on novel functions of RNA, including the activity of noncoding RNA molecules in gene regulation. My research examines how meiosis- the process responsible for producing sex cells- is impacted by silencing various RNA metabolism genes. This research seeks to build our understanding of how proteins involved in RNA metabolism and/or the RNAs they interact with contribute to meiosis. I hope to contribute to our emerging understanding of the roles for noncoding RNAs in chromosome movement during meiosis and to identify genes that may affect female fertility and the incidence of birth defects.
Demy Rose Yap
Illinois Wesleyan University - BA, Biology.
My research focuses on identifying the agal symbionts of Alaskan lichen by using next-gen sequencing approaches. The goal is to see how much variability there is within algal symbionts. I hope to gain insight on how the symbioses may potentially respond to climate change. (Advisor: Dr. Nelsen - Field Museum)
Peter Zwarycz
University of Illinois at Chicago - BS, Biological Sciences
My research examines variation in the axial skeleton of cichlid fishes, and how their diet shapes the morphological diversity of this trait across the tree. Specifically, I am studying the developmental and evolutionary basis of a vertebral apophysis commonly found on the third vertebra. This novel bony vertebral outgrowth serves as an origin point for a muscle that inserts on the upper pharyngeal jaw and is thought to increase the efficiency of food processing. My research aims to provide some evolutionary and developmental context to a morphological novelty that arose in a rapidly diversifying clade. (Advisor: Dr. Conith).
Sophia Zygowski
DePaul University - BS, Biological Sciences
My research interests include viruses that infect bacteria, known as bacteriophages. I’m interested in the use of phages as an alternative treatment strategy to infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria. My current research is focused on characterizing phages against the multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogen
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. (Advisor: Dr. Brooke)