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)
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)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology
My research interests are in variation of gene expression due to environmental stimuli. Before coming to DePaul, I was a technician in a lab focused on differences in immune response based on genetic ancestry. For my thesis, I am investigating the impact of retinoic acid on ovarian development and cell signaling in a transgenic mouse model. (Advisor: Dr. Kipp)
Michigan State University – BS, Human Biology
My research interests are in microbiology, cell & molecular biology, and human health. For my thesis, I am investigating a link between herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), specifically examining whether HSV-1 entry into cells is affected by apolipoprotein-E-ε4 (ApoE-ε4), a genetic risk factor for AD. (Advisor: Dr. Connolly)
Stonehill College – BS, Biology
The goal of my project is to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of
Cladia aggregata, a species of lichen-forming fungi, across Asia and the Neotropics. The primary goal is to determine whether there is evidence of ongoing gene flow between the Asian and Neotropical populations or if these populations should be recognized as distinct species. (Advisors: Dr. Grewe (Field Museum) and Dr. Dean)
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)
DePaul University - BA, Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Ecology and Evolution
Coming soon. (Advisor: Dr. Aguirre)
Missouri Southern State University – BS, Biology (Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation)
My research interests include Ecology and Macrosystems biology. My current research is looking to find ecological dipoles that exist at a continental scale in seed-eating small mammal and bird populations as a result of mast-seeding by trees. My research uses data collected at 25 National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) sites spanning almost 6000 kilometers and involves investigating novel connections at large spatial scales. (Advisor: Dr. LaMontagne)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Auburn University - BS, Organismal Biology (Ecology, Evolution, Behavior) | BS, Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet Pre-Professional)
Hi, there! I am a second-year graduate student in the Aguirre Lab here at DePaul. My primary research interests include using environmental DNA as a means of identifying the presence or absence of select freshwater fish taxa in the wild, and subsequently using my data to predict the abundance of the taxa at sampling sites. Visualization of this involves distribution mapping of species occurrences and using heat maps to demonstrate abundance. In preparation for my project, and to fill in lacking information on genetic databases, I am working to create a reference library at the 12s, 16s, and COI loci for the freshwater fish taxa represented in Western Ecuador. Whereas I aim to have all taxa represented in the reference library, my focus research with eDNA only looks at five commercially, economically, or ecologically important species that are threatened by coastal incursion events from sea level rise. (Advisor: Dr. Aguirre)
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)
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.
DePaul University – BS, Neuroscience; BS, Psychology
My research interests include understanding the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on alterations to epigenetics and physiology as a variable for psychiatric and neural disorder onset. My goal is to clarify the role of these chemicals as an exacerbator of both mental and physical illness during critical periods of growth. (Advisor: Dr. Bell)
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)