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Melanie Fischer
Ph.D. Student; 2023-present Research interests: functional morphology, comparative biomechanics, ecomorphology, diversity in fishes + sharks Outside the lab I enjoy reading, listening to audiobooks, discovering new music, watching sports, going to museums, and playing The Sims. Favorite organisms: Coelacanths, because they were rediscovered after being thought to go extinct 66 mya, and the Nopili rock-climbing goby, because using your mouth and modified fins to climb waterfalls is very cool! BS in Marine Biology, College of Charleston, 2023 [email protected] |
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Hana Larkins
Ph.D. Student; 2024-present Research interests: comparative biomechanics, functional morphology, ecology and evolutionary biology Outside of the lab, I like to play video games, collect art and fashion books, cook, and sleep. Favorite organism: Ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Just look at 'em! BS in Integrative Biology, St. Mary's College, 2023 [email protected] |
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Isabella Paglione
Undergraduate researcher and research technician; 2023-present Research interests: behavioral ecology, conservation biology, functional morphology, and diversity of sharks Outside of the lab I enjoy anything artsy! Crocheting, painting, and making jewelry are some of my favorite hobbies Favorite organisms: Bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo). The smallest member of the hammerhead genus and so cute! Biology Major Aquatic Sciences Minor |
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Isaac Fuelling
Undergraduate researcher; 2024-present Research interests: Behavioral ecology, community ecology, population ecology, and conservation biology Outside of lab I stay busy by playing rugby and running. To relax I'll play video games with friends or go birding. Favorite organisms: red-winged blackbirds because their mating calls are a classic sound of spring and home for me. They are also my favorite bird to watch interact with each other. Major in Environmental, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology Minor in Wildlife Science |
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Natalee Keller
Undergraduate researcher; 2024-present Research interests: how different fishes and sharks perform the physical tasks necessary for their survival I also enjoy spending time with friends, going to concerts, and scuba diving. Favorite organisms: sea turtles (Chelonioidea) because they are cute and can transport smaller organisms on their backs. Aquatic Sciences Major, concentration in freshwater and marine biology |
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Alina Mathias
Undergraduate researcher; 2024-present Research interests: fish diversity, functional morphology, community ecology I also enjoy rollerskating, hiking, and arts + crafts. Favorite organisms: Jellyfishes...they are more complex than they appear! Aquatic Sciences Major [email protected] |
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Maddy (Madison) Parr
Undergraduate researcher; 2024-present Research interests: functional morphology, ecology and diversity across aquatic and terrestrial systems Outside of the lab I enjoy hiking, reading, and doing anything crafty like painting and embroidery. Favorite organisms: Flapjack octopus (Opisthoteuthis californiana) because they are the cutest octopus on the planet, and yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) because that is the species that got me interested in a career in wildlife. Wildlife Major, Aquatic Sciences Minor [email protected] |
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Carson Rose
Undergraduate researcher; 2024-present Research interests: molecular microbiology, environmental toxicology, disease ecology, conservation biology, and biotechnology Outside of the lab I have a strong passion for powerlifting, enjoy cooking & baking, and love to explore the natural world through hiking, kayaking, or sightseeing. Favorite organisms: Mantis shrimp because of their raptorial appendages, which allows them to create one of the most powerful strikes in the animal kingdom, and the western parotid (Parotia sefilata) because of their interesting and beautifully choreographed "ballerina dance" they do for their mate. Major in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology Minor in Wildlife Sciences [email protected] |
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Aubrey Paul
Undergraduate researcher: 2025-present Research interests: Population and disease ecology, conservation biology, evolution and biodiversity, genetics In my free time, I love hiking at state parks, baking, shopping, and hanging out with my closest friends. I also really enjoy makeup and fashion. Favorite organisms: My favorite organisms are the giant oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) - because of its gentle nature and intelligence - and the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) - because of its unique hunting habits in the rugged Himalayan mountains. Major in Biology Minors in Chemistry and Psychology [email protected] |
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Adan Marquez
Undergraduate researcher: 2025-present Research interests: Ecology, conservation of biodiversity, environmental biology, and evolutionary biology Outside of lab, I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing video games, and getting some fresh air by longboarding. Favorite organisms: My favorite organism is the Jaguar (Panthera onca) because of its immense bite and culture significance in Mesoamerica. I also loved Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) as a kid because of their bubbly personalities and gnarly noggins. Major in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology Minor in Wildlife Science [email protected] |
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Philippine Brossard
Undergraduate researcher: 2025-present Research interests: Conservation ecology and genomics, evolutionary biology, and terrestrial ecology In my free time, I love to draw, spend time with family and friends, and try new foods. Favorite organisms: My favorite organisms are tardigrades because of their incredible resilience. They can survive extreme conditions, even outer space! Tardigrades embody survival and adaptability, and I'm excited by the potential they represent for future research and discovery. Major in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology Pre-Vet concentration [email protected] |
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Hallee Petri
Undergraduate researcher; 2023-2025 Research interests: functional morphology, morphometrics, and population ecology Outside of the lab I enjoy crocheting, cooking, and riding horses. Favorite organisms: Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) because it is an efficient anadromous species and plays a large role ecologically, culturally, and economically - which is pretty cool! Aquatic Sciences Major |
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Jaden Mifsud
Undergraduate researcher; 2023-2025 Research interests: mammalian anatomy and functional-based movement Outside of the lab I play rugby and exercise at the gym. I also watch sports and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, and skiing. Favorite organisms: The horny toad as they as very docile, look like living dinosaurs, and finding them as a kid was considered good luck. Biology Major, Minors in Wildlife Sciences & English Literature |