Principal Investigator
Sara B. Weinstein
she/her/hers
Assistant Professor: 2022-present
Education: UC Berkeley (B.A. in Integrative Biology), UC Santa Barbara (PhD in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology)
Science Interests: The ecology and evolution of host-parasite interactions, vertebrate microbiomes, disease ecology, rat trapping.
Other interests: Hiking, snowboarding, baking, gardening
she/her/hers
Assistant Professor: 2022-present
Education: UC Berkeley (B.A. in Integrative Biology), UC Santa Barbara (PhD in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology)
Science Interests: The ecology and evolution of host-parasite interactions, vertebrate microbiomes, disease ecology, rat trapping.
Other interests: Hiking, snowboarding, baking, gardening
Postdoctoral Researchers
Mary-Kate Williams
Postdoctoral Researcher: 2025 - Present
Education: Ph.D. Ecology, M.Sc. Entomology, B.Sc. General Biology
Science Interests: Entomology, invertebrate pathology, disease ecology, host-pathogen interactions, molecular biology
Other interests: Photography, parasitology
Postdoctoral Researcher: 2025 - Present
Education: Ph.D. Ecology, M.Sc. Entomology, B.Sc. General Biology
Science Interests: Entomology, invertebrate pathology, disease ecology, host-pathogen interactions, molecular biology
Other interests: Photography, parasitology
Graduate Students
Keri Mitchell
M.Sc. Student: 2023 - Present
Education: Emmanuel College 2022; B.S. in Biology
Science Interests: The microbiome, bacteriophages, and interactions between commensal bacteria, hosts, and parasites. I am interested in understanding how microbes contribute to physiological and evolutionary changes.
Other interests: Hiking, surfing, skiing, and cooking
M.Sc. Student: 2023 - Present
Education: Emmanuel College 2022; B.S. in Biology
Science Interests: The microbiome, bacteriophages, and interactions between commensal bacteria, hosts, and parasites. I am interested in understanding how microbes contribute to physiological and evolutionary changes.
Other interests: Hiking, surfing, skiing, and cooking
Sammy Baron
M.Sc. Student: 2025 - Present
Education: University of Delaware 2022; B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, B.S. in Insect Ecology and Conservation
Science Interests: Disease ecology; community ecology; wildlife conservation and management, especially of mammals
Other interests: Backpacking, baking, skiing, and reading
M.Sc. Student: 2025 - Present
Education: University of Delaware 2022; B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, B.S. in Insect Ecology and Conservation
Science Interests: Disease ecology; community ecology; wildlife conservation and management, especially of mammals
Other interests: Backpacking, baking, skiing, and reading
Undergraduates
Lexie Jones
Major: Biology, emphasis in Ecology and Evolutionary Theory
Science Interests: The ecology and coevolution of invertebrates with their environments and parasite-host interaction
Other interests: Reading, painting, swing dancing, and keeping my plants alive.
Major: Biology, emphasis in Ecology and Evolutionary Theory
Science Interests: The ecology and coevolution of invertebrates with their environments and parasite-host interaction
Other interests: Reading, painting, swing dancing, and keeping my plants alive.
Madison Patch
Major: Biology, emphasis in Human Biology
Minors: Computer Science, Data Analytics, Chemistry
Science Interests: Seasonal and environmental effects on parasite-host interactions, parasite communities of free ranging hosts, computational approaches
URCO Project: “Optimizing Methods for Characterizing Parasite Communities in Free-Ranging Horses”
Other interests: snowboarding, hiking, rock climbing, embroidery
Major: Biology, emphasis in Human Biology
Minors: Computer Science, Data Analytics, Chemistry
Science Interests: Seasonal and environmental effects on parasite-host interactions, parasite communities of free ranging hosts, computational approaches
URCO Project: “Optimizing Methods for Characterizing Parasite Communities in Free-Ranging Horses”
Other interests: snowboarding, hiking, rock climbing, embroidery
Aidan Henrie
Major: Biology
Science Interests: Microbiology of waste water. Current MVP of Team Beaver Parasite
Other interests: Music
Major: Biology
Science Interests: Microbiology of waste water. Current MVP of Team Beaver Parasite
Other interests: Music
Elena Hill
Major: Wildlife Ecology and Management with a minor in Biology
Science Interests: Disease ecology of mammals and the interactions between parasites and their environment.
Other interests: Hiking, traveling, coffee, photography, painting, watching anime, and swing dancing.
Major: Wildlife Ecology and Management with a minor in Biology
Science Interests: Disease ecology of mammals and the interactions between parasites and their environment.
Other interests: Hiking, traveling, coffee, photography, painting, watching anime, and swing dancing.
Zane Bryant
Major: Forest Ecology and Management
Science Interests: Forest pathology and the effects of invasive species at an ecosystem level.
URCO Project: "Are Woodrats Farming Fungus?"
Other interests: Mountain biking, Skiing, Hiking, and playing guitar.
Major: Forest Ecology and Management
Science Interests: Forest pathology and the effects of invasive species at an ecosystem level.
URCO Project: "Are Woodrats Farming Fungus?"
Other interests: Mountain biking, Skiing, Hiking, and playing guitar.
Kennedy Price
Major: Wildlife Ecology and Management
Science Interests: Predator-prey dynamics and ecosystem interactions. Parasite-host interactions and how they influence behavior.
Other interests: camping, climbing, and frolicking outside!
Major: Wildlife Ecology and Management
Science Interests: Predator-prey dynamics and ecosystem interactions. Parasite-host interactions and how they influence behavior.
Other interests: camping, climbing, and frolicking outside!
Gretchen Blackburn
Science Interests: Parasite-host interactions and behavioral impacts, microbiology, infectious diseases
Other interests: Cycling, skiing, Irish music, hot air balloons
Science Interests: Parasite-host interactions and behavioral impacts, microbiology, infectious diseases
Other interests: Cycling, skiing, Irish music, hot air balloons
Alumnae
Talli Gardner (UG)
Caleb Larsen (UG)
Abby Bernier (UG)
Greydon Durrant (UG)
Talli Gardner (UG)
Caleb Larsen (UG)
Abby Bernier (UG)
Greydon Durrant (UG)