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
Alex Jones
Major: Biology, emphasis in Ecology and Evolutionary Theory
Science Interests: The ecology and coevolution of invertebrates with their environments and parasite-host interaction
URCO Project: “Learning and Memory in Parasitic Nematodes”
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
URCO Project: “Learning and Memory in Parasitic Nematodes”
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
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.
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
Brianna Pickering
Education/Major: Wildlife Ecology and Management
Science Interests: Disease Pathology in relation to Aves and Brood Parasitism
Other Interests: Wildlife Photography, Art, Writing
Education/Major: Wildlife Ecology and Management
Science Interests: Disease Pathology in relation to Aves and Brood Parasitism
Other Interests: Wildlife Photography, Art, Writing
Alumnae
Kennedy Price (UG)
Aidan Henrie (UG)
Talli Gardner (UG)
Caleb Larsen (UG)
Abby Bernier (UG)
Greydon Durrant (UG)
Kennedy Price (UG)
Aidan Henrie (UG)
Talli Gardner (UG)
Caleb Larsen (UG)
Abby Bernier (UG)
Greydon Durrant (UG)