Ellie received a B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.S. in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Hawai’i, Hilo, and a PhD in Biology from Stanford University. She is broadly interested in genome biology, evolution, and how we can apply this knowledge to species conservation. Ellie loves to bake, play with her dogs, and watch hockey!

Maria is an NSF postdoctoral research fellow co-advised by Kieran Samuk. She received a B.S. in Biology from University of California, Los Angeles, an M.S. in Biology from California State University, Northridge, and a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University. She is broadly interested in evolutionary genomics, focusing on reconstructing demographic histories, characterizing recombination landscapes and structural variation, and investigating the genomic architecture of adaptation. Maria enjoys painting, clay and macrame crafting, and dancing!

Elisabeth Leung is a second year PhD student who received her B.S in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology & Data Science from Northeastern University. She is interested in using population genomics to answer evolutionary questions and studying genomic responses to urbanization. Outside of research, Elisabeth likes to read, thrift, and bake banana bread!

Raya Esplin is co-advised by Dr. Arun Sethuraman at San Diego State University. She earned her B.S. in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University. Her research focuses on evolutionary and conservation genomics, applying computational methods to understand genetic health in small populations. Beyond research, Raya is a classically trained flutist, as well as an avid reader, skier, tennis player, and traveller.

Holland is an incoming first-year Ph.D. student who received her B.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology from Western Washington University. Her research focuses on developing and applying genomic tools to aid in wildlife conservation and the protection of endangered species. Outside of the lab, Holland enjoys tidepooling, collecting unique earrings, and basking in the sun like a reptile.

Max is an incoming M.S. student who recently graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in Conservation Biology. His research will focus on using genomics, stable isotope analysis, and other ecological and spatial techniques to inform conservation decision making at both the species and ecosystem level. When not working in the lab or the field, Max loves cooking recipes from the NYT, landscape and wildlife photography, and finding swimming holes to jump in.