Degree(s): BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut (expected 2027)
Research Interests: Plant ecology and breeding and developmental biology
Fun Fact: I collect playing cards from everywhere I visit.
Contact: avery.desilva@uconn.edu

Degree(s): BS in Plant Science (Sustainable Agriculture), University of Connecticut (expected 2027)
Research Interests: Genetics, bioinformatics, plants, molecular lab techniques
Fun Fact: I've been dancing since I was 2 (18 years).
Contact: anastasia.serating@gmail.com

Degree(s): BS in Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut (expected 2027)
Research Interests: Genetic engineering in foods and crops, genetic therapy and DNA-based medicines, biodiversity and adaptation to environmental stress
Fun Fact: I love playing/watching hockey and cooking in my free time!
Contact: peyton.durant@uconn.edu

Degree(s): BS in Molecular and Cell Biology & BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (expected 2026)
Research Interests: Conservation genetics and genomics
Fun Fact: I have named all 169 towns in Connecticut in one sitting.
Contact: nicholas.hancox@uconn.edu

Degree(s): BS in Biological Sciences, University of Connecticut (expected 2027)
Research Interests: Conservation, genetics, adaptive responses to climate change
Fun Fact: I'm a competitive ballroom dancer
Contact: deirdremccrohan@gmail.com

Degree(s): BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut (expected 2027)
Research Interests: Conservation biology and ecology
Fun Fact: I can play the guitar!
Contact: tyler.cocchiola@uconn.edu

Degree(s): BS in Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut (2025)
Research Interests: Not sure yet, but looking to explore!
Fun Fact: My favorite TV show is Psych
Contact: samira.obbu@uconn.edu

Degree(s): BS in Molecular and Cell Biology & BS in Pathobiology, University of Connecticut (expected 2026)
Research Interests: Microbiology, epidemiology, and immunology
Fun Fact: I am developing a video game!
Contact: andrew.deierlein@uconn.edu

Degree(s): BS in Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut (2020)
Research Interests: Conservation genomics, bioinformatics, genome annotation
Fun Fact: I'm the lead singer in a band, I love rock scrambling on a hike, and I have a bearded dragon named Xanadu
Contact: cynthia.webster@uconn.edu

Degree(s): Associates in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Middlesex Community College (2021) & BS in Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut (expected 2024)
Research Interests: Genomics, CRISPR technology and applications, Genetic engineering, Nanotechnology, Microbiology, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, 3D Bioprinting, Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences, Conservation, Urban Agriculture, and much more.
Fun Fact: I love traveling, cooking, I'm a self taught herbalist, watching medical shows and I met Dr. Richard Sacra ( he contracted Ebola and survived).
Contact: cristopher.guzman@uconn.edu

Degree(s): BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (2023) & BA in Applied Mathematics (2023)
Research Interests: Plant developmental reproductive morphology, evolutionary relationships of plants, and plant ecology
Fun Fact: I like hiking, gardening, and cooking with friends!
Contact: meghan.myles@uconn.edu

Degree(s): BS Chemistry (University of Northern Iowa, 2010), BS Biology (University of Northern Iowa, 2010), PhD Integrative Life Sciences (Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018)
Research Interests: Genomics of local adaptation, predictive modeling
Fun Fact: I have three ball pythons in a bioactive enclosure with a live bromeliads
Contact: lind.brandon.m@gmail.com

Degree(s): PHD in Genetics and Human Variation from La Trobe University (1997), BA with Highest Honors in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin (1992)
Contact: Rachel.ONeill@uconn.edu

Degree(s): PhD in Information Systems and Technology from CGU/UC San Diego, MS in Computational Science from SDSU San Diego, BS in Animal Science/Computer Science from UC Davis
Contact: jill.wegrzyn@uconn.edu

Degree(s): B.A. Boston University 2003. M.S.University of Idaho 2008. Ph.D. Louisiana State University 2013. Postdoctoral Study: University of California, Davis.
Research Interests: Evolutionary genomics; genetics of adaptation; speciation; systematics and phylogeography
Contact: noah.reid@uconn.edu

Degree(s): B.S. in Biotechnology from Rutgers University, M.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from UNH
Research Interests: Method development, Long Read Sequencing, Unique and Difficult samples
Fun Fact: I love to travel and explore new places. I love to cook for family and friends, especially trying out new cuisines and recipes. Resident lab Broadway fan
Contact: Nicole.Pauloski@uconn.edu