People

Brandon M. Lind, former postdoc

B.S. Chemistry, B.S. Biology from the University of Northern Iowa 2010

Ph.D. Integrative Life Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University 2018

Previous postdoc with Sally Aitken (University of British Columbia) and Sam Yeaman (University of Calgary)
working on the CoAdapTree Project.

Email: lind.brandon.m@gmail.com 

[Personal Website] -- [Google Scholar] -- [GitHub]

Remy Gatins (she/her), former postdoc

B.S. Biology from Universidad de las Américas Puebla, México in 2011

M.Sc. Marine Science from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia in 2014

Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from University of California Santa Cruz in 2021

Email: r.gatins@northeastern.edu

My research is broadly focused on the ecology and evolution of marine organisms. I am interested in understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that drive biodiversity patterns in a rapidly changing environment at the genomic, population, and species-level. Evolutionary processes such as adaptation and speciation—the process by which new species arise—depend on the population's genetic makeup. As climate change continues to accelerate, species' persistence will depend on their populations’ ability to adapt quickly to new demographic and environmental conditions. Recently, I obtained an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship to test the evolutionary theory of the accumulation of deleterious mutations in a rapid climate-driven range expansion and harvested marine fish, Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata).

[Personal Website] -- [Google Scholar] -- [Github]

Remy moved on to a faculty position at Northeastern University after her postdoc in the lab.

Elisabeth Leung, former undergrad

Candidate for a B.S in Data Science and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 

I am a rising third-year at Northeastern from Seattle, Washington! I am interested in studying how climate change is affecting population structure, biodiversity, and genomics. In my free time, I like to read, especially in my hammock. 

Co-op student from May through December 2022. 

Email: leung.el@northeastern.edu

Elisabeth completed an Honor's Thesis and moved onto a PhD program after graduation.

Fin Li, former undergrad

Candidate for a B.S. in Marine Biology with a minor in Data Science

I’m a rising second-year at Northeastern. Currently, I have a variety of interests, including impacts of climate change, ichthyology, and applications of data science in the marine sciences. I’m also fond of science writing and scientific illustration. 

Summer 2023 Intern

Email: li.sop@northeastern.edu

Clara Winguth, former undergrad

B.S. in Environmental Science NU Class of 2023

I am interested in evolutionary genomics and plastic responses to climate change. For my capstone project, I will be working on educational tools while enhancing my knowledge of quantitative genetics. I enjoy baking and working out in my free time!

Capstone student from January through April 2023.

Clara moved onto a Masters program in Germany after graduation.

Sarah Wagner, former high school intern

I am a class of 2022 graduate of Innovation Academy in Tyngsboro, and plan to pursue studies in life sciences at UMass Amherst in the Fall. I collect data on seascape conditions and their correlations with diseases impacting the eastern oyster to assist in the compilation of a larger database. In my free time I enjoy playing soccer, hiking, and extremely competitive rounds of Wii DDR.

Sarah was a high school intern and moved onto a bachelor's program at UMass.

Annie Christie, former undergrad

Candidate for a B.S. in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences with a concentration in Conservation, Restoration, and Management

I am interested in the study of invasive and endangered species, ecological and evolutionary genomics, native pollinator species, and biological diversity. In my free time I am a passionate beekeeper and gardener! 

Co-op student from August through December 2022.

Email: christie.a@northeastern.edu

Thais Bittar (former Lab Manager)

B.S. Biology from Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Brazil in 2002

Ph.D. Phytoplankton Ecology and Biogeochemistry from Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Brazil in 2010

Alan Downey-Wall, Former PhD Student

PhD Northeastern University, Lotterhos Lab

B.S. Marine Science and Environmental Studies from Eckerd College

M.S. Marine Biology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 

I am broadly interested in using and developing molecular and statistical tools to study population dynamics and adaption in marine organisms, particularly on contemporary timescales. Previously, my research focused on understanding dispersal patterns in the invasive red lionfish, Pterois volitans, and incorporating dispersal into predictive removal models to improve the overall management of the species. Currently, I am interested in examining local adaptation using both theoretical and empirical data, with a focus on adaptive responses to ocean acidification and other global change stressors in marine systems. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, hiking, scuba diving, and competitive games of Cards Against Humanity.

Alan moved on to work for Embark after completing his his PhD in the lab.

Sara Schaal, Former PhD Student

B.S. Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

PhD Northeastern University, Lotterhos Lab

I am originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I received my undergraduate degree and pursued research in two fields: the ecosystem impacts of an invasive mussel on optics in a freshwater lake and the population genetic structure of a freshwater algae species. My current research interests include fisheries management, evolutionary adaptation to climate change, how local adaptation leads to population divergence and understanding ecology and evolution through the use of mathematical models. Other than loving any science related activities, I enjoy playing soccer, going for bike rides, hiking and playing with my big pup Stella!

Sara moved on to work for NOAA and earn an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow after completing his his PhD in the lab.

Dylan Titmuss, Former undergrad co-op

I am a recently graduated Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and English student, and I’m originally from the Gower Peninsula in Wales. I’ve been fascinated by nature, especially marine and coastal ecosystems, for as long as I can remember, and I’m particularly interested in the intersection of ecology and evolution with genetics. In addition to being a student, I teach science classes to Boston-area K-12 students through various organizations, including Science Club for Girls, Boston EcoScholars, and NEPTUN, and I am also a Zumba instructor! In my free time, I love bird-watching, baking, reading, writing poetry, and watching far too many BBC nature programmes... :)

Eric Prileson, former volunteer

BA History, Northeastern University, 2011

Incoming MS Student in Ecology & Evolutionary Bio - Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

After working as a K-12 science educator for 8 years, I am headed back to school in an MS research program at CWRU. I am broadly interested in adaptation to environmental stressors such as climate change; more specifically, I am interested in how phenotypic plasticity and transgenerational plasticity can play a role in evolutionary rescue for vulnerable organisms and cascading ecological effects. In my free time, I enjoy paddling, camping, and exploring the outdoors!

Lauren Zane, RCN Mentee Program

Undergraduate from UC Berkeley, Evolving Seas Virtual Lab Meeting Mentoring Program

Ian Birchler, RCN Mentee Program

Undergraduate from the University of Maine, Evolving Seas Virtual Lab Meeting Mentoring Program

Molly Albecker (former postdoc)

B.S. Biology and American Studies from the University of Mary Washington

M.S. Biology from East Carolina University in 2011

Ph.D. Biology from East Carolina University in 2018

I am working on the Research Coordinated Network for Evolution in Changing Seas to synthesize, integrate, and advance our understanding of evolution in changing seas. I am also generally interested in how various mechanisms like phenotypic plasticity, life history traits, and physiology evolve in response to environmental change. 

[Google Scholar profile] [Twitter @molly_albecker] [Website]

Molly moved ont oa faculty position at UT Houston after completing a postdoc on the lab.

Helen (Ellie) Clark (former high school intern)

I am from Swampscott, and I am a junior at Essex Technical High School studying biotechnology. I've been interested in biology and environmental studies since elementary school, and I am planning on continuing my studies in biotechnology after high school. I am on my school's cross country and track teams, and in my free time I enjoy playing the violin and viola and spending time outdoors.

Jason VuNguyen  (former high school intern)

I am currently a senior at Revere High School who is planning to pursue studies in environmental engineering. Since I was a toddler, I have always had an interest in math and the sciences. So, this led to me to join my school’s Environmental Club and even start the Math Team. Aside from my academic interests, I enjoy playing basketball, running, and non-competitive table tennis. 

Áki Jarl Láruson (former postdoc)

B.S. General Biology (Chemistry minor) from Humboldt State University in 2010

Ph.D. Zoology (specialization in Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology) from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2018

Population genetics, phylogenetics, marine invertebrate zoology, bioinformatics

[Google Scholar profile] [Twitter @AkiJarl] [GitHub] [Website]

K. Bodie Weedop (former technician)

B.S. Biology from Utah State University in 2017

Bodie left us in 2019 to start his PhD at the University of Georgia.  Google Scholar GitHub website.

Jo-Anne Purdy 

(Westborough High School, high school teacher)

Banafsheh Salamat 

(Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, high school teacher)

Kevin Freeman (former Masters in Bioinformatics co-op)

B.S. Biology from Northeastern University in 2017

M.S. Bioinformatics from Northeastern University in 2019

Camila Cortina 

(former undergraduate co-op and Honors thesis student, NU Class of 2019) Currently pursuing a PhD at UT Austin

Isabel Gutowski 

(former undergraduate co-op)

Peter Garneau 

(former undergraduate volunteer)

Kevin Wasko 

(former undergraduate co-op)

Samantha Schloeman 

(former undergraduate volunteer)

Sanket Revadkar 

(former research volunteer) 

Elizabeth Allen 

(former high school intern, graduate of Watertown High School in Watertown)

Kira Becker 

(former high school intern, graduate of Gann Academy in Waltham)

Brett Ford 

(former research technician)

Currently Bioinformatician at Embark [Google Scholar Profile] [Twitter @bmichael4d] 

Jonathan B. Puritz (former postdoc)

Currently Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island)

[Google Scholar Profile] [ResearhGate Profile] [Twitter @JonPuritz] [Website]

Amber Eule-Nashoba (former postdoc)

Jaxine Wolfe 

(former undergraduate, NU class of 2019)

Sandi Scripa 

(former undergraduate, NU class of 2018)   

Laura Long

 (former high school intern, Undergraduate Class of 2022 UC San Diego)

Jeanne Bloomberg 

(Capstone project in 2016, NU class of 2016)

Julia Lane 

(former high school intern in 2016, Marblehead High School)

Left to study Marine Science at California State University, Monterey Bay

Vanessa Guerra (former technician 2014-2015)

Left to pursue a PhD at Simon Fraser University

Pam Denish 

(former undergraduate, Undergraduate Class of 2015 Wake Forest University) 

Currently pursuing a PhD at UC Davis

Sarah Poulin 

(former undergraduate, Undergraduate Class of 2015 Wake Forest University)

Currently a graduate student at Duke University's Nicholas School for the Environment

Ryan Haldieri 

(former high school intern)