Lab members

Austin Jameson

PhD Student

Austin is interested in how animals physiologically cope with resource restriction in their environment, with a focus on application to wildlife conservation. He graduated with his BS in Biology in 2023. Before joining the Whiteman lab, Austin did work with hydroponics and threatened plant species. He is now using stable isotope analysis to investigate how food restriction affects the water balance of terrestrial animals, from small arthropods to large mammals.

Steve Lacy, MS

PhD Student

Steve Lacy is a senior leader at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, where his career has focused on animal care, conservation, research, and the management of zoological programs.  His research interests center on the ecology and physiology of sharks and rays, particularly how these animals interact with and respond to changing aquatic environments. Steve’s master’s research explored human–shark conflict associated with the depredation of recreational fishing catches, while his doctoral research in the Whiteman Lab uses stable isotope techniques to investigate nitrogen uptake and metabolism in elasmobranchs, with the goal of connecting physiology with habitat quality and conservation. Steve is especially interested in research that bridges academic science, aquarium-based research, and practical wildlife conservation.

Patty Schenke, DVM

MS student

Patty is interested in utilizing physiology research in order to assist in wildlife conservation. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Justus-Liebig-Universität in Germany in 2008. During her time in Veterinary School, she completed internships in various biomedical laboratories, which ultimately led to her pursuit of a PhD at the Paul Ehrlich Institut in Germany. Her research included the development of a human smallpox vaccine adapted from a murine mousepox model. 

Upon relocating to the United States, she volunteered at the Virginia Zoo, gaining valuable insights into the field of conservation. This experience ignited her commitment to contribute to wildlife preservation. Patty is eager to combine her love of research and conservation for her MS. She is joining the Whiteman lab examining the water balance in polar bears to draw conclusions pertaining to their water needs and possible adaptations in their physiology. This research could bring more clarity to the impact of global warming on polar bears and subsequently be of use to the field of polar bear conservation.

Kim Nguyen

MS student

Kim graduated from Otterbein University in 2024 with a BS in Biology and Zoo & Conservation Science. From her time at Otterbein, she gained a diverse range of experiences, including sea turtle conservation and conducting a senior thesis describing turtle populations and their diet compositions. Her interest in wildlife physiology led her to an internship with the Center for Conservation & Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. As part of the Polar Bear Signature Project, she used infrared thermography (IRT) to assess temperature shifts associated with embryonic implantation and pregnancy in American mink. She is excited to join the Whiteman Lab, where she plans to study bear physiology in Southeast Asia. Outside of research, Kim enjoys reading, visiting bookstores, watching anime, and playing games.