I am fully immersed in the captivating realm of nectar-feeding bats. My research focuses on the functional morphology of these bats and the unique adaptations associated with their feeding behavior, which have independently emerged numerous times in bat evolutionary history. I am particularly fascinated by the convergent adaptations that these bats have developed due to their feeding habits.

Beatriz is co-advised by Dr. Roberta Mason-Gamer

I am particularly passionate about uncovering hidden biodiversity patterns and understanding the evolutionary processes that have shaped the remarkable diversity of Neotropical bats. I integrate cutting-edge genomic tools, detailed morphological analyses, and geometric morphometrics to investigate hidden diversity within this group. This current work builds upon my previous studies of the bat genus Lophostoma and early research on bat diversity in the Eastern Andes of Colombia. My research contributes to our understanding of bat systematics, taxonomy, and evolution, while also providing valuable insights for their conservation.

Diego is co-advised by Dr. María João Ramos

I am passionate about wildlife conservation and the study of species that are at risk in response to environmental changes in their habitats. I have worked with special-status species across multiple groups over the past decade including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and more. My current research focuses on the impact of environmental factors such as climate change on bat populations in the Peruvian Andes through the lenses of social behavior, neuroethology, and communication. It aims to unravel how the environment shapes behavior and will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the impact that different environments have on bat conservation and the neural underpinnings of social behavior.

Emily is co-advised by Dr. Angeles Salles

I’m intrigued by how small mammals (rodents, insectivores, marsupials, etc.) adapt to extreme environments, with a particular focus on montane populations facing rapidly fluctuating conditions. I intend to integrate genomics and morphology to uncover the functional consequences of evolutionary change, especially how protein-level adaptations may reflect trade-offs that allow survival under environmental stress, further avoiding extinction. I also have a passion for working with high-resolution digital CT scans of museum specimens, using them to capture morphological differences among populations and link these patterns to broader ecological contexts. 

Jess is co-advised by Dr. Joseph Walker.

I am interested in mammal teeth and the evolutionary history of bats using their fossil record. I am currently investigating the mechanisms underlying the early radiation and subsequent ecological diversification of the group.

I have always been fascinated by the natural processes that shape the Earth and how humanity influences them. This curiosity is reflected in my chosen academic path, starting with a Bachelor’s in Future Planet Studies and continuing with a Master’s in Earth Sciences. Over time, I have increasingly gravitated toward the technical side of environmental research, particularly working with GIS software and R coding. Recently, this interest has culminated in a fascination with species distribution modeling, which I am now incorporating into my Master’s thesis research.

Sander is co-advised by Dr. Carina Hoorn

I have always found mammals fascinating because of their remarkable diversity of shapes, body sizes and ecological adaptations. In my research, I aim to assess the evolution of mandibular size and shape across all mammalian groups using two-dimensional geometric morphometric techniques. This will be the first study to apply geometric morphometrics with a large sample size and broad taxonomic coverage of Mammalia. It will provide a foundation for future research on diet, mandibular shape and evolutionary patterns in mammals. I am currently visiting the Field Museum to expand my dataset and perform the analyses.

Francisco is advised by Dr. Diego Astúa and is a Sandwich PhD student in the lab.

I am currently researching different aspects of the ecology and evolution of armadillos (order Cingulata). Specifically, I seek to uncover how these species’ temporal activity and spatial distribution are affected by human-induced climatic and landscape changes and how past environmental conditions and available ecological niches shaped the phenotypic diversity currently found in this group. I have experience working with armadillo ecology as a graduate student and with morphometry (applied to paleontology) as an undergraduate. I hope that my research can lead to an improved scientific understanding and more effective conservation efforts for this group of animals, which are an iconic part of the American continent’s biodiversity.

Marcela is advised by Drs. María João Ramos and Flavia Tirelli, and is a Sandwich PhD student in the lab.