Team
Lab Alumni
Lab Alumni
*academic level and research at the time of affiliation with the lab
Laura F.B. Marangoni, Postdoctoral Researcher (2020-2023)
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I am a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), and my research focuses on the physiological and biochemical aspects related to the process of coral bleaching. I am currently contributing to a large-scale program (the Rohr Reef Resilience program) to investigate the potential drivers and mechanisms of Tropical Eastern Pacific coral reef resilience, and developing improved strategies to be applied in reef restoration programs based on coral nutrition.
Dana Alejandra Velasco-Montoya, MSc. (2024)
Universidad del Valle & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I am a marine biologist with a passion for evolution and ecology. I have loved coral reefs and the organisms that inhabit them since I was a child. My main research interests are the genetic connectivity of marine populations, and lately I have been investigating the relationship between corals and their endosymbiont algae. I find it amazing how the environment shapes not only the species but also the relationships that species have with each other
Thais Lemos Quintão, PhD. Candidate (2023)
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I am a Brazilian PhD student conducting research on cryptobenthic fishes. I am interested in understanding how miniaturization has affected taxonomic diversification and trophic ecology. I am also focused on using environmental DNA analyses to detect cryptobenthic species.
Eleanor Dunleavy, MSc. student (co-advised with Frédéric Guichard) (2024)
McGill University & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I am a marine ecologist from Bermuda, interested in the structuring of coral reefs communities and their resilience, particularly how this may change with the effects of climate change and anthropogenic stressors. During my undergraduate degree, I was investigating how temperature influenced larval settlement. My master’s project aims to answer questions about how the environmental gradient along the Gulf of Panama influences the coral symbiont relationship and contributes to where corals are distributed.
Teresa Villalaz, MSc. (2022)
Université Paris Saclay – AgroParisTech & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I am a panamanian animal biologist, interested in physiology, behavior and conservation. My research focuses on characterizing the diversity of marine vertebrates in the Tropical Eastern Pacific of Panama using analyses of environmental DNA in seawater.
Nardi de la Torre, BSc. (2022)
Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
As a STRI intern, my research focuses on alpha and beta diversity patterns in Pocillopora coral microbiomes, and I am particularly interested in the relationship between coral microbial communities and reef resilience. I also have a strong side interest in ecological interactions and fish behavior.
Areliz Maila, BSc. Student (2024)
Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam Tena, Ecuador & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I am interested in the monitoring of fish populations with environmental DNA, the characterization of population dynamics and community mapping with the aim of understanding the functioning of aquatic ecosystems and the challenges they face. In the laboratory I am contributing to a project that aims at understanding the distribution of sharks and rays in estuaries of the Pacific of Panama and Costa Rica.
Leia Zhao, BSc. (2023)
University of Cambridge & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Hello! My research focuses on using DNA metabarcoding to detect potential dietary shifts in herbivorous reef fishes during upwelling in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. This can provide valuable insights on how they regulate reef dynamics by controlling macroalgae abundance throughout the year. I’m especially interested in using DNA based techniques to investigate and find solutions for ecosystems threatened by global change.
Caitlin McNally, BSc. (2023)
Brown University & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
As an intern at STRI, I work with Laura Lardinois on how the microbiome of coral reef fish respond to changing environments. I am particularly excited by the emerging field of ocean biogeochemistry, focusing on how biologically crucial elements cycle through oceans. Outside of the lab, I am interested in utilizing scientific findings to develop effective environmental policy to protect our oceans.
Olivier Collard, MSc. (2022-2023)
Université de Liège & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I am a graduate masters student in oceanography from the University of Liège (Belgium) who is fascinated by coral ecology. I am currently studying the influence of upwelling on the Symbiodiniaceae community of the coral Pocillopora spp. I work particularly on identifying the endosymbiont community through sequencing and observing their dynamics throughout the upwelling and wet season of the Pacific coast of Panama.
Sayre Allison Rooney, BSc. student (2024)
Northeastern University & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Through my research into the intestinal microbiome of herbivorous fish, I am seeking to further characterize the role that these fish species play in coral reef ecosystems. I am particularly fascinated by the connection between the intestinal microbiome and overall organism health. I am finishing a bachelor’s degree in cell biology and am eager to investigate marine ecosystems through a molecular lens.
Analía Guerrero, BSc. student (2021-2023)
Universidad Marítima Internacional de Panamá & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I’m finishing my undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. I’m very interested in using molecular tools to understand the symbiosis between corals and their algal and bacterial associates. For my research project, I am isolating and sequencing the DNA of the dinoflagellate algae and the bacteria associated with Pocillopora corals to understand their resilience to climate change.
Angelica E. Estrada, BSc. (2022-2024)
Universidad Latina de Panamá & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Among my interests are the study of species of marine origin, the understanding of symbiotic relationships between organisms, as well as the development of possible techniques for the preservation and restoration of species and habitats affected by anthropogenic activities or climate change.
Maria Andrea Lacayo, BSc. student (2023-2024)
Universidad Latina de Panamá & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I am an undergraduate biotechnology student with extensive understanding in molecular and synthetic biology, with a passion for science communication and arts. My course work revolves around biosensing and toxicology in elasmobranchs from the TEP. I am currently working on mapping the distribution and ecology of sharks using environmental DNA, alongside the eCSI team. I enjoy creating vlogs about laboratory and field work, as well as discussing different perspectives with my peers.
Adera Craig, BSc. student (2024)
University of Chicago & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
My primary research interest is in marine biogeography, focusing on the impacts of historic and current climatic shifts on species distribution. At STRI, I am investigating the diet of sister species of butterflyfish across the Panamanian isthmus to understand their ecomorpholgy. For my Bachelor’s research, I am working on two projects: exploring global phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships within the Chaetodontidae family, and investigating the historical impacts of Chicago’s steel industry on freshwater fish populations.
Lucía Morales, BSc. student (2023-2024)
Universidad Marítima Internacional de Panamá & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I am a undergraduate student from the International Maritime University of Panamá currently focusing on the evolution of feeding characters in reef fishes – such as angelfish, damselfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, groupers, among others. In this research project, I conduct dissections and take morphometric data. I also have a strong interest in fish physiology and underwater bioacoustics to learn how natural and anthropogenic sounds affect the abundance and proliferation of coral reefs and reef fish.