Principal Investigator

Dr. Sarah Knutie
She/Her/Hers
Assistant Professor of EEB at UConn
Faculty Affiliate at the UConn Institute for Systems Genomics
Affiliated Professor at USFQ & GSC
​National Geographic Explorer
Faculty Advisor for the UConn chapter of ESA SEEDS
Secretary-Elect for SICB DEDE division
E-mail: sarah.knutie AT uconn.edu, Twitter: @SarahKnutie
Research interests: Disease biology, ecotoxicology, host-microbe interactions, environmental change, immunology, animal behavior
Education:
Post-doc: Integrative Biology, University of South Florida (2014-2017)
PhD: Biology, University of Utah (2009-2014)
MS: Biology, University of Tulsa (2007-2009)
BS: EEB, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2001-2006) 
First generation college student. Google Scholar Page
Favorite things: trips to Minnesota to ​visit her niece, #scicomm on Twitter, and all things (indoor) cats.

​Post-Doctoral Researchers

Dr. Ashley Love
​She/Her/Hers
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ashley completed her dissertation at Oklahoma State University in 2019 working with Dr. Sarah DuRant. Her research aims to understand the factors that contribute to individual variation in disease susceptibility and disease transmission. Her dissertation explored how infection and perceived risk of infection alter behavioral, nutritional, and physiological responses relevant to disease susceptibility and transmission in songbirds. Her recent research in the DuRant lab focused on disease-mediated maternal effects and explored whether diseases experienced by females prior to mating and egg laying can shape offspring immunity and responses to infection. In the Knutie lab, Ashley will explore how diet and gut microflora shape host defensive strategies and host-parasite interactions in box-nesting birds. Some of her favorite hobbies include birding, playing video games, hiking, reading, and spending time with her dog!
Ashley's Website!

​Graduate Students
Order in which they started in the lab

Grace Vaziri
She/Her/Hers
​PhD student in EEB 
Jorgensen Fellow
In 2017, Grace Vaziri graduated with a master’s degree from Iowa State University, where she worked with Dr. Jim Adelman. At Iowa State, she researched whether and to what extent gut parasite infection and the microbiota influence the severity of song sparrow’s immune responses to bacterial infection. Grace is especially interested in both asking questions about host-parasite-microbiome interactions, and in using experimental manipulations to assess how these interactions influence disease risk. During her PhD, she plans to conduct both field and laboratory experiments to study infection risk when hosts are faced with a variety of challenges including co-infection with different parasites, anthropogenic stressors such as pollution, and disruptions to the microbiota. She loves working on projects that use molecular biology and bioinformatics to explore eco-immunological concepts on animals in the wild (especially when she gets to do fieldwork!). Some of her favorite pastimes include running with her dog, watching anything produced by The Bachelor franchise, and reading, particularly books written by and about women. Google Scholar Page
Cindy Barreto
She/Her/Hers
​PhD student in EEB
Harriott Fellow
Cindy was a senior environmental analyst at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Brazil. Her most recent research investigated the effects of mining effluent discharge on seabirds’ health, after one of the biggest dam disaster in Brazil, occurred in 2015 in Mariana city. She received her MSc. in Biology of Freshwater Ecosystems (FURG), under the supervision of Dr. Leandro Bugoni and Dr. Adalto Bianchini. During her master’s degree, she investigated the presence of heavy metal concentrations on different tissues of Egrets and Spoonbills, relating them with foraging site and trophic level, through stable isotopes. She also holds a degree in Licentiate of Science in Biological Sciences and Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Management. She loves working with birds, aiming to contribute to their conservation. Cindy also enjoys swimming, playing videogames, reading books and, of course, loves her cats.
Cindy's Website.
Sydney Horan
She/They
PhD Student in EEB
NSF GRFP Honorable Mention
Sydney graduated with a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) in 2020, where she conducted research in the lab of Dr. Doug Woodhams. At UMB, her research explored mitigation strategies against amphibian fungal pathogens— specifically Bsal, a novel emergent disease of salamanders. During her PhD, she plans to explore what and how environmental factors influence the evolutionary ecology of avian host-ectoparasite relationships across space and time with the Nest Parasite Community Science Project. In her free time, Sydney enjoys digital art, video games, photography, and listening to music.
Sydney's Website  --  Google Scholar Page  --  46 Questions
​
​Alyssa McGurer
She/They
MS Student in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
Alyssa is a senior majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut. Once she graduates she will continue with her Master's Degree in Biodiversity and Conservation at UConn. Her previous research experience in the Wagner Lab included lepidopteran systematics, specimen archival, and preparation. Her undergraduate Honors Thesis is focused on identifying and DNA barcoding caterpillar parasitoids and their hosts. Alyssa’s future plans include more involvement with vertebrate specimen preparation, assisting with field research projects in the Knutie Lab, and finding future research questions to explore. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her cats and snake, gardening, reading, and dabbling in traditional art. 
Alex Soldo
She/Her/Hers
MS Student in EEB
Alex graduated with a B.S. from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where she conducted research under Dr. Shannon Farrell. Her research investigated the relationship between Black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) and their ground-foraging songbird hosts, specifically focusing on the differences in tick loads between different species and life stages. Alex is interested in the effect of invasive parasites and human activity on island birds and how and why some individuals, populations, and species are parasitized at different abundances, in order to inform conservation for at-risk species. During her Master’s, she plans to investigate how co-infection by multiple invasive parasites can affect the fitness of Darwin’s finches. In her free time, Alex enjoys birding, drawing, playing video games, and hanging out with her dog Larry. 

Post-Baccalaureate Fellows and Technicians

​Gabrielle Solomon
She/Her/Hers
NSF REPS Fellow
Gabby graduated in December 2018 from State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego with a Zoology B.S. During her undergraduate degree, she worked in Dr. Peter Newell’s lab investigating the gut microbiota of the invasive agricultural crop pest, Drosophila suzukii. Since then she has been a field technician on multiple different research projects, including at academic and government organizations. Most recently, she worked on a project studying the behavior and ecology of the Eastern whip-poor-will at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently in the Knutie lab as an NSF REPS fellow and is working on the effects of parasitism and urbanization on the gut microbiota of nestling and adult Darwin’s finches in the Galápagos Islands. She plans to start her master’s degree in Fall 2022 and is interested in interdisciplinary work that incorporates behavioral ecology, evolution, and genomics using birds as a study system. In her free time she is usually horseback riding, reading, painting, or spending time with her two cats. 

​Gabriela Mena
She/Her/Hers
Gabriela has a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Her research interests include birds cognition and behavior, ecology, and biodiversity conservation in the tropics. For her BSc. thesis, she explored pollination interactions for hummingbirds in the Ecuadorian Chocó. Using palynological techniques, she compared the relationship between community diversity and pollination patterns in a natural vs. human-modified habitat. In 2021, she worked as a field technician in the project “Conservation of the threatened populations of Galapagos small land birds” at the Charles Darwin Foundation in the Galapagos Islands, where she developed an interest in disease ecology. Gabriela joined Knutie’s lab as a field technician to study the effects of food supplementation in the resistance of Philornis downsi in Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos Islands. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, yoga, and nature photography. 
​
​Isabela Vargas
She/Her/Hers
Isabela has a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Her research interests include ecology and conservation, with an emphasis on species threatened by habitat modification and climate change. For her BSc. thesis she studied the restoration effect of a montane forest on bird species richness and composition in northwestern Pichincha, Ecuador. She compared different habitat types within an elevational gradient to understand how human modified habitats and environmental conditions can shape bird communities. In 2018, she volunteered in the project “Conservation of Threatened Populations of Small Land Birds” at the Charles Darwin Foundation in the Galapagos islands and also collaborated in the project “Finding Methods to Control the Invasive Fly Philornis downsi”. In 2022, Isabela Joined the Knutie lab as a field technician in the project “Effects of urbanization on the interactions between bird hosts and their invasive parasites in the Galapagos Islands”. In her free time, she likes surfing, biking, training jiu-jitsu, and nature photography.
 
​Undergraduate Students
Order in which they started in the lab
​

​Caroline Webb
She/Her/Hers
​Undergraduate Researcher in Environmental Science
Caroline is a junior at the University of Connecticut majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Environmental Economics and Policy. Her interests include conservation ecology, ecotoxicology, immunology, and the intersection of environmental and human health. In the Knutie Lab, she works on the nest parasite community science study. Outside of the lab, Caroline is a member of UConnWomen’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams. She also enjoys spending her time outside open-water swimming and has recently taken up cycling.
Shantae McIntyre
She/Her/Hers
Undergraduate Researcher in Biology
​Shantae is a senior majoring in Biology and minoring in Anthropology and Africana Studies with the goal to apply for veterinary school after graduation to combine interests in conservation and wildlife health. Ultimately, she hopes to specialize in marine wildlife. She seeks to also be a part of outreach and education for the youth, especially women and minorities wishing to pursue a career in conservation. In the Knutie lab, Shantae assists Grace Vaziri, a PhD student in the lab, studying the wood frog immune system in response to temperature change. Outside of the Lab, she is the treasure for ASEZ, Save The Earth From A-Z, an international university club established by student volunteers from the Church of God, who act to solve practical problems around the world.
Elizabeth Cochrane
She/Her/Hers
Undergraduate Researcher in Natural Resources
​SURF Awardee
Elizabeth Cochrane is a junior at UConn studying Natural Resources and the Environment with a concentration in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation with a minor in Geographic Information Science. Through her educational journey, she grew fond of Wetland Ecology and Ornithology. Elizabeth has previously conducted research in St. Croix of the USVI and in Sarasota, Florida studying coral reef health and disease. In recent years, Elizabeth has worked in outdoor education and bird of prey rehabilitation. In the Knutie lab, she will be working with the other undergraduates in the Nest Parasite Community Science Project.  You can often find Elizabeth reading historical fiction novels, listening to podcasts, or exploring new trails. ​

​Heather Bjerke
She/Her/Hers
​Undergraduate Researcher in Pathobiology
Heather is currently a sophomore majoring in Pathobiology in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut. Her main interests are pathology, biology, disease-focused research, and One-Health (the connection of the health of people, animals, and the environment, CDC). In the Knutie Lab, Heather is a future Nest Parasite Community Science crew member starting in the Fall. Outside of the lab, she is a member of the Forestry and Wildlife Club at UConn and The Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, CT. In her spare time she loves to hike, create art, and travel. She is excited to work in the lab and with her new crew members in the fall!
Kunzika
He/They
​Undergraduate Researcher in Environmental Studies
Kunzika is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Puppet Arts. Their research interests include environmental racism and its effects, entomology, and ecological conservation. In the Knutie lab, they are focusing the effects of urbanization on host-parasite interactions, as well as developing outreach for the Nest Parasite Community Science Project. In the past, they have assisted in multiple field research projects, assisted in the community-driven project EntoGEM, and conducted a literature review of indigenous BMPs for AGU 2021 Fall Meeting. Outside of the lab, Kunzika is the Secretary of UConn ESA SEEDS and spends their time creating environmental-based puppet shows. In their spare time, they like to read books, write songs, and draw.


​Vel Johnston
They/Them/Theirs
Undergraduate Researcher in Biology
Vel is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut majoring in Biology. Their research interests include parasitology, evolution, and genetics. Vel will be joining the Nest Parasite Crew in the Knutie Lab starting in Fall 2022. Vel also is an active member in UConn iGEM and the incoming Wet Lab Chair for the team. Outside of the lab Vel spends their time boxing through the UConn Boxing club, creating art, and taking walks through the woods. 

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​Patrick Sheridan
He/Him/His
Undergraduate Researcher in EEB
Patrick is a Junior majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in statistics. His research interests include conservation biology, global effects of anthropogenic climate change, biodiversity studies of avians and reptiles, and the intersection of policy and academic research. In the Knutie Lab, he is working on a research paper for his honors thesis related to the distribution of anthropogenic material in eastern bluebird nests in hopes of determining what factors influence that distribution. Outside the lab, he is a statistics tutor and volunteers at his town land trust. In his free time, Patrick enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with his friends and family.

Past Lab Members
(we miss you!!!)

Post-doctoral Researcher
Dr. Johanna Harvey (2017-2019), Currently a Fellow at the AMNH

Graduate Students
Mia Nahom (2018-2022), B.S. in EEB and M.S. in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, SURF Awardee
Jessica Gutiérrez (2019-2021), M.S. in EEB, Currently an Aquatic Field Ecologist at NEON
Amanda Deguire (2019-2020), M.S. in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

UConn Lab Technicians
Mackenzie Watkins (2018-2019), B.S. in EEB

UConn Nest Parasite Community Science Crew Member
Mahima Mehta, (2020-2022), Lead Undergrad Researcher, IDEA Awardee, B.S. in MCB
Rachel Bahouth (2019-2021), Lead Undergrad Researcher, SURF Awardee, B.S. in Biology
Jenna Bartholomew, (2021-2022), Undergraduate in NRE
Emily Cowan, (2021-2022), Undergraduate in EEB
Sharan Ghai (2018-2019), B.S. in Biology
​Amelia Mascolo (2019-2020), B.S. Biology

UConn Honor's Students and Independent Undergraduate Researchers
Bryanna Caicedo (2020-2022), B.S. in Biology, EEB Research Fellow
Alyssa Addesso (2017-2020), B.S. in MCB, IDEA Awardee
Lauren Albert (2017-2019), B.S. in EEB, SURF Awardee, Currently a PhD student at Indiana University

UConn Undergraduate Research Students
Kylee Brown (2020-2022), B.S. in NRE
Xingya Zhao (2021-2022), B.S. in EEB, Currently a Master's student at Columbia University
Joseph El-Achkar (2021-2022), B.S. in Biology
Catherine Goncalves (2019-2021), B.S. in Biology
Alyson Tomaszewski (2021), B.S. in Psychology
Jada Williams (2021), Undergraduate in Animal Science
​Jada Bygrave (2020), B.S. in Natural Resources
Jamie Kurowski, (2020), B.S. in EEB
Daniel Shoushani (2019), B.S. in MCB
Rob Lepore (2019), B.S. in Biology
Rachel Barta (2019) B.S. in Pathobiology

Itasca and Galapagos Field Technicians
Taylor Verrett, M.S. (2018-2019), Currently a PhD student at the University of Oklahoma
Suzannah Tupy (2020-2021), B.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Victoria Simons (2021), B.S. in Wildlife Biology, Currently a Master's Student at Colorado State University 
Kiley Chernicky (2018), B.S. in Biology, Currently a Master's Student at DePaul University
Shelby Simon (2018), B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Currently a Master's Student at the University of Georgia

High School Student Researchers
Logan Stech (2020), White Earth Reservation Research Intern, Current an undergraduate at UMN-Morris
Past Undergraduate Researchers


Click here for past University of South Florida undergraduates.
Our Amazing Collaborators:
Susan Balenger (University of Mississippi)
Charles Brown (University of Tulsa)
Mike Butler (Lafayette College)
Jaime Chaves (Universidad San Francisco de Quito)
Ethan Clotfelter (Amherst College)
Muir Eaton (Drake University)
Kiyoko Gotanda (University of Cambridge)
Kevin Kohl (University of Pittsburgh)
Jennifer Koop (UMass - Dartmouth)
Jeb Owen (Washington State University)
Dominique Potvin (University of the Sunshine Coast)
​Jacques Robert (University of Rochester)
Jason Rohr (University of South Florida)
Maxine Zylberberg (University of California, San Francisco)
Itasca Biological Station
Peregrine Fund (Martin Quiroga and David Anderson)
Galapagos Science Center

...Your name here??
Sarah A. Knutie
University of Connecticut, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
75 N. Eagleville Rd., Unit 3043, Storrs, CT 06269-3043
E-mail: saknutie AT gmail.com or sarah.knutie AT uconn.edu
Updated August 2019
Locations of Site Visitors