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Our lab uses field experiments and molecular work to understand
causal relationships among avian hosts, parasites, and the environment.
We are committed to:
Immersive training of undergraduate students and post-bacc researchers
Collaborating with bird nest box stewards throughout the eastern US
Working with Hartford middle school teachers and their students
For updates on the lab, click here.
causal relationships among avian hosts, parasites, and the environment.
We are committed to:
Immersive training of undergraduate students and post-bacc researchers
Collaborating with bird nest box stewards throughout the eastern US
Working with Hartford middle school teachers and their students
For updates on the lab, click here.
Principle Investigator
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Dr. Sarah Knutie
She/Her/Hers Assistant Professor of EEB at UConn Faculty Affiliate at the UConn Institute for Systems Genomics, USFQ & GSC, National Geographic Explorer, Faculty Advisor for the UConn chapter of ESA SEEDS, Former secretary for SICB DEDE division E-mail: sarah.knutie AT uconn.edu, Twitter: @SarahKnutie Research interests: Disease ecology & evolution, environmental change, ecoimmunology, microbiomes, animal behavior, Google Scholar 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) Favorite things: trips to Minnesota to visit her niece, traveling with her partner, and all things (indoor) cats. First gen college student, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+ proud. Nat Geo Live Speaker: To book me as a speaker at your venue, click here. |
Graduate Students
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Sila Inanoglu She/Her/Hers PhD Student in EEB NSF Graduate Research Fellow Sila graduated with a B.S in Biological Sciences from the University of Connecticut in the spring of 2024. She began working on the NPCS project in the Knutie lab back in the fall of 2022 and became project leader in the fall of 2023. In Summer 2023, she conducted a SURF project investigating the effect of alpha pinene, the volatile compound in pine needles, on ectoparasite resistance in tree swallows. For her PhD, she is interested in examining the behavior and microbiome of bird blowflies and researching how host defenses vary in populations across space and time. In her free time, Sila loves arts and crafts, cooking, DnD, and going on nature walks. Website |
Awards:
Winner - Best Student Presentation Competition (2025) - Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology, Annual Meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
Awardee - National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2024)
Third Place - Best Student Poster Competition (2024) - Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology, Annual Meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
Winner - Best Student Presentation Competition (2025) - Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology, Annual Meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
Awardee - National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2024)
Third Place - Best Student Poster Competition (2024) - Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology, Annual Meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
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Lorraine Pérez-Beauchamp She/Her Master's Student in EEB NSF Graduate Research Fellow Lorraine graduated with a B.S in Biological Sciences from the University of Connecticut. She began working in the lab as an undergraduate student where she worked for the NPCS and Galapagos projects. In Spring 2023, she completed an NSF-REU in the Galápagos Islands examining the effects of cigarette tobacco on the health survival of invasive avian vampire flies. For her master’s project, she wants to evaluate how female finch behavior relates to disease risk of urban vs. non-urban finch nestlings. During her free time, Lorraine enjoys watching movies, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and loved ones. |
Funded by: Sigma Xi GIAR, UConn El Instituto, and American Ornithological Society.
Presentation and Publication:
Pérez-Beauchamp, L. L., Contreras, J., Goldberg, K., Mena, G., Soldo, A., Chaves, J. A., & Knutie, S. A. Cigarette tobacco reduces the survival of an invasive parasite that affects Darwin’s finches. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Seattle, WA, 2024.
Awarded: Best Student Poster Presentation in Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology
Publication: in Biological Invasions. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-024-03278-6
Awards
Runner-up - Best Student Presentation Competition (2025) - Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology, Annual Meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
Awardee - National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2024)
Winner - Best Student Poster Competition (2024) - Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology, Annual Meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
Presentation and Publication:
Pérez-Beauchamp, L. L., Contreras, J., Goldberg, K., Mena, G., Soldo, A., Chaves, J. A., & Knutie, S. A. Cigarette tobacco reduces the survival of an invasive parasite that affects Darwin’s finches. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Seattle, WA, 2024.
Awarded: Best Student Poster Presentation in Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology
Publication: in Biological Invasions. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-024-03278-6
Awards
Runner-up - Best Student Presentation Competition (2025) - Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology, Annual Meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
Awardee - National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2024)
Winner - Best Student Poster Competition (2024) - Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology, Annual Meeting of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
Undergraduate Students
In no particular order
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Carrie Sleath She/He Undergraduate Researcher in EEB Carrie is currently a junior majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Her main interests are animal behavior, urbanization, and wildlife conservation. In the Knutie lab, Carrie has been a member of the Nest Parasite Community Science crew since Spring of 2024. During the summer 2024, Carrie will be conducting field research on the effect of egg incubation temperature on interactions between Eastern bluebirds and nest ectoparasites. Outside of the lab, Carrie enjoys hiking, reading, writing, and cooking. |
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Carissa Leung She/Her Undergraduate Researcher in EEB and ANSC Carissa is a senior pursuing dual degrees in Animal Science and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology here at UConn! Since joining the Knutie lab in 2023, Carissa has been a member of the Nest Parasite Community Science Crew as a lab and field analysis assistant. Her current research is investigating how the skin thermoregulatory characteristics of eastern bluebird nestlings mediate the effect of egg incubation temperatures on nest parasite abundance and diversity. Outside of research, Carissa enjoys gardening, drawing, reading, and fostering cats |
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Lauren Jolles She/Her Undergraduate Researcher in EEB Lauren is a returning student at UConn, pursuing a B.A. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. She graduated from UConn with a B.A. in English (2020), B.S. in Secondary Education (2020), and M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction (2021). Lauren joined the Knutie Lab’s Nest Parasite Community Science crew in the fall of 2024. She particularly enjoys learning about speciation, natural selection, and the social and maternal behaviors of vertebrates. |
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Solace Barata They/Them Undergraduate Researcher in EEB Solace is currently an undergraduate sophomore majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Their interests include ornithology, wildlife conservation, and wildlife rehabilitation. Solace loves birding and enjoys arts and crafts as well as video games and listening to music. |
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Anna Cadman She/Her Undergraduate Researcher in MCB Anna is a junior majoring in Molecular Cell Biology in the college of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Her research interests are in genetics, parasitic relationships, and evolutionary biology. In the Knutie Lab, Anna has been a member since Fall of 2024 in the Nest Parasite Community Science group. When she is not in the lab, Anna loves crocheting, knitting, hiking, and sewing. |
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Casey Cofsky She/her Undergraduate Researcher in Biology Casey is an undergraduate junior in UConn’s CLAS pursuing a BS in biology with a minor in EEB. She’s always been a nerd about plants, bugs, and all things nature, so she loves being a part of the nest parasite crew! Outside of school, Casey enjoys baking, painting, and playing sports. You can also catch her performing in UConn’s marching band and acting with Dramatic Paws! |
Prospective Members
Please contact Sarah Knutie (sarah.knutie AT uconn.edu) if any of the opportunities below interest you.
Updated 25-May-2025
Please contact Sarah Knutie (sarah.knutie AT uconn.edu) if any of the opportunities below interest you.
Updated 25-May-2025
Our research currently focuses on the eco-evo dynamics between birds and their parasites. Our research systems include: 1) Darwin's finches and their invasive avian vampire flies (Philornis downsi) in the Galapagos Islands, and 2) box-nesting birds (bluebirds, swallows) and their nest ectoparasites throughout the Eastern US. Although I enjoyed my work on frog-parasite-microbiome interactions, we are not currently working with this system.
Generally, I'm looking for personnel who want to work on our existing host-parasite systems above but want to take the research in a new direction with their skills and knowledge.
Post-docs:
I do not currently have funding for a post-doc position. However, I'd be happy to collaborate on/sponsor an NSF PRFB proposal for the 2024 deadline, especially if you are interested in the effect of hybridization of Darwin's ground finches on resistance to invasive parasites in the Galápagos Islands. I'd be open to other project ideas as well, especially in population ecology or genetics using existing tissue samples or our long-term data set. Pitch a cool project!
I'm particularly interested in working with post-docs who have an interest in undergraduate research and teaching. Please contact me to discuss possible projects!
Graduate students:
I will not be considering applications for new graduate students until Fall 2027.
UConn undergraduate students:
We will not be considering new undergraduate students in the lab until Fall 2026. Please contact me in January 2026 if you are interested in interviewing for a position.
Field technicians: We are not considering applications for field tech positions at this time.
Our research currently focuses on the eco-evo dynamics between birds and their parasites. Our research systems include: 1) Darwin's finches and their invasive avian vampire flies (Philornis downsi) in the Galapagos Islands, and 2) box-nesting birds (bluebirds, swallows) and their nest ectoparasites throughout the Eastern US. Although I enjoyed my work on frog-parasite-microbiome interactions, we are not currently working with this system.
Generally, I'm looking for personnel who want to work on our existing host-parasite systems above but want to take the research in a new direction with their skills and knowledge.
Post-docs:
I do not currently have funding for a post-doc position. However, I'd be happy to collaborate on/sponsor an NSF PRFB proposal for the 2024 deadline, especially if you are interested in the effect of hybridization of Darwin's ground finches on resistance to invasive parasites in the Galápagos Islands. I'd be open to other project ideas as well, especially in population ecology or genetics using existing tissue samples or our long-term data set. Pitch a cool project!
I'm particularly interested in working with post-docs who have an interest in undergraduate research and teaching. Please contact me to discuss possible projects!
Graduate students:
I will not be considering applications for new graduate students until Fall 2027.
UConn undergraduate students:
We will not be considering new undergraduate students in the lab until Fall 2026. Please contact me in January 2026 if you are interested in interviewing for a position.
Field technicians: We are not considering applications for field tech positions at this time.
Past Lab Members
(We miss you!!)
(We miss you!!)
Post-doctoral Researcher
Dr. Heather Skeen (2022-2024), Currently a Post-doctoral Fellow at Princeton University
Dr. Ashley Love (2021-2024), Currently an Assistant Professor at Miami University in the Biology Department, Ashley's Website!
Dr. Ryan Shannon (2022-2024), Currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Miami University in the Biology Department
Dr. Johanna Harvey (2017-2019), Currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island in Department of Biological Sciences
Graduate Students
Alex Soldo (2022-2024), M.S. in EEB, Field Ecologist and Entomologist, Albany Pine Bush Reserve
Alyssa McGurer (2022-2023), B.S. in EEB and M.S. in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
Mia Nahom (2018-2022), B.S. in EEB and M.S. in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, SURF Awardee, Currently a Computational Biology Research Assistant, Computational Biology Core, UConn
Jessica Gutiérrez (2019-2021), M.S. in EEB, Currently a Biological Science Laboratory Technician II, USDA
Amanda Deguire (2019-2020), M.S. in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
Post-bacc Lab Personnel
Gabrielle "Gabby" Solomon (2020-2022), NSF REPS fellow, Currently a M.S. student at Villanova University
UConn Lab and Field Technicians
Jailene Contreras (2023-2024), Galapagos Field Technician
Gabriela Mena (2022-2023), Galapagos Field Technician, Currently an M.S. Student at the Universidad de San Francisco Quito
Katia Goldberg (2023), Galapagos Field Technician
Isabela Vargas (2022), Galapagos Field Technician, Currently an M.S. Student in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems through the Tropimundo program
Mackenzie Watkins (2018-2019), B.S. in EEB
Taylor Verrett, M.S. (2018-2019), Currently a PhD student at the University of Oklahoma with Dr. Dan Becker
Suzannah Tupy (2020-2021), B.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Victoria Simons (2021), B.S. in Wildlife Biology, M.S. from Colorado State University; Currently the Station Biologist at Itasca Biological Station
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
UConn Nest Parasite Community Science Crew Member
Hannah Brewer, (2023-2024), B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Animal Science, Currently a Field Technician at Itasca Biological Station.
Heather Bjerke, (2021-2024), B.S. in Pathology.
Caroline Webb, (2020-2023), Lead Undergrad Researcher, B.S. in Environmental Science, Currently a Master's student at UConn
Mahima Mehta, (2020-2022), Lead Undergrad Researcher, IDEA Awardee, B.S. in MCB, Currently a Master's student at UConn Public Health
Rachel Bahouth (2019-2021), Lead Undergrad Researcher, SURF Awardee, B.S. in Biology
Vel Johnston (2022), Undergraduate in EEB
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
Anita Amiti (2022-2024), B.S. in Biological Sciences, SURF Awardee
Heather Bjerke (2021-2024), B.S. in Pathology, IDEA Awardee
Eliza Cochrane (2021-2023), B.S. in Natural Resources, SURF Awardee, Currently a PhD student at Oklahoma State University
Patrick Sheridan (2022-2023), B.S. in EEB, Honor's Student
Kunzika (2022-2023), EEB Research Fellow
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
Shantae McIntyre (2021-2023), B.S. in Biology
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
High School Student Researchers
Logan Stech (2020), White Earth Reservation Research Intern, Current an undergraduate at UMN-Morris
Dr. Heather Skeen (2022-2024), Currently a Post-doctoral Fellow at Princeton University
Dr. Ashley Love (2021-2024), Currently an Assistant Professor at Miami University in the Biology Department, Ashley's Website!
Dr. Ryan Shannon (2022-2024), Currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Miami University in the Biology Department
Dr. Johanna Harvey (2017-2019), Currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island in Department of Biological Sciences
Graduate Students
Alex Soldo (2022-2024), M.S. in EEB, Field Ecologist and Entomologist, Albany Pine Bush Reserve
Alyssa McGurer (2022-2023), B.S. in EEB and M.S. in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
Mia Nahom (2018-2022), B.S. in EEB and M.S. in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, SURF Awardee, Currently a Computational Biology Research Assistant, Computational Biology Core, UConn
Jessica Gutiérrez (2019-2021), M.S. in EEB, Currently a Biological Science Laboratory Technician II, USDA
Amanda Deguire (2019-2020), M.S. in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
Post-bacc Lab Personnel
Gabrielle "Gabby" Solomon (2020-2022), NSF REPS fellow, Currently a M.S. student at Villanova University
UConn Lab and Field Technicians
Jailene Contreras (2023-2024), Galapagos Field Technician
Gabriela Mena (2022-2023), Galapagos Field Technician, Currently an M.S. Student at the Universidad de San Francisco Quito
Katia Goldberg (2023), Galapagos Field Technician
Isabela Vargas (2022), Galapagos Field Technician, Currently an M.S. Student in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems through the Tropimundo program
Mackenzie Watkins (2018-2019), B.S. in EEB
Taylor Verrett, M.S. (2018-2019), Currently a PhD student at the University of Oklahoma with Dr. Dan Becker
Suzannah Tupy (2020-2021), B.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Victoria Simons (2021), B.S. in Wildlife Biology, M.S. from Colorado State University; Currently the Station Biologist at Itasca Biological Station
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
UConn Nest Parasite Community Science Crew Member
Hannah Brewer, (2023-2024), B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Animal Science, Currently a Field Technician at Itasca Biological Station.
Heather Bjerke, (2021-2024), B.S. in Pathology.
Caroline Webb, (2020-2023), Lead Undergrad Researcher, B.S. in Environmental Science, Currently a Master's student at UConn
Mahima Mehta, (2020-2022), Lead Undergrad Researcher, IDEA Awardee, B.S. in MCB, Currently a Master's student at UConn Public Health
Rachel Bahouth (2019-2021), Lead Undergrad Researcher, SURF Awardee, B.S. in Biology
Vel Johnston (2022), Undergraduate in EEB
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
Anita Amiti (2022-2024), B.S. in Biological Sciences, SURF Awardee
Heather Bjerke (2021-2024), B.S. in Pathology, IDEA Awardee
Eliza Cochrane (2021-2023), B.S. in Natural Resources, SURF Awardee, Currently a PhD student at Oklahoma State University
Patrick Sheridan (2022-2023), B.S. in EEB, Honor's Student
Kunzika (2022-2023), EEB Research Fellow
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
Shantae McIntyre (2021-2023), B.S. in Biology
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
High School Student Researchers
Logan Stech (2020), White Earth Reservation Research Intern, Current an undergraduate at UMN-Morris
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??
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
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
