|
Dr. Alejandro Vélez Meléndez
Assistant Professor I'm originally from Bogotá, Colombia, and I've been living in the US since 2006. I'm a broadly trained evolutionary biologist with particular interest in evolutionary neuroscience, neuroethology, animal communication, and sensory ecology. With my research, I seek to understand patterns of brain evolution and how they relate to diversification of perception, behavior, and species. I'm also a SCUBA dive instructor and I enjoy exercising (biking, running, swimming) and playing and watching soccer, volleyball, and squash. |
Graduate Students
Julia Ferry Messersmith
I'm a Bay Area native, but obtained my B.S. in Animal Physiology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Toronto. My research interests include ethology, genetics, integumental pigmentation, behavioral ecology, and dogs.
I'm a Bay Area native, but obtained my B.S. in Animal Physiology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Toronto. My research interests include ethology, genetics, integumental pigmentation, behavioral ecology, and dogs.
Jessica M Leonard
Xavier Plasencia
I am a master's student from San Diego and grew up there for most of my life. When I was a kid my father would train me in wrestling and other martial arts so I can become an All-American wrestler. Outside of fighting I have always been fascinated with the natural world since I was 3 years old and have had a passion for the ecology and evolution of the creepy crawlies like reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. This passion has festered into an obsession and I am currently housing 24 different animal companions (13 reptiles, 7 amphibians, 3 arachnids. As an undergraduate, I majored in psychology and did research in a behavioral ecologist's lab and would like to continue researching behavioral ecology and evolution. I enjoy adventures such as hiking and camping as well as collecting insects to pin in a display case.
I am a master's student from San Diego and grew up there for most of my life. When I was a kid my father would train me in wrestling and other martial arts so I can become an All-American wrestler. Outside of fighting I have always been fascinated with the natural world since I was 3 years old and have had a passion for the ecology and evolution of the creepy crawlies like reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. This passion has festered into an obsession and I am currently housing 24 different animal companions (13 reptiles, 7 amphibians, 3 arachnids. As an undergraduate, I majored in psychology and did research in a behavioral ecologist's lab and would like to continue researching behavioral ecology and evolution. I enjoy adventures such as hiking and camping as well as collecting insects to pin in a display case.
Undergraduate Students
Esther Clemence Batarse
I am an undergraduate student studying Biology with a concentration in Zoology. I was born and raised in San Francisco, so I can easily say I left my heart here. Ever since I could remember I have been infatuated with all sorts of animals. Since San Francisco doesn't have much wildlife, when I was a kid I would go to Lake Tahoe during the summer for vacation but would love to capture/release frogs and snakes. The love of animals have branched off into researching their physiology, behavior, evolution and ecosystem interactions. On my free time I love to play tennis, bike, and use my hands for all sorts of creativity.
I am an undergraduate student studying Biology with a concentration in Zoology. I was born and raised in San Francisco, so I can easily say I left my heart here. Ever since I could remember I have been infatuated with all sorts of animals. Since San Francisco doesn't have much wildlife, when I was a kid I would go to Lake Tahoe during the summer for vacation but would love to capture/release frogs and snakes. The love of animals have branched off into researching their physiology, behavior, evolution and ecosystem interactions. On my free time I love to play tennis, bike, and use my hands for all sorts of creativity.
Former Students
Adriana S. Guajardo (BS, 2020)
Samantha Diaz (BS, 2020)
