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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 camping, hiking, exercising (biking, running, swimming) and playing and watching soccer, volleyball, and squash. |
Graduate Students
Jessica M Leonard
After starting out as an English major in community college, I finished my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of San Francisco. My research interests center around learning and how people connect to the natural world. This led me to explore how citizen science is used as a tool in bioacoustics research for biodiversity monitoring. When I’m not reading, writing, or teaching, you’ll find me growing food, creating habitat for wildlife, and building things.
After starting out as an English major in community college, I finished my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of San Francisco. My research interests center around learning and how people connect to the natural world. This led me to explore how citizen science is used as a tool in bioacoustics research for biodiversity monitoring. When I’m not reading, writing, or teaching, you’ll find me growing food, creating habitat for wildlife, and building things.
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.
Tarah Haslett
I am a master’s student in the EECB program interested in behavioral and community ecology. I received my bachelor's at UCSC for environmental studies and biology, where I researched predation and morphology of Ensatina salamanders in Dr. Barry Sinervo’s lab. My research interests are influenced by my passion for wildlife conservation, and I am excited by projects with implications for management practices. In my free time I love to hike, listen to live music, bake mixed berry cobbler and snuggle cats and dogs!
I am a master’s student in the EECB program interested in behavioral and community ecology. I received my bachelor's at UCSC for environmental studies and biology, where I researched predation and morphology of Ensatina salamanders in Dr. Barry Sinervo’s lab. My research interests are influenced by my passion for wildlife conservation, and I am excited by projects with implications for management practices. In my free time I love to hike, listen to live music, bake mixed berry cobbler and snuggle cats and dogs!
Esther Clemence Batarse
I graduated from SF State in 2021 with a degree in 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 graduated from SF State in 2021 with a degree in 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.
Carolyn Schwartz
I am a master’s student in the Physiology and Behavioral Biology program. I received my bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University in Biology with a concentration in Behavioral Biology, where I participated in research in fields such as forestry, biocontrol, chemical ecology, and behavioral ecology. My current research interests revolve around wildlife conservation and management as it pertains to ecosystem interactions and animal behavior. Over my life, I have lived in every corner of the US, so there isn’t a particular place I call home. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, drawing, playing D&D, and hanging out with my dog [Joey]!
I am a master’s student in the Physiology and Behavioral Biology program. I received my bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University in Biology with a concentration in Behavioral Biology, where I participated in research in fields such as forestry, biocontrol, chemical ecology, and behavioral ecology. My current research interests revolve around wildlife conservation and management as it pertains to ecosystem interactions and animal behavior. Over my life, I have lived in every corner of the US, so there isn’t a particular place I call home. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, drawing, playing D&D, and hanging out with my dog [Joey]!
Undergraduate Students
Sam Moreno Sandoval
I'm a Biology major with a concentration in Zoology. Zoology has always been a passionate interest of mine leading me to volunteer at multiple programs relating to wildlife. Through these opportunities I've learned how to handle a variety of animals and how to spread conservation awareness to different age groups. Besides volunteering, I also like to explore San Francisco and visit museums. I also like to draw, write, and watch movies with my dogs!
I'm a Biology major with a concentration in Zoology. Zoology has always been a passionate interest of mine leading me to volunteer at multiple programs relating to wildlife. Through these opportunities I've learned how to handle a variety of animals and how to spread conservation awareness to different age groups. Besides volunteering, I also like to explore San Francisco and visit museums. I also like to draw, write, and watch movies with my dogs!
Jia-Wei Dang
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Biology, with a concentration in Physiology and minoring in Business Administration. Growing up I was always surrounded by animals and had a few dogs, tortoises, and fish. Animals have always been a part of my life and my curiosity to learn more about the animal kingdom is the excitement that encourages me to keep learning about how to care for and protect them. In my free time I enjoy traveling, exploring the outdoors, snowboarding, and spending time with my dogs.
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Biology, with a concentration in Physiology and minoring in Business Administration. Growing up I was always surrounded by animals and had a few dogs, tortoises, and fish. Animals have always been a part of my life and my curiosity to learn more about the animal kingdom is the excitement that encourages me to keep learning about how to care for and protect them. In my free time I enjoy traveling, exploring the outdoors, snowboarding, and spending time with my dogs.
Araceli Amaton Lozano
Former Students
Julia Ferry Messersmith (MS, 2021)
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.
Adriana S. Guajardo (BS, 2020)
Samantha Diaz (BS, 2020)
