WHO WE ARE
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, San Francisco State University
Research Associate-Fellow, California Academy of Sciences [email protected] |
Curator of Ornithology and Mammals, California Academy of Sciences
Faculty, Department of Biology, San Francisco State University [email protected] |
GRADUATE STUDENTS (current)Thea Leon
Thea Leon is a Master student in the Integrative Biology program at San Francisco State University. She earned her Bachelor’s at CSU Monterey Bay and joined the lab in the Fall of 2024. She is contributing to the Galapagos Baselines project by exploring whether a second species of Megaoryzomys - an extinct giant rat from the Galapagos - historically occupied a second island from the archipelago. Additionally, she used to volunteer on the California Insect Barcoding Initiative at the Center for Comparative Genomics at California Academy of Sciences, and is now a lab technician for the Ants of the World project,
Eva Driggs
I am a Master’s student in Biology at San Francisco State University, working in the joint lab of Dr. Dumbacher and Dr. Chaves. My current research focuses on the endemic Galápagos dove (Zenaida galapagoensis), where I am assembling the species’ first reference genome and conducting the most geographically and taxonomically comprehensive population genomics study to date. This work aims to uncover the evolutionary and demographic history of Galápagos dove populations to inform conservation strategies across the archipelago
Isabella Sessi
My research focuses on the Galápagos petrel, a critically endangered seabird endemic to the Galápagos Islands. I am producing a high-quality reference genome and conducting a population genomics study to uncover metrics about these populations that will help direct conservation strategies.
Jessica Martin
Graduate student at San Francisco State University and California Academy of Sciences, Undergraduate from SFSU in 2024. I have been producing genomes of the Lava Gull from the Galápagos to explore populations genetics and diversity of this endemic bird.
Jaden Mccaffrey
Master student at San Francisco State University and California Academy of Sciences, graduated from SFSU's Biology Program in 2024. My passion are birds and I am currently exploring semi-fossils and bones found in caves and lava tunnels in the Galápagos to reconstruct historical ecology of these islands.
GRADUATE STUDENTS (PAST)Raquel Reyes
I received my B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology at SFSU, and then continued to do an internship as a wildlife biologist with Marin County Parks. As a Genentech Scholar I incorporate traditional fieldwork data collection with modern molecular analysis to study skin microbiome of salamander species found in California. Aside from turning over logs and rocks to see who’s living under there, I keep myself entertained by taking my dog on river trips, playing in punk bands, and reading post apocalyptic science fiction. Master's completed in Spring 2025.
Pooneh Kalhori
Hi, I’m Pooneh! I obtained my Master's in 2023 in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. I graduated from UCLA in 2020 with a B.S. in Microbiology and Ecology, where I became involved in conservation genetics research. I am interested in using genetic and geographic data to look at how habitat changes affect genetic diversity and selection of certain traits in populations. Some of my hobbies include swimming, baking, and watching nature documentaries with my family. I am currently a PhD student at UCBerkeley.
Ezra Mendales
Hi, I’m Ezra! I got my Masters' in 2023 in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. I work on the origin and evolution of the Lava Heron on the Galapagos islands and on developing a genus level phylogenetic assessment of the genus Butorides (Striated, Green, and Lava Herons). I am currently a PhD student at the University of Montana.
Lorena Benitez
I am Lorena, originally from El Salvador. I am co-advised by Pleuni Pennings, and my work focuses on soil microbiome assembly on the Galapagos Islands. I work with samples collected by local farmers, guides, and fishermen in collaboration with students and post-docs from Ecuador at Universidad San Francisco de Quito. I got my Masters's in 2023.
Adan D
Hello! I am interested in animal adaptations with respect to anthropogenic climate change, and my research will include morphology, field work, and museum collection analysis.
In my spare time, I like to go on long hikes, spend time with friends and family, and drink copious amounts of coffee. I got my Master's in Spring 2023. |
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTSNikita Paulose
Hello! I'm Nikita Paulose, an undergraduate student majoring in Biology with a Concentration in Marine Science at SFSU. I'm working on using Geneious to study the mitochondrial DNA of Lava Herons, as well as studying MC1R's role Lava Heron coloration. I am also a Genentech Scholar.
Kiarra Enberg
Undergraduate student majoring in Biology with a Concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation at SFSU. Student part of the Genentech Scholars Program. I’m researching the gene MC1R and its role in the lava heron pigmentation. I am also working on identifying haplotypes in the lava gull to study its population genetics.
Ashley Meinke
Hi, my name is Ashley. I’ve been working with the natural history collections at SFSU. Some of my work includes creating a comprehensive natural history display for our new science building, a second display in Hensill Hall dedicated to former SFSU Professor Dr. Robert “Bob” Bowman, and restoring our herpetology collection.
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POSTDOCS AND COLLABORATORSAthena Lam
Director of the Center for Comparative Genomics Lab at California Academy of Sciences
Vera de Ferran
I'm a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at SFSU working on the Galapagenomes project. I'm originally from Brazil and I started to work with bioinformatics during my PhD, since then, I've been focusing on phylogenomics and population genomics.
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