Lab alumni
Although I interact with many students on a daily basis, a select lucky (or unlucky…?) subset end up working closely with me on research projects for theses or as paid technicians. The students featured below were on my roster of laboratory members while at Chatham and have since moved on to do really cool work, most often in ecology but also some in very different fields. A commonality that they all share: proficiency in data management and quantitative methods. If you want to work closely with me you will need to learn how to code using the R programming language to work with data. This skill set is extremely useful in the real world, which is why I prioritize in my classes and mentoring.
Gillian Revenis, MSUS 2024
PhD student, University of California, Berkeley
Gill studies forest management and the conservation of vulnerable plant species. She is specifically researching the efficacy of silvicultural treatments in pinyon-juniper woodlands of southwestern Colorado. A key focus is using intra-annual growth trends in pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) following thinning treatments to provide land managers with tools that promote drought resilience, restore ecological integrity, and reduce fire risk.
While at Chatham: Gill studied the ecological impact of deer on plant communities and hopes to publish two papers from her work.
Sara Parker, BSUS natural resource management 2024
PhD student, Boston University
Sara studies how genomic, behavioral, and ecological mechanisms contribute to color diversity in tortoise beetles. Her dissertation field work is conducted in part at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. Research foci currently include a mate choice study investigating the role of sexual selection and courtship in color phenotype maintenance and a study tracking differential gene expression across development in different color phenotypes.
While at Chatham: Sara assisted with the field and lab efforts for a dragonfly survey in the Allegheny National Forest (McEvoy et al 2023).
Hayley McEvoy, MSUS 2023
Resource Conservation Technician, Washington County Conservation District
In her current position, Hayley ensures compliance with environmental regulations related to erosion and sediment management at construction sites, industrial locations, and other major infrastructure projects. She conducts site inspections to monitor sediment control measures followed by reports that provide recommendations to ensure environmental compliance and mitigate erosion and sediment impacts.
While at Chatham: Hayley’s thesis consisted of a dragonfly survey in the Allegheny National Forest comparing how the assemblage has changed over a 20-year period. She published her work in the International Journal of Odonatology (McEvoy et al 2023).
Jenna Baljunas, BSc environmental science 2023
Plant ecology technician, Archbold Biological Station
Jenna assists with studies on rare and endemic plants of the Lake Wales Ridge in Florida. She works on state and federal land across central Florida and engages with stakeholders and partnering agencies to integrate applied ecology to support conservation. At the same time she is conducting an independent project focused on the interplay between seed predation, soil seed banks, and population viability of threatened and endangered plant species using a combination of field experiments and population modeling.
While at Chatham: Jenna co-led a study on benthic macroinvertebrate habitat affinities in Nicaraguan streams (Baljunas et al. 2024).
Jack Merola-Lapsen, BSUS natural resource management 2023
MSc student, Western Kentucky University
Jack investigates stonefly diversity across Pennsylvania for the Northeastern Stonefly Project. The work identifies areas requiring conservation action and guides future sampling efforts. Additionally, Jack’s research focuses on three stonefly species designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan. He is conducting formal conservation assessments for these species to evaluate habitat availability and ensure sustainable populations.
While at Chatham: Jack assisted with the field and lab efforts for a dragonfly survey in the Allegheny National Forest (McEvoy et al 2023).
Searrah Bierker, BSc environmental science 2023
Botanical Technician, Scientists in the Park
Searrah works in the Volcanoes and Haleakalā National Parks of Hawai'i assessing vegetation and ecosystem health from wet forests near the coast to subalpine shrublands. Her R skills were used to make an interactive tool that applies iNaturalist data to identify introduced species within the Pacific Island Network parks. She also served on a women's fire crew with the U.S. Forest Service in western Colorado.
While at Chatham: Searrah led a study on small mammal consumption of invasive plant seeds (Bierker et al. 2023)
Quentin Rice, BSUS Natural resource management 2020
Project Associate at Prospect Silicon Valley
Q manages the PSV outreach program, coordinates events, and creates research reports for partners. Her main areas of research currently include building performance standards, fleet decarbonization, and grid resilient facilities. Q was also a science writer at Stanford University, where she interviewed principal investigators, researched industry trends, and authored marketing abstracts to promote emerging technologies.
While at Chatham: Quentin led a study on how invasive barberry impacts soil fauna (Utz et al. 2023)
Hannah Moyer (formerly Blinn) MSUS 2019
Project Developer, Transportation Electrification, Duquesne Light Company
Hannah partners with commercial customers who are installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and electrifying their fleets. As a project developer she helps clients work through all stages, from the initial inquiry through construction. Her work helps customers understand the benefits of electric transportation and quantify greenhouse gas emission reductions.
While at Chatham: Hannah studied the effects of hydraulic fracturing on human health (Blinn et al. 2020)
Valerie Skinner, MSUS and MBA 2017
Sustainability & Equity and Sustainability Goals Associate, Hellman & Friedman
Valerie helps 30+ portfolio companies develop sustainability and climate strategies. Tasks include advising on greenhouse gas emission calculations, setting carbon reduction targets, and implementing decarbonization projects. Valerie is also a volunteer board member with the Women's Environmental Network, a Bay Area nonprofit for women interested in sustainability and environmental careers.
While at Chatham: Valerie explored the impact of freshwater salinization on industrial infrastructure (Kaushal et al. 2019)