
QuEST welcomes both incoming and returning trainees to campus! The traineeship is all about engaging in community building, peer-to-peer mentoring, and interest group networks. Activities like the UVM Ropes course begins the collaboration across disciplines. The graduate students attend a weekly seminar where they are learning how the use of improv can bridge communication across the sciences. They have also identified three research areas (i.e., climate change predictions, disease – epidemiology, socio-environmental) and are working together determining three guest speakers who will visit campus to conduct 90-minute workshops and lectures.
Aura Alonso-Rodriguez

Natural Resources
Aura.Alonso-Rodriguez@uvm.edu
Aura.Alonso-Rodriguez@uvm.edu
Cohort 2
Advisor: Taylor Ricketts
Advisor: Taylor Ricketts
Lab website: Taylor Ricketts Lab
Research Interests: Tropical forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, agricultural landscapes, sustainable resource management
Hobbies: Exploring outdoors, salsa dancing, live music, reading science fiction, movies
Natalia Aristizábal

Natural Resources
Cohort 1
Advisor: Taylor Ricketts
Lab website: Taylor Ricketts Lab
Research Interests: biodiversity conservation, landscape ecology, ecosystem services, climate change adaptation, agroecology, bees, GIS
Hobbies: Hiking, socializing in outdoor environments
Lauren Ashlock

Biology
Ambassador, Cohort 1
Advisor: Melissa Pespeni
Lab website: Pespeni Lab ~ Ecological Genomics
Research Interests: Evolutionary ecology, marine biology, climate change, conservation
Hobbies: Dancing, hiking, hanging out with my husband and our green cheek conure, Zeke!
Emily Beasley

Biology
Cohort 1
Advisor: Nicholas Gotelli
Lab website: Nicholas J. Gotelli Lab
Research Interests: Quantitative ecology, hierarchical systems, and Bayesian statistics; especially as applied to small mammal and ectoparasite communities
Hobbies: Reading, bread making (sometimes at the same time)
Mariah Boudreau

Mathematical Sciences
Cohort 2
Advisor: Chris Danforth, Co-Advisor: Laurent Hebert-Dufresne
Lab website: The Computational Story Lab
Research Interests: Network analysis, mathematical modeling for biological applications, modeling spread of disease
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, puzzles, crossfit
Gavin Briske

Natural Resources
Cohort 3
Advisor: Carol Adair; Co-Advisor: Tony D'Amato
Lab website: Adair Lab; Silviculture & Applied Forest Ecology Lab (Tony D'Amato)
Research Interests: Forest carbon cycling, soil carbon
Hobbies:
Lab website: Adair Lab; Silviculture & Applied Forest Ecology Lab (Tony D'Amato)
Research Interests: Forest carbon cycling, soil carbon
Hobbies:
Erika Bueno

Plant and Soil Science
Cohort 1
Advisor: Yolanda Chen
Lab website: Insect Agroecology and Evolution Lab
Research Interests: Evolutionary biology, genetic and physiological responses to environmental stress, entomology, pest management
Hobbies: Teaching, Zumba classes, embroidery, community gardening, building insect collections
Kerria Burns

Natural Resources
Cohort 2
Advisor: Kimberly Wallin
Research Interests: Plant/animal interactions, genomics and ecology of invasive species
Hobbies: Reading, running, outdoor activities
Hobbies: Reading, running, outdoor activities
Benjamin Camber

Biology
Benjamin.Camber@uvm.edu
Benjamin.Camber@uvm.edu
Cohort 2
Advisor: Sara Cahan
Lab website: Helms/Helms Cahan Research Laboratory
Research Interests: Local adaptation, insect evolution, host-parasitoid arms races
Hobbies: Losing arguments, debates
Brendan Case

Computer Science
Cohort 1
Advisor: Laurent Hebert-Dufresne
Lab website: Laboratory for Structure and Dynamics
Research Interests: Vector ecology, modeling, metapopulations
Hobbies: Running, dogs, artificial life
Blair Christensen

Plant and Soil Science
Cohort 4
Advisor: Yolanda Chen
Advisor: Yolanda Chen
Lab website: Insect Agroecology and Evolution Lab
Research Interests: Entomology, evolution, epigenetics, stress, gene regulatory networks
Hobbies: Writing, running, arts, trivia, anything outdoors
Mahalia Clark

Lab website: Ecosystems & Global Change Research Group
Research Interests: Agriculture, climate change, soil carbon, remote sensing
Hobbies: Hiking, swimming, Aikido, playing fiddle
Jessica Cole

Biology
Cohort 1
Advisor: Alison Brody; Co-Advisor: Sara Helms Cahan
Lab website: Helms/Helms Cahan Research Laboratory
Research Interests: Plant-pollinator interactions, ecology
Hobbies: Reading, arts, gaming
Alison Hall

Biology
Alison.Hall@uvm.edu
Alison.Hall@uvm.edu
Cohort 2
Advisor: Melissa Pespeni
Advisor: Melissa Pespeni
Lab website: Pespeni Lab ~ Ecological Genomics
Research Interests: Ecological genomics, global climate change, evolutionary adaptation
Hobbies: Sudoku, kayaking, running, camping, community orchestra, cello
Hobbies: Sudoku, kayaking, running, camping, community orchestra, cello
Bailey Kretzler

Plant and Soil Science
Cohort 3
Advisor: Eric Bishop-von Wettberg
Lab website: Crop Genetic Heritage Laboratory @ UVM
Research Interests: Details forthcoming
Hobbies:Cooking, baking, hula-hooping, hiking, writing, and mysteries
Advisor: Eric Bishop-von Wettberg
Lab website: Crop Genetic Heritage Laboratory @ UVM
Research Interests: Details forthcoming
Hobbies:Cooking, baking, hula-hooping, hiking, writing, and mysteries
Jasmine Hart

Plant and Soil Science
Cohort 4
Advisor: Eric Bishop-von Wettberg
Lab website: Crop Genetic Heritage Laboratory @UVM
Research Interests: Population genetics, stress tolerance, regenerative agriculture and urban food systems
Hobbies: Cooking, crafting, yoga and being outside
Lab website: Crop Genetic Heritage Laboratory @UVM
Research Interests: Population genetics, stress tolerance, regenerative agriculture and urban food systems
Hobbies: Cooking, crafting, yoga and being outside
Raquel Lima

Biology
Ambassador, Cohort 1
Graduate January 2020
Advisor: Lori Stevens
Research Interests: Taxonomy and parasite evolution, public health
Hobbies: Sudoku, puzzles, handcrafts, toy making for son, baking pastries
Andrew McCracken

Biology
armccrac@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Melissa Pespeni
Lab website: Pespeni Lab ~ Ecological Genomics
Research Interests: Evolution and adaptation to global climate change, marine biology, ecological genomics, microbiome
Hobbies: Skiing, climbing, running, biking - really anything outdoors; aquariums, dogs, cats and all animals, playing guitar
armccrac@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Melissa Pespeni
Lab website: Pespeni Lab ~ Ecological Genomics
Research Interests: Evolution and adaptation to global climate change, marine biology, ecological genomics, microbiome
Hobbies: Skiing, climbing, running, biking - really anything outdoors; aquariums, dogs, cats and all animals, playing guitar
Gabriel Meyer-Lee

Lab website: Cheney Neurobotics Lab
Research Interests: AutoML, deep learning, computer vision, robotics
Hobbies: Sewing, reading
Liza Morse

Natural Resources
Cohort 3
Advisor: Brendan Fisher
Lab website: Fisher ECOS Lab
Research Interests: Birding and wildlife, ecosystem services, working landscapes, conservation biology
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, gardening, thrift shopping
Advisor: Brendan Fisher
Lab website: Fisher ECOS Lab
Research Interests: Birding and wildlife, ecosystem services, working landscapes, conservation biology
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, gardening, thrift shopping
Sarah Morris

Plant Biology
Sarah.Morris@uvm.edu
Cohort 3
Advisor: Michael Sundue
Lab website: Ferns and Lycophytes of the World
Research Interests: Pteridophytes, macroevolution, biogeography, taxonomy, phylogenomics & climate change
Hobbies: Outdoor adventures, travel, dogs, gardening, sewing & crochet
Cohort 3
Advisor: Michael Sundue
Lab website: Ferns and Lycophytes of the World
Research Interests: Pteridophytes, macroevolution, biogeography, taxonomy, phylogenomics & climate change
Hobbies: Outdoor adventures, travel, dogs, gardening, sewing & crochet
Daniel Munteanu

Biology
Daniel.Munteanu@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Sara Cahan
Lab website: Helms/Helms Cahan Research Laboratory
Research Interests: Genomics, experimental biology, acclimation, stress biology
Hobbies: Bicycling, hiking, reading, sharing food with friends
Daniel.Munteanu@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Sara Cahan
Lab website: Helms/Helms Cahan Research Laboratory
Research Interests: Genomics, experimental biology, acclimation, stress biology
Hobbies: Bicycling, hiking, reading, sharing food with friends
Paulina Murray

Natural Resources
Paulina.Murray@uvm.edu
Cohort 3
Advisor: Carol Adair; Co-Advisor: Tony D'Amato
Lab website: Adair Lab; Silviculture & Applied Forest Ecology Lab (Tony D'Amato)
Research Interests: Carbon cycling, forest ecology
Hobbies: Gardening, biking, hiking, and kayaking
Cohort 3
Advisor: Carol Adair; Co-Advisor: Tony D'Amato
Lab website: Adair Lab; Silviculture & Applied Forest Ecology Lab (Tony D'Amato)
Research Interests: Carbon cycling, forest ecology
Hobbies: Gardening, biking, hiking, and kayaking
George Ni

Biology
Lab website: Nicholas J. Gotelli Lab
Research Interests: Computational Biology, community ecology, bird and arthropod biology
Hobbies: Ultimate frisbee, raptor training, escape rooms, gaming (board and video)
Research Interests: Computational Biology, community ecology, bird and arthropod biology
Hobbies: Ultimate frisbee, raptor training, escape rooms, gaming (board and video)
Thomas O'Leary

Biology
Thomas.OLeary@uvm.edu
Thomas.OLeary@uvm.edu
Cohort 2
Advisor: Brent Lockwood
Lab website: The Lockwood Lab
Research Interests: Evolutionary physiology, mechanisms of adaptation, response to environmental stress, climate change
Hobbies: Running, hiking, outdoors, reading
Hobbies: Running, hiking, outdoors, reading
Csenge Petak

Biology
Csenge.Petak@uvm.edu
Csenge.Petak@uvm.edu
Cohort 2
Advisor: Melissa Pespeni
Advisor: Melissa Pespeni
Lab website: Pespeni Lab ~ Ecological Genomics
Research Interests: Evolutionary biology, evolvability, gene regulatory networks, complex systems, computational modeling, modularity
Hobbies: Hiking, climbing, dancing
Zoe Portlas

Plant Biology
Cohort 1
Advisor: Stephen Keller
Lab website: Keller Lab ~ Ecological Genomics
Research Interests: Plant biology, population genetics, speciation, range expansion, invasive species, hybridization
Hobbies: Knitting, puzzles, reading
Anoob Prakash

Plant Biology
Cohort 1
Advisor: Stephen Keller
Lab website: Keller Lab ~ Ecological Genomics
Research Interests: Population genetics, landscape genetics, climate change, forest fragmentation, local adaptation
Hobbies: Illustrating, reading, basketball, staring into space
Sam Rosenblatt

Computer Science
Cohort 1
Advisor: Laurent Hebert-Dufresne
Lab website: Laboratory for Structure and Dynamics
Research Interests: Networks, contagion, public health, hidden populations, noisy data, ecology
Hobbies: Podcasts, board and card games
Greta Savitsky

Plant Biology
Greta.L.Savitsky@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Brian Beckage
Lab website:
Research Interests: Forest modeling, climate change, human behavior, and forest composition/ecology; interested in how these and other biotic and abiotic drivers impact mycorrhizal networks and their role in forest systems.
Hobbies: Hiking, yoga, cross country skiing, hanging with cat, Daisy, love Cabot cheese, snow, wildflowers, the LGBTQIA+ community, sunshine, climate legislation, animals, and mountains
Greta.L.Savitsky@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Brian Beckage
Lab website:
Research Interests: Forest modeling, climate change, human behavior, and forest composition/ecology; interested in how these and other biotic and abiotic drivers impact mycorrhizal networks and their role in forest systems.
Hobbies: Hiking, yoga, cross country skiing, hanging with cat, Daisy, love Cabot cheese, snow, wildflowers, the LGBTQIA+ community, sunshine, climate legislation, animals, and mountains
Anna Schmidt

Biology
Anna.Schmidt@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Jason Stockwell
Lab website: Stockwell Laboratory; Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory
Research Interests: Freshwater ecology, food webs, invasive species ecology, ecosystem function, environmental change
Hobbies: Reading, live music, gardening, biking, playing piano
Anna.Schmidt@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Jason Stockwell
Lab website: Stockwell Laboratory; Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory
Research Interests: Freshwater ecology, food webs, invasive species ecology, ecosystem function, environmental change
Hobbies: Reading, live music, gardening, biking, playing piano
Reed Scott

Natural Resources
Reed.C.Scott@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Brittany Mosher
Lab website: Brittany A. Mosher's Lab
Research Interests: Disease ecology, Community Ecology, Herpetology, Conservation
Hobbies: Games of all kinds, hiking, biking, running, and trying out different kinds of teas
Reed.C.Scott@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Brittany Mosher
Lab website: Brittany A. Mosher's Lab
Research Interests: Disease ecology, Community Ecology, Herpetology, Conservation
Hobbies: Games of all kinds, hiking, biking, running, and trying out different kinds of teas
Hannah Shafer

Plant Biology
Hannah.Shafer@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Jill Preston
Lab website: Preston Lab ~ Plant Evolution and Development
Research Interests: Plant biology, evolution, genetics, climate change
Hobbies: Hiking, kayaking, gardening, knitting
Hannah.Shafer@uvm.edu
Cohort 4
Advisor: Jill Preston
Lab website: Preston Lab ~ Plant Evolution and Development
Research Interests: Plant biology, evolution, genetics, climate change
Hobbies: Hiking, kayaking, gardening, knitting
Brittany Verrico

Plant Biology
Ambassador, Cohort 1
Advisor: Stephen Keller
Lab website: Keller Lab ~ Ecological Genomics
Research Interests: Population genetics, ecological genomics, evolutionary biology, forest tree responses, climate change
Hobbies: Photography, hiking, cooking, creative writing, Magic: The Gathering
Baxter Worthing

Plant Biology
Cohort 1
Advisor: Stephen Keller
Lab website: Keller Lab ~ Ecological Genomics
Research Interests: Computational biology, ecological genomics, transcriptomics, climate change, forest trees
Hobbies: Skiing, hiking, juggling