The UNIDE Network profiles are designed to foster collaborations, connections, and a sense of community among members of the Undergraduate Network for Increasing Diversity of Ecologists (UNIDE). As a National Science Foundation-funded Research Coordination Network, UNIDE aims to build a diverse and inclusive community of ecologists, educators, social scientists, and students. By creating and featuring these profiles on our Network Profile Page, we showcase our members’ expertise and contributions to facilitate meaningful networking opportunities within our vibrant community.
To feature your profile, please fill out the Google Form available here.
To make any changes to an existing profile please email Javi (felix.berrios@upr.edu)
Frederick Abbott Torres
Educator
He/Him
I manage a mentoring program for diverse students to explore career paths within ecology. I research best practices for mentoring and engaging with the next generation of scientists. My goal is to remove as many barriers as possible to welcome people into my science. Representation in leadership matters and creating a welcoming environment where students feel like friends, colleagues and future collaborators.
Keywords: Ecology, Environmental Science, Education
Felix Javier Berrios Ortega
Graduate Student
He/Him
I’m a PhD student in the Bernot lab at the University of Connecticut’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department. My research focuses on the evolution of parasitic copepods using museum collections, taxonomy, advanced imaging, molecular biology, phylogenetics, and genomics. I graduated with a degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Puerto Rico – Humacao. I’m committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM. I’ve held leadership roles such as Founding President of the SACNAS UPRH Chapter and participated in initiatives like the UNIDE Student Advisory Board. Through projects like the LGBTQ+ STEM Cast podcast, I’ve helped create supportive academic communities that value diverse perspectives. Supporting students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, is something I’m really passionate about.
Keywords: Parasitology, Copepods, Evolution, Bioinformatics, Phylogenetics
Jimmy Bernot
Faculty
He/Him
I was always interested in nature and catching small critters. Science courses were my favorite in school, and when I got to college I loved all my classes in ecology, evolution, and zoology. I got hooked on research as an undergraduate when working with an amazing scientists who is an incredibly passionate and supportive researcher, Dr. Janine Caira. There are many major challenges facing humanity, particularly anthropogenic change. More diverse groups are better and more creative problem solvers. Humanity needs all of our talents and buy-in from all communities to tackle these challenges. Beyond that, everyone should feel welcome and supported to study the amazing world around us.
Keywords: Parasitology, Copepod, Invertebrates, Phylogenetics, Evolution
Caroline Breitenberger
Retired Faculty
She/Her
My laboratory research interests include protein synthesis in bacterial and eukaryotic cells and coordination of gene expression in nuclei, chloroplasts and mitochondria. Currently, I am interested in studying retention and persistence of students excluded from STEM fields due to ethnicity, race, and gender. I have always been interested in the outdoors. Although it is not the field in which I was trained, I am fascinated by the amount of scientific knowledge relating to ecology and environmental sciences. It behooves all of us to learn more about these fields as we seek to better understand the impacts of human-environmental interactions on our communities and ourselves.
Keywords: Biochemistry, Persistence, Retention
Carmen R. Cid
Professor of Ecology and Dean Emerita
She/Her
Have worked on forest and wetland ecology in recruitment and retention of herbaceous species in response to environmental disturbance events — have worked with the Ecological Society of America on ecology education and BIPOC student/faculty recruitment and retention into environmental career paths for 30 years – continue to do this work nationally with ESA and other NSF-funded programs. I work in many programs to increase access and awareness of barriers for recruitment and retention of BIPOC students and professionals in environmental careers — my goal is to develop and implement educational programs that value the strengths of our BIPOC students and integrate their perspectives in the ecology teaching and research.
Keywords: Ecology education, BIPOC career development, Forest and Wetland ecologist
Kristina Fite
Graduate Student
She/Her
Currently, I am researching how a chemical known as 6PPD(Q) impacts amphibian species. This work is crucial to amphibian conservation. I became interested in environmental science when I was a young girl. I used to go out in nature and admire its beauty and life. After spending much time in nature, I became adamant about protecting it from anthropogenic stress, which then led me to become and environmental scientist. I am interested in encouraging, uplifting, advocating, and representing diversity, equity, and inclusion in environmental science and ecology to show other students of color what they’re capable of as well as to show the world what we are capable of. I believe the biggest barrier to diversity/inclusion in ecology is the lack of representation, the bare minimal recognition, and the low acknowledgment that POC and other marginalized communities face when transitioning to fields in environmental science and ecology.
Keywords: Conservation, BlackInSTEM, Herpetology
Bryan Guevara
Graduate Student
He/Him
I am 2nd year PhD student in EEB at Indiana University in Dr. Jen Lau’s lab! Broadly, I am interested in how global change is currently altering and will continue to alter plant-plant interactions. Right now, I am working to understand if recent local adaptation to nitrogen conditions in midwestern perennials allows them to greater resist biological invasion. I hope to further promote the advancement of underrepresented groups involved in ecology at all career stages. Like many, I developed a keen interest in ecology when I was young. There was something in particular about how living and non-living things were interconnected and how nature seemed to find a way to balance everything. It was later in my high school years that I began to pay more attention to the news that I realized that we were putting things largely out of balance through our carbon emissions, agricultural practices, deforestation, and various other harmful practices. This inspired me to pursue a graduate degree in ecology where I now study how these global change drivers will affect plant interactions long-term. I want to increase diversity in ecology by promoting and uplifting voices from ecologists belonging to underrepresented identities across the United States and eventually on a global scale.
Keywords: Ecology, Evolution, Plants
Marcela Hernandez
Assistant Dean of Faculty Affairs and Recruitment
She/Her
I am a biochemist and molecular biologist. My professional experience includes designing and implementing programs to enhance and support research trainees with a special focus on those from underrepresented backgrounds. I became a scientist thanks to an awesome Ph.D. mentor whose enthusiasm and love for science made me want to become a researcher. He taught me how to think like a scientist. This made me realize the importance of good scientific training and mentorship. I believe this is the single most important factor in becoming a successful STEM professional. Consequently, I am very passionate about mentoring and hope to help the next generation of STEM professionals to retain their love for science and to maneuver around the traps that are responsible for the leaky STEM pipeline. I think ecology can be a model to the rest of the STEM disciplines on how to achieve more diversity through equity and inclusion.
Keywords: STEM, Diversity, Trainee and researcher support
Valerie Ann Johnson
Former Academic Dean and Current Co-Director -grassroots org
She/Her
I currently serve as Co-Director for Infrastructure and Development for the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN) where I am responsible for maintaining its infrastructure, developing its network connections, and supporting work across all areas including the other two divisions: organizing and policy and research and education. I engage in interdisciplinary participatory research in gender, bioethics, disability, the health of women and girls, environmental humanities (particularly African American foodways and African American garden clubs) and environmental justice. I currently am a subawardee on a grant led by Dr. Caren Cooper to investigate how to diversify large-scale participatory science projects like the Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count. While at Shaw University Dr. Johnson instituted a participatory science internship program designed to promote informal STEM education and student STEM research. Since biodiversity is such a key concept in the natural sciences, making sure that those who are practitioners in the field are themselves diverse. As an HBCU graduate, I also am interested in faculty and students at HBCUs have opportunities to contribute to and participate in research and development of ecology as an academic field.
Keywords: Social Sciences, Environmental Humanities; Medical Anthropology; EJ Studies
Darius Ledbetter
Graduate Student
He/Him
I am interested in the growth and yield of forest and optimizing the value of stands. I am pursuing a direction which allows me to stay true to my love for being outside as well as being able to use science-based literature to make the best decisions for our forest. I always loved being outside in the woods, I would take some trips with my family to the mountains, and I really enjoyed those trips, so I knew I wanted to do something environmentally related and then I started doing research at NC State and it showed me to forestry which is everything is what I really enjoy being in the forest as well as the science components. I am interested in showing minority students that there are other careers that they don’t know about inside of the environmental field such as forestry, and why this is important for the future of everyone.
Keywords: Enthusiastic, Leadership, Compassion, Motivated, Vision
Zakiya Leggett
Faculty
I work in forest and soil ecology. I also do research in citizen/participatory science as well as diversity and inclusion in natural resources. My mother raised us to respect and appreciate nature. We were a vegan, composting, recycling family before it became popular/trendy/more common. I knew I wanted to study and work in something in the natural sciences but was unsure of what area. I was offered a scholarship in forestry to attend Tuskegee University and have been in that field ever since. The biggest barrier is exposure. In many cases students are unaware and/or unexposed to the field of ecology. I am hopeful we can continue introducing the field to students at younger and younger ages. We also should continue programs to introduce students when they come to college and are trying to decide on their major.
Justin Luong
Faculty
He/Him
The Luong Lab works primarily to understand outcomes of ecological restoration projects and how to adapt restoration practices for global change factors such as drought, warming and noxious species invasions. We use community ecology field approaches with experimental and observational methods and use tools within ecophysiology to understand plant responses and community mechanisms of change. The lab focuses on interdisciplinary work which often includes some social science (using surveys and semi-structured interviews) to better understand risk-aversion and contextualize why restoration practitioners decide to apply different practices. We also work on studying how restoration can be combined with other land uses to maximize habitat multiuse and ecosystem services. The Luong Lab is especially interested in ensuring ecological climate science can be readily applied by land managers and reducing science-practice gaps. If we care about ecological diversity, why don’t we care about diversity in human life and cultural practices that helped create the immense biodiversity we see on our planet today?
Keywords: Restoration ecology, Rangelands, Grasslands, Functional traits, Science-practice gap
Megan Lupek
Faculty
She/Her
Dr. Megan Lupek is the Co-Director of the Environmental Sciences program and an assistant teaching professor in the College of Natural Resources at NC State University. She teaches introductory environmental science classes and the senior capstone course for Environmental Sciences majors. She is experienced in teaching both online and in-person courses. Regardless of the format, Megan incorporates active learning in her classes through citizen science projects, case studies, group work, and other strategies to engage her students in their learning. Her other teaching interests include open educational resources, enhancing community and belonging within the classroom, climate action pedagogy, effective online teaching, culturally responsive pedagogy, co-creation, and alternative grading. Megan is an environmental social scientist with a background in environmental decision-making. She uses both qualitative (interviews and focus groups) and quantitative (survey) methods. Her current research is focused on students’ experiences with eco-anxiety and eco-hope. Megan is active in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) research and uses this approach to assess the impact of her pedagogical strategies in the classroom. Megan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with an environmental science concentration from Albion College and a PhD in Forestry and Wildlife Sciences with a Human Dimensions concentration from Auburn University. Like many in my field, I was inspired to study environmental science because of my love for nature and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. At a young age, I became interested in endangered species, which led to the discovery of other environmental grand challenges. As an instructor, it is important that I embrace the diverse backgrounds and experiences that my students bring to the classroom as well as prepare them for a diverse workforce post-graduation. I recognize that people learn differently, so adopting strategies through Universal Design for Learning has become central to my teaching.
Keywords: Inclusive pedagogy; SoTL; Environmental social science
Becky Mansfield
Faculty
She/Her
My research and teaching are in nature-society geography, political ecology, and science studies. One area of current interest lies in shifting understanding of environmental chemicals and their effects, the politics of deregulation of these chemicals, and implications for health and justice. Another area of interest is ideas about nature and race in both science and the popular imagination. I also have written about equity issues in the university, including articles on feminist and anti-racist mentoring and on sexual harassment. In high school, I got to volunteer as a counselor for one week a year at an Outdoor School for elementary school students. I loved being outdoors and doing environmental education, and that got me started. I am broadly interested in diversity and equity in society and academia. I am interested specifically in ecology because it connects to my research interests in race, nature, and knowledge.
Keywords: Geography, Nature, Society, Race, Knowledge
Aadia Moseley-McCloud
Graduate Student
She/Her
I’m a Master’s student in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan. My current research focuses on how dominant understory species impact community composition and ecosystem function. Science has always been a pillar in my life—I really loved doing botany science projects as a kid. I became especially passionate about research, during my undergraduate studies when I began working as a research assistant in a plant systematics lab. However, it was during the summer before my last year of undergrad that I discovered ecology was where my heart is at, and that I wanted to continue asking novel ecological questions about the world. As a black woman in STEM, I am passionate about increasing the accessibility of opportunities for marginalized students who are trying to get their footing in ecology (and ecology-adjacent) fields.
Keywords: Ecosystem Ecology, Global Change, Plant-fungal interactions
Yeishmary M. Soto Muñiz
Undergraduate Student
She/Her
I am a senior at the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras campus majoring in Environmental Science. After graduation, I plan on continuing my studies and obtain a doctoral degree to contribute to understanding wild animal behavior, their interactions with the environment, and the impacts of human activity on their life cycles. As a Latina, a person of color, and a woman in STEM, my interest is to utilize my background and formation to create a path for those who, like me, have felt like they don’t belong in higher education spaces. My goal is to foster DEI initiatives, conduct impactful research, and advocate for a more inclusive and diverse scientific community.
Keywords: Wildlife Ecology, Conservation, Environmental Science, Inclusivity in STEM
Porche’ L. Spence
Faculty
She/Her
Dr. Spence’s research interests focus on investigating current and emerging environmental issues involving water quality, soil quality, nutrient management, and ecosystem services in agricultural, suburban, and urban environments. Her interdisciplinary research interests include designing and implementing student-centered, inquiry-based curricula, increasing diversity and inclusion in natural resources, conservation, ecology and environmental sciences, investigating the impact of engaging students in citizen science projects and conducting community-based research with small-scale farmers and K-12 teachers from underserved and underrepresented communities of color. I have always enjoyed being outside and observing the biotic and abotic interactions that occur within nature. It is so intriguing and relaxing. I developed a holistic interest in wanting to learn more about natural resources, environmental science/ecology, and the impacts of human decisions on ecosystem services. My interest in diversity and equity in ecology originated from my personal experiences as an African American woman in STEM. There are not many people who look like me in my profession. Youth from historically underrepresented backgrounds are interested in pursuing a career in environmental science/ecology but do not know the path forward to achieve their professional goal. Students who decide to pursue a career in environmental/ecology may face resistance and roadblocks due to lack of mentorship and support that results in a change in their career choices. My interest is to inspire, educate, mentor and support students from historically underrepresented communities with aspirations of a career in the environmental science/ecological sciences.
Keywords: Water Quality, Soils, SoTL in STEM, Diversity & Inclusion
Frederick Nelson
Graduate Student
He/Him
I’m currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Ecology at the University of California, Davis. My research examines life history stage transition from breeding to plumage molt to migration in mountain white crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha). Ecology has been an amazing avenue to connect with nature, communities and the challenges that keep me engaged throughout. I think about the saying “you can’t be what you don’t see” and how inspired I feel by seeing ecologists from similar backgrounds find success in this field. I want everyone to feel that inspiration.
Keywords: Climate change, Ecophysiology, Birds
Jennifer Richmond-Bryant
Faculty
She/Her
Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, PhD, joined the Forestry and Environmental Resources department at North Carolina State University as an Associate Professor of the Practice in 2019 after holding previous positions at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and City University of New York. Her research specializes in human exposure to air pollution with a focus on marginalized communities. She is a project director with the Louisiana State University Superfund Research Program, where she has been conducting a field campaign to assess air pollution and health impacts of emissions from an open burn/open detonation (OBOD) hazardous waste thermal treatment facility in Colfax, LA. Dr. Richmond-Bryant also leads a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Needs Fellowship focused on providing doctoral students with a combination of the natural, physical, and social sciences needed for conducting research focused on environmental justice. Dr. Richmond-Bryant is co-lead of the Environmental Health Disparities Research Interest Group within the Center for Human Health and the Environment. This group is concerned both with providing technical support to community partners and advancing our understanding of interactions between environmental contaminants and social determinants of health, both of which are fundamental to Dr. Richmond-Bryant’s research program. I am the PI of an National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences R21 grant and of a US Department of Agriculture National Needs Fellowship focused on Environmental Justice training, and I also serve as a project director for the Louisiana State University Superfund Research Program. These experiences have prepared me to take an assistive role in grant administration if the community partners should need. The majority of my work is in community-engaged research in settings of environmental injustices or environmental health disparities. My commitment to public science drives translation of my research to new technologies and to collaboration with the public. I work closely with the Central Louisiana Coalition for a Clean and Healthy Environment (CLCCHE) and the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) on community-based research to characterize air pollution impacts of open burn/open detonation (OBOD) thermal treatment of munitions and other hazardous waste. Upon recommendation from CLCCHE, Citizens for Arsenal Accountability, a Radford, VA-based organization working towards cessation of OBOD, recently enlisted my help to gather data in support of their advocacy to end the practice in their community. I have also worked closely with several North Carolina-based community-centered organizations with interest in environmental justice (Partners for Environmental Justice, Freedom Org) to provide technical assistance and advice on funding identification.
Keywords: Air pollution, Exposure, Environmental health disparities, Environmental justice
Adriana G. Villanueva-Cruz
Undergraduate Student
She/Her
I currently perform research in the effects of glyphosate in the locomotion and mortality of a freshwater snail Vitta virginea. I am interested in pursuing graduate studies in conservation ecology and contribute to conservational efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change. I am interested in gaining work experience in the ecology and conservation fields to continue to become a well rounded scientist. I am passionate about finding ways to face social-environmental issues and create awareness on environmental injustices. I am passionate about creating communities where we can find diversity and equity, as it is important for all to feel recognized and seen. As a Puerto Rican, I am interested in further including the Latine community and to deconstruct the barriers of isolation for Latine people in science fields, in order for them to feel recognized.
Keywords: Conservation Ecology, climate change, freshwater science, sustainability, creativity
Natasha Woods
Faculty
She/her
My research answers questions regarding how plant communities are affected by anthropogenic and climate induced disturbances and the potential for reassembly following disturbance. I am interested in mechanisms driving patterns of early stage plant recruitment in natural and disturbed environments. My research interests broadly include plant facilitation and competition, seed dispersal and germination, woody plant encroachment, and stability of coastal dune vegetation. My current project is examining the impact of increased storm frequency on shrub encroachment on barrier islands. I became interested in ecology after spending time in the natural environment. I observed plants thriving in a granite outcrop and I wanted to know more about how plants survive in harsh environments. So, I went back to school to study plant community ecology! I am interested in creating a network of support for those who are underrepresented in ecology because it is easier to reach your goals when you see others who have achieved the same goals.
Keywords: Shrub encroachment, Barrier islands, Climate change, Disturbance