Our Team

Mónica Medina

Principal Investigator

Dr. Mónica Medina is a professor of organismal biology. Her main topic of research is the ecology and evolution of marine holobionts such as corals and symbiotic jellyfish.

Awards & Honors

2023-International Coral Reef Society Eminence in Research Award.
2022-Elected Fellow. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
2012-Fulbright Scholar. Colombian-American Commission.
2012-US National Academies Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow.
2011-Fulbright Scholar. Franco-American Commission.
2008-Guggenheim Fellow.
2007-US Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering (PECASE)

Vivian (Yifan) Li

Ph.D Biology

I am a microbial ecologist exploring the relationships and interactions between coral endosymbionts and their associated microbiomes. Outside of research, I am a filmmaker always looking for socially-impactful ways to communicate science. I am also an international student from Singapore with diverse experiences in science and beyond. I obtained a double degree in Molecular Environmental Biology (B.S.) and Film Studies (B.A.) from UC Berkeley. Subsequently, I worked as a filmmaker in science communication and social-impact entertainment. I then became a research assistant, first at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and later at the National University of Singapore. Currently, I am a first-year PhD student in the Biology department at PSU studying how microbiomes influence Symbiodiniaceae physiology and symbiosis.

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Colin Howe

Ph.D Biology

My name is Colin Howe and I am a tropical marine ecologist and my research is focused on characterizing the relationship between scleractinian corals and their microbiome, and how the ecology and the environmental conditions of the host, can influence the community composition of the microbiome.I will start the fourth year of my doctoral degree in the Fall of 2023. Currently, I am analyzing several metagenomics datasets using advanced bioinformatic tools and statistics to characterize shifts within the bacterial and symbiont communities between experimental treatments and conditions of the host. I am also working with ancient DNA to study historical environmental and anthropogenic perturbations on coral microbial composition and stability. I earned a B.S. in Biology from Old Dominion University and a M.Sc. in Marine and Environmental Sciences from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2018. Before arriving at Penn State University, I worked in state government as a biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. As a person of color with family and cultural connections to the Caribbean, I find motivation and inspiration as a mentor and I strive to expand my science identity within the fields of Marine Ecology, Microbiology, Conservation, and Genomics.

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Elizabeth Boville

Ph.D Biology

I am a marine ecologist studying speciation and reproductive barriers in Caribbean corals, specifically within the Orbicella species complex. My dissertation seeks to identify sources of reproductive isolation by looking at gene expression during spawning within each species. I am originally from Montara, California and completed my B.A. in Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley with a focus on evolution and ecology. Prior to starting my PhD at Penn State, I worked as an avian field ecologist studying Great Green Macaw migration patterns in Costa Rica and studied giant clam predator defense responses in French Polynesia. Currently I am in the third year of my PhD and seek to make time to mentor undergraduate students through lab-based projects and teaching to promote broader scientific engagement.”

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Jasper Ubirajara Chao

Ph.D Biology

I am an avian ecologist looking at migratory patterns and microbiomes of long and short distance migratory songbirds and several vulture species. I grew up just north of San Diego, CA, but moved to Berkeley, CA where I earned a B.A. in Integrative Biology focusing in ecology from UC Berkeley. While enrolled at my university, I researched Common Myna vocalizations in French Polynesia. There, I developed an interest in field research and also with birds. Now, I am a PhD student at Penn State University in the Medina Lab collaborating with other researchers within and outside the university. I still can’t get enough birds in my day, so outside of my research, I like to spend my time hiking and birdwatching.

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End-of-Year Reflections with the Medinalab Team

It’s hard to believe, but this week marks our last lab meeting of the year! To commemorate the occasion, we took a new team picture—though a few of our members are off attending a conference.

We celebrated the end of another successful year with some snacks and homemade sweets, sharing laughter and stories as we reflected on all that we’ve accomplished together in the lab. Each member took a moment to summarize their contributions this year and shared their exciting plans for the holiday break.

As we wrap up the year, we’re filled with gratitude for our team’s hard work and dedication. Here’s to more discoveries, growth, and collaboration in the year ahead!