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.
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)
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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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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Postdoctoral Fellows
Raúl A. González-Pech
Marta Mammone
Allison Kerwin
Current Position: Assistant Professor at McDaniel College, MD
Joseph Pollock
Current Position:
Coral Reef Conservation Group Leader, The Nature Conservancy. Hawaii and Pacific
Michele Weber
Kevin Portune
Ph.D. students
Ana María González
Bishoy Hanna
Collin Closek
Michael DeSalvo
M.S. students
Julia Stewart
Styles Smith
Elizabeth Green
Aubrie O’Rourke
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