|
|
Graduate Students
Lyndsey Marquez
Lyndsey Marquez is a PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Her research interests lie in understanding the impacts of climate change on microbial succession in Arctic permafrost soils and linking microbial community structure to function. She is also interested in how the presence and activities of small mammals impact the soil microbiome and their functional potential. When she’s not in the lab or hunched over her computer, she likes to read and spend time with her dog Levi (who is the goodest boy to ever exist).
Fidel Renteria III
Fidel is pursuing a Master of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). His graduate studies focus on ecosystem ecology, specifically nitrogen dynamics in dryland ecosystems. Through his research, he is exploring nutrient cycling processes that impact desert environments, while building connections between his research and his teaching.
Fidel is also a dedicated educator, currently teaching Biological and Environmental Science at The Young Women’s STEAM Research and Preparatory Academy in El Paso, Texas. He is committed to fostering a hands-on learning environment where students actively engage in scientific inquiry and research. Fidel’s efforts to develop a dynamic curriculum and guide students through research projects have earned him recognition, including Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 academic year. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking and the application of scientific concepts, contributing to his students’ academic success and their top performance in district assessments. Additionally, as the Flag Team and Winterguard Director, Fidel leads the team in performances and competitions, balancing creativity with leadership to
help students refine their skills in dance and performance.
Fidel is also a dedicated educator, currently teaching Biological and Environmental Science at The Young Women’s STEAM Research and Preparatory Academy in El Paso, Texas. He is committed to fostering a hands-on learning environment where students actively engage in scientific inquiry and research. Fidel’s efforts to develop a dynamic curriculum and guide students through research projects have earned him recognition, including Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 academic year. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking and the application of scientific concepts, contributing to his students’ academic success and their top performance in district assessments. Additionally, as the Flag Team and Winterguard Director, Fidel leads the team in performances and competitions, balancing creativity with leadership to
help students refine their skills in dance and performance.
Dylan Stover
Dylan Stover is a PhD candidate in Ecology and Environmental Biology. He is a researcher in the Dryland Critical Zone thematic cluster studying how resource limitation affects soil and plant communities in the Chihuahuan Desert. Dylan has collaborated with a wide range of researchers to conduct projects including a synthesis working group with NCEAS and a USGS/USDA supported soil incubation experiment. Dylan has also served as an LTER Network Graduate Student Representative for the Jornada LTER and a member of the LTER Network's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Committee. Dylan was awarded the ESA Southwestern Chapter's Emerging Southwestern Ecologist Award at the 2024 ESA Annual Meeting.
Andrew Uccello
Andrew is a PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology who joined the lab in 2021. His research focuses on herbivore effects on plants traits and connecting these effects to a changing Arctic ecosystem. Andrew’s research is conducted in central and northern Alaska using a variety of collaborations including the Team Vole herbivory experiment, a simulated small mammal herbivory experiment under fertilization, and a set of long-term herbivore exclusion fences. He hopes his research will inform future tundra scientists of the importance of herbivores in Arctic systems.
Post-Baccalaureate Researchers
Max Grensted
I am a Post-Bac here at UTEP, having recently graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in Environmental Management and Protection. I am interested in above and below ground connections with plants and soil in the Arctic, especially related to impacts of climate change in northern latitudes. I am currently working on a project involving the analysis of changes in microbial and plant stoichiometry across a fertilization gradient in northern Alaska.
Sadé Taylor
This summer, Sadé Taylor embarked on her first field experience in Utqiagvik, Alaska. The samples she collected along with Dr. Jennie McLaren and Lyndsey Marquez, will be a part of her NSF-RaMP funded Research project using Community-level physiological profiles to dive deep into soil bacteria and fungi interactions, exploring their role in carbon dynamics.
Undergraduate Researchers
Lariza Avila
Lariza joined the lab in Summer 2023 as an REU student from El Paso Community College through the Critical Zone Network. Her project focused on soil phosphorus availability in the Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico. Since transferring to UTEP, Lariza has assisted with graduate students' research projects, and she is now preparing her REU research for publication.
Lariza joined the lab in Summer 2023 as an REU student from El Paso Community College through the Critical Zone Network. Her project focused on soil phosphorus availability in the Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico. Since transferring to UTEP, Lariza has assisted with graduate students' research projects, and she is now preparing her REU research for publication.
Maximiliano Dominguez
Max began as a lab and field technician in Summer 2024. Before joining the lab, Max worked as an intern in the PREE H2O program funded by UTEP and El Paso Community College.
Max began as a lab and field technician in Summer 2024. Before joining the lab, Max worked as an intern in the PREE H2O program funded by UTEP and El Paso Community College.
Geraldine Ruuward
Geraldine joined the lab in Fall 2023. She has worked with Andrew Uccello to analyze total phosphorus in plant leaf samples from Alaska. Geraldine has presented her research at UTEP's bi-annual COURI symposium.
Geraldine joined the lab in Fall 2023. She has worked with Andrew Uccello to analyze total phosphorus in plant leaf samples from Alaska. Geraldine has presented her research at UTEP's bi-annual COURI symposium.
