People

David Toews, Louis Martarano Associate Professor (Principal Investigator; toews [at] psu.edu). Google Scholar. David’s research is focused on evolutionary biology, genomics, and molecular ecology in avian systems. Much of his work relies on combining genomic data with other phenotypic, behavioral, and biogeographic information to make inferences about evolutionary processes. His research also takes advantage of the replicated patterns in species radiations, particularly the continental radiation of New World warblers, and his field research has focused on studying hybrids zones of wood warblers in North America.
Dr. Kevin Bennett (Postdoctoral Researcher; kfb5706@psu.edu; Website) Bennett_photoKevin’s research explores how gene flow shapes evolution, taking advantage of hybridization in the wild and modern genomic methods. He is also interested in the evolution of plumage coloration and migration in birds. Kevin’s PhD focused on introgression of sexual traits in a manakin hybrid zone in Panama. His postdoctoral research as part of the Parulome Project (see the Projects page) will use a large genomic dataset to investigate drivers of gene flow and diversification across the warbler radiation.
Dr. Luis “Daniel” Montalvo (Postdoctoral Researcher; lbm5820@psu.edu; Google Scholar)

Daniel is an avian evolutionary ecologist focusing on population and landscape genomics to understand how climate and habitat shape gene flow, local adaptation, and biodiversity. He’s especially drawn to hybrid zones and to linking genomic variation with behavior and ecology across environmental gradients. He approaches questions from multiple angles, combining methods from genomics, ecology, and behavior to move from patterns to mechanisms. Big picture: he uses genomic data to forecast how bird populations will respond to environmental changes—and to translate those insights into clear, actionable conservation guidance.

Cati Besch (Lab Manager; ceb5997 [at] psu.edu) BeschCati has a Masters of Bioinformatics and a Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics from Juniata College. Her previous research experience studied the human gut microbiome. She assessed machine learning algorithms, including SVMs, neural networks, and LefSe analyses, to find bacterial and fungal predictors of C. diff. Cati is interested in implementing genomic tools to learn about the effects of environmental impacts and evolutionary changes in warbler species and their hybrids.
Anna Maria Calderon (PhD student, co-advised with Zachary Szpiech; annamcalderon [at] psu.edu)Image Anny has a bachelor’s in Biology with an Ecology and Evolution emphasis from the University of California, Merced. As an undergrad, she was involved in a variety of conservation related projects.  In the past, she has coded genetically informed species distribution models for New England ant species using machine learning algorithms to simulate future changes in their range based on different climate change scenarios. Today,  Anny is interested in combining genomic tools and population modelling techniques to study migration, population structure, and dynamics to predict how birds will respond to changes in their habitat.
Antara Kulkarni (PhD student; akk6447 [at] psu.edu)

AntaraAntara’s interests lie in studying the effects of climate change and habitat loss on species, largely through their diet and movement. She has previously studied inbreeding in tigers using genomics, and for her master’s thesis she used bioacoustics to quantify changes in avian biodiversity due to land-use change. Through her PhD, Antara hopes to use scientific research to guide an understanding of the effects of global change on species response and hopes it will contribute to research-based conservation efforts as well. When she’s not studying birds, you’re likely to find her either sketching them or peering at them through her binoculars!

Abigail Valine (MSc student; aqv5504 [at] psu.edu)
Abbie has a Bachelor’s of Science in biology from the University of Northwestern—St. Paul and has since spent many years in the field working with a myriad of bird species from Henslow’s sparrows to cerulean warblers to Florida scrub-jays. Abbie is broadly interested in conservation-focused avian research, particularly relating to breeding biology, movement ecology, and the effects of anthropogenic change on avian systems.
CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHERS:
  • Lisa Wang (2022 – ).
FORMER POST-PhD: FORMER GRADUATE STUDENTS:
  • Johanna Beam (PhD Biology, 2021-2025).
  • Stephanie Szarmach (PhD Biology, 2020-2025).
  • Lan-Nhi Phung (PhD Biology, 2019 – 2024).
  • Trinity Conn (PhD Biology, co-advised with Iliana Baums, 2022 – 2024).
  • Balaji Kumar (MSc Biology, 2019 – 2023).
FORMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHERS:
  • Helania Le (2024 – 2025).
  • Avani Salunkhe (2021 – 2024).
  • Andrea Benavides Castaño (2021 – 2022).
  • Alyssa Johnson (2019 – 2020).
  • Alexa Conner (2020).

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