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Jennifer A.H. Koop, Principal Investigator (she/her)
Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences Northern Illinois University 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy DeKalb, IL 60115 jkoop [@] niu [dot] edu Research Interests: Host-parasite interactions; invasive parasite ecology; evolution; population genetics; conservation; avian biology; animal behavior Education and Training Assistant Professor, 2019-2024, Northern Illinois University Assistant Professor, 2015-2019, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Post-doctoratal NIH fellowship, 2011-2014, University of Arizona Ph.D. in Biology, 2011, University of Utah B.S. in Zoology, 2004, University of Wisconsin |
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Liza Mitchem, Postdoctoral Fellow
I grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago and earned my bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where I discovered my passion for field biology. I went on to study evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for my Master’s and University of Virginia for my Ph.D. I also have a passion for teaching and science education. Most recently, I completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Bergan-Roller Lab, where I investigated how early intervention programs influence the wellbeing and academic success of undergraduate biology students. I am broadly interested in understanding animals respond to rapidly changing environments and the evolution of behavioral plasticity. I am excited to bring this perspective to the Koop lab! In my free time, I enjoy making pottery, reading, playing video games, and hanging out with my dog, Koopa! |
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Scott Herman, M.S. Student
I grew up in a Northwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois where I spent my free time outdoors. I completed my undergraduate education at Purdue University where I earned two B.S. degrees in Wildlife and Aquatic Sciences with a Fisheries concentration. Post-graduation I earned a graduate certificate in Waterfowl Habitat and Recreation Management at University of Arkansas Monticello. While attending school in Arkansas I guided clients on duck hunts and conducted waterfowl research at Five Oaks Agriculture Research and Education Center. I am a naturalist by trade and have a strong background in habitat management. I will be working on research focused on the spring migration of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) in the Illinois River Valley and Upper Mississippi River. More broadly my research interest includes waterfowl ecology in the Great Lakes Region and Upper Mississippi River. |
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Tristan Chavez-Poeschel, PhD student
I am originally from Panama City, Panama but grew up in Wisconsin. I am a US Army veteran and received my undergraduate degree in biology from The University of Texas at El Paso, along with a Masters in Environmental Science. I have had the opportunity to conduct research in the Arctic, Desert Southwest, and now temperate regions. My research interests include population genetics, aquatic ecosystems, conservation, and anthropogenic impacts on wildlife and habitats. The focus of my research will be investigating patterns of dispersal of the invasive Faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata) and trematode parasites (Sphaeridiotrema spp. and Cyathocotyle bushiensis) from source populations in Europe to habitats in North America, using molecular methods. I enjoy hiking, traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. |
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Josh Nelson, PhD student I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago where I've gained experience working in both blue and white-collar industries. I earned my A.S. degree at the College of DuPage and am currently pursuing a B.S. in Biological Sciences at NIU. My research interests include invasive species ecology, coevolution dynamics, conservation and restoration. I’m currently researching parasitic trematode survival (Sphaeridiotrema spp. and Cyathocotyle bushiensis) as their intermediate host, the invasive Faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata) is exposed to abiotic stressors. In my spare time I enjoy hiking and volunteering for natural area restoration projects. |
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Current Undergraduate Researchers
Lydia Delk (Biology)
Tessa Eads (Biology)
Ahmed Abdulaziz (Biology)
Lydia Delk (Biology)
Tessa Eads (Biology)
Ahmed Abdulaziz (Biology)
Former Lab All-Stars
Katelin Wolken-Wright (B.S. Biology, Class of 2025)
Aspen Long (B.S., Biology, Class of 2025)
Megan Gray (B.S., Biology, Class of 2025)
Ben Lunaburg (B.S. Environmental Studies, Class of 2025)
Anthony Hanks (undergraduate, Biology)
Gabe Reynolds (undergraduate, Environmental Studies)
Cheyenne Beach, PhD student
Alex Medina, B.S. Biology
Kathryn McCabe, M.S. Biology, Class of 2024
Grant Hattendorf, B.S. Biology, Class of 2024
Michael Yager, B.S. Biology, Class of 2023
Lorena Flores, B.S. Biology, Class of 2024
Ethan Dye, B.S. Environmental Studies, Class of 2023
Richelle Watson, summer research assistant, B.S. Biology
Jacob Sachs, B.S. Biology, Class of 2023
Grace Lunaburg, B.S. Biology, Class of 2023
Ashton Johnson, B.S. Biology, Class of 2023
Carly Crow, M.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Emma Grindle, M.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Michaela (Misha) Plagwitz, B.S. Biology, Class of 2021
Alexis Traylor, B.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Amanda Biesk, B.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Mikayla Gorzeman-Mohr (undergraduate, Biological Sciences)
Ikea Henderson (undergraduate, Biological Sciences)
Jessica Mathew, B.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Jasmine Mathew, B.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Chiedu Okonmah, B.S. Biology, Class of 2021
Rebecca Bachtel, M.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2020
Angel Depuy, B.S. Environmental Studies, Class of 2020
Nicholas Foster, B.S. Environmental Studies, Class of 2020
Steven Rudzitis, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2020
Harrison Tobi, M.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2019
Nicole Sardelis, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2020
Arielle Enos, B.S. Biology, UMassD
Alana McGraw, B.S. Biology, UMassD
Mallory Keirnan, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2020
Joseph Cronan, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2019
Gretchen Johnson, Summer REU Student
Stephanie Almeida, B.S. Biology, Graduated UMassD Class of 2017
Madison Bailey-Schofield, B.S. Biology and B.A. English, UMassD, Class of 2017
Allison Cambra, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2017
Kaci Dumas, B.A. Graphic Design, UMassD, Class of 2016
Jillian Reichert, B.S. Biology, UMassD Class of 2018
Suzanne Sussman, B.S. Biology, UMassD Class of 2017
Katelin Wolken-Wright (B.S. Biology, Class of 2025)
Aspen Long (B.S., Biology, Class of 2025)
Megan Gray (B.S., Biology, Class of 2025)
Ben Lunaburg (B.S. Environmental Studies, Class of 2025)
Anthony Hanks (undergraduate, Biology)
Gabe Reynolds (undergraduate, Environmental Studies)
Cheyenne Beach, PhD student
Alex Medina, B.S. Biology
Kathryn McCabe, M.S. Biology, Class of 2024
Grant Hattendorf, B.S. Biology, Class of 2024
Michael Yager, B.S. Biology, Class of 2023
Lorena Flores, B.S. Biology, Class of 2024
Ethan Dye, B.S. Environmental Studies, Class of 2023
Richelle Watson, summer research assistant, B.S. Biology
Jacob Sachs, B.S. Biology, Class of 2023
Grace Lunaburg, B.S. Biology, Class of 2023
Ashton Johnson, B.S. Biology, Class of 2023
Carly Crow, M.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Emma Grindle, M.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Michaela (Misha) Plagwitz, B.S. Biology, Class of 2021
Alexis Traylor, B.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Amanda Biesk, B.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Mikayla Gorzeman-Mohr (undergraduate, Biological Sciences)
Ikea Henderson (undergraduate, Biological Sciences)
Jessica Mathew, B.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Jasmine Mathew, B.S. Biology, Class of 2022
Chiedu Okonmah, B.S. Biology, Class of 2021
Rebecca Bachtel, M.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2020
Angel Depuy, B.S. Environmental Studies, Class of 2020
Nicholas Foster, B.S. Environmental Studies, Class of 2020
Steven Rudzitis, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2020
Harrison Tobi, M.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2019
Nicole Sardelis, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2020
Arielle Enos, B.S. Biology, UMassD
Alana McGraw, B.S. Biology, UMassD
Mallory Keirnan, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2020
Joseph Cronan, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2019
Gretchen Johnson, Summer REU Student
Stephanie Almeida, B.S. Biology, Graduated UMassD Class of 2017
Madison Bailey-Schofield, B.S. Biology and B.A. English, UMassD, Class of 2017
Allison Cambra, B.S. Biology, UMassD, Class of 2017
Kaci Dumas, B.A. Graphic Design, UMassD, Class of 2016
Jillian Reichert, B.S. Biology, UMassD Class of 2018
Suzanne Sussman, B.S. Biology, UMassD Class of 2017
Interested??
If you are interested in learning more about the lab, please contact me at jkoop [@] niu [dot] edu. If you are an undergraduate interested in joining the lab, please send me a brief statement of your research interests and how they relate to my lab, your current GPA, and your undergraduate major. If you are a potential graduate student interested in joining the lab, please provide me with your CV including a list of relevant coursework, a writing sample, and a brief statement of your research interests.
If you are interested in learning more about the lab, please contact me at jkoop [@] niu [dot] edu. If you are an undergraduate interested in joining the lab, please send me a brief statement of your research interests and how they relate to my lab, your current GPA, and your undergraduate major. If you are a potential graduate student interested in joining the lab, please provide me with your CV including a list of relevant coursework, a writing sample, and a brief statement of your research interests.
