Dr. Sneha Suresh
Postdoctoral Scholar
Sneha is broadly interested in using molecular approaches (genomics and transcriptomics) to understand how animals are shaped by their environment and how they respond to rapid environmental and climate change. She is also interested in applying genomics to advance biodiversity conservation and management. She joined the MEC lab in Summer 2024 after completing her PhD at the University of Hong Kong, where she worked on RNA-Seq datasets from coral reef fishes to explore within- and inter-generational responses to ocean acidification. Her research revealed how transcriptional plasticity enables rapid responses to both acute and chronic environmental challenges. She also studied the molecular processes underlying the anemone-anemonefish mutualism. Prior to her PhD, Sneha earned her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Ramaiah Institute of Technology (India) and her master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Her master’s research was focused on identifying how alternative splicing mediates response to heavy metal-induced acute stress in Daphnia. In the MEC Lab, Sneha is investigating the population genomics of Winter Flounder in the Gulf of Maine, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, to inform conservation and management strategies. Additionally, she is studying how distinct thermal environments shape transcriptional plasticity and life-history strategies in the invasive snail Urosalpinx cinerea, assessing how adaptive strategies to different thermal environments are shaped by local adaptation. Outside of research, Sneha enjoys exploring nature through hiking and biking, music, and discovering new and interesting novels to read.
Dr. Eugenie ‘Charley’ Yen
Postdoctoral Scholar
Charley is broadly interested in using genomics to understand the ecology and evolution of threatened species for conservation management. She joined MEC Lab in Spring 2025 after completing her PhD at Queen Mary University of London, which involved developing genomic and epigenomic insights for loggerhead sea turtle conservation, with an emphasis on sex determination and thermal stress under climate change. This research focused on the Cabo Verde population, where she completed multiple field seasons in collaboration with the local NGO Project Biodiversity. Previously, she earned her undergraduate Natural Sciences degree and Zoology MPhil degree at the University of Cambridge. Her MPhil research investigated population genomics of a colour polymorphism supergene in wood tiger moths. In the MEC Lab, Charley is building on her PhD research by adapting an epigenetic marker approach for sexing sea turtle hatchlings to assess climate impacts on contemporary sex ratios of Hawaiian green sea turtles. Outside of research, Charley enjoys sampling London’s diverse culinary scene, attending music festivals, exploring nature, and planning her next ski adventure in the mountains.
Estefany Argueta
OEB PhD candidate
Estefany joined Dr. Lisa Komoroske’s lab in Spring 2021 after receiving her bachelor’s degree in animal ecology from Iowa State University. As an undergraduate, her research focused on nest depth thermal variation experienced by developing embryos in Painted Turtles, Chrysemys picta. Her curiosity led her to explore research and field experiences worldwide, including Alaska, Chile, North Carolina, Oregon, and now Brazil and Massachusetts. In the MEC lab, Estefany is interested in local adaptation and plasticity in response to a changing climate, particularly in ectotherms. She has completed field seasons on the island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, as a team member of a large collaborative project understanding resilience to climate change through mating systems for a Brazilian green turtle population. She is also working on understanding the physiological mechanisms for the expanding ranges of Black Sea Bass in the Gulf of Maine. Besides being a Ph.D. student, Estefany is an Army Reserve Officer, a reader, and always looking forward to her next experience or adventure.
Mikayla Newbrey
OEB PhD student
Mikayla grew up on Cape Cod, where fishing and boating first sparked her interest in how animals interact with their environments. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst and joined the MEC Lab as an undergraduate researcher in 2022. After graduating, she worked as a lab manager for Dr. Lisa Komoroske, where she gained valuable experience leading projects and supporting a diverse range of ecological and genomic research. She also interned at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where she developed a low-cost genetic toolkit to study the population structure and adaptation of invasive green crabs (Carcinus maenas). Mikayla’s research interests focus on environmental stressors and landscape genomics. She aims to understand how selective pressures shape evolutionary trajectories and to develop tools that inform conservation and management strategies for ecosystems facing rapid environmental change.
Outside the lab, Mikayla enjoys perfecting pastries, biking along gravel trails, and exploring the outdoors with her two dogs, Koji and Remus, who always ensure that every outing is an adventure.
Lab Alumni
Defended and Departed
(but always part of the lab!)
Dr. Jamie Adkins
PhD, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (2025)
Jamie is originally from the California Bay Area, and moved to southern California to earn a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at Cal Poly Pomona. Prior to graduating, Jamie worked in several molecular and behavioral neuroscience research laboratories. Following graduation, she applied her molecular biology knowledge to her passion – wildlife conservation. Jamie worked as a Research Associate at San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research in the Disease Investigations Laboratory, where she studied disease transmission in desert tortoises, and performed molecular diagnostics for wild and captive animals. Jamie grew up camping and hiking all over California, and continued to backpack throughout the U.S. and southeast Asia after graduating from college. These experiences motivated her to continue working to conserve wildlife and the landscapes she loves, and pursue a master’s degree in conservation.
Dr. Nadia Fernandez
PhD, Environmental Conservation (2025)
Nadia grew up in Indiana and recently completed her M.S. in Conservation Genetics at Purdue University. Her thesis incorporated utilizing genetics/genomics to investigate genomic disparities of golden eagle populations in southern California. She is advised by Drs. Lisa Komoroske and Andy Danylchuck where she will be utilizing genomic techniques to assess the population structure and the health of the golden dorado which resides in South America. She is interested in working with locals to understand the biology of this captivating fish species as she will also seek to ask evolutionary questions to gain a deeper understanding of its capabilities. Overall, she’s interested in the application of genetics to wildlife populations and management but also, asking evolutionary questions to understand how different species may handle various ecological pressures they may face in the future. On her time off, she loves to enjoy live music, binge TV shows, and challenge herself at the gym.
Dr. John Swenson
PhD, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (2025)
John is currently a post-doctoral researcher with the Shark Research Center at Nova Southeastern University. If you’re interested in reading more about his work, please see his Google Scholar profile.
Liz Clark
MS, Environmental Conservation (2024)
Liz is originally from western North Carolina. She grew up hiking and camping throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains where she took an early interest in wildlife. She moved to Massachusetts to earn a bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Before graduating from college Liz was an Americorps volunteer and worked as a field crew member for Texas Conservation Corps. Through these experiences she realized her passion for wildlife and conservation, but she is particularly interested in animal behavior. Liz enjoys anything outdoors, hanging out with her dog Bella, and making pottery.
Postdoctoral scholars
Dr. Katrina Phillips
Dr. Jess McLaughlin
Dr. Blair Bentley
Dr. Amy Teffer
Dr. Joshua Lonthair
Dr. Tanya Lama
Undergraduate Researchers
Annalise Kuhlmann
Mikayla Donovan
Mary Rutter
Ana Stucker
Olivia Mooradian
Lily Grinhauz
Vipheaviny Chea
Jessalyn Kaur
Lauren Kenyon
Technicians
Shreya Banerjee
Join us! If you are interested in joining our research group, please see the opportunities page.
Molecular Ecology & Conservation 