Lab members
Dr. Simon J. Brandl (He/hiM)
Principal Investigator
simon.brandl@austin.utexas.edu
2021: Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, USA
2019 – 2020: Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre for the Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity, University of Perpignan, France
2017 – 2019: Banting Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Simon Fraser University, Canada
2015 – 2017: MarineGEO Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Smithsonian Institution, USA
2015: PhD, James Cook University, Australia
Postdocs
Dr. Christopher R. Hemingson (He/Him)
Stengl-Wyer Postdoctoral Research fellow
christopher.hemingson@austin.utexas.edu
Research topic: Understanding the evolutionary and ecological drivers of diverse coloration on coral reefs and their susceptibility to environmental change
2021 – 2022: Team Leader and Science Writer, Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Strategic Management
Program, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
2017 – 2021: PhD, James Cook University
2015 – 2016: MS, James Cook University
2010 – 2014: BS, Texas A&M University
Graduate Students
Philip M. Souza, JR. (HE/HIM)
PhD Student, Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellow
Research topic: Examining the biodiversity and functioning of a dynamic estuary through bioacoustics and cryptobenthic fish communities
2019 – Present: PhD Student, University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, USA
2018: MPS, University of Miami, USA
2014 – 2016: Fisheries Observer, New Bedford, MA, USA
2014: Shark Biology Intern, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA
2013: BS, Boston University, USA
Mariana rIVERA-HIGUERAS (SHE/HER)
PhD Student, CONTEX Fellow
Research topic: Quantifying drivers of community assembly in Neotropical cryptobenthic reef fishes
2021 – Present: PhD Student, University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, USA
2019: MS, Instituto Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (Marine Science and Limnology Institute), UNAM, Mexico
2015: BSc, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
Kyra jean cipolla (she/her)
PhD student, NSF GRFP Fellow
Research topic: Examining the relationship between coral reef structural complexity, biodiversity, and functioning
2021 – Present: PhD student, University of Texas at Austin
2020: Teaching Assistant, Study Intercultural Training Experience Program, Milan, Italy
2019: Somers Scientific Diving Intern, AAUS/OWUSS, Moss Landing Marine Labs, USA
2019: BA, Drew University, USA
Mel Neill (he/him)
PhD student, NSF GRFP and UT AUSTIN Harrington Fellow
Research topic: Assessing the physiology of cryptobenthic reef fishes under global change
2022-Present: PhD Student, University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, USA
2021-2022: Amphibian Toxicology Technician, Sepúlveda Lab, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
2019-2021: Marine Science Instructor/Divemaster, Sea Camp San Diego, CA, USA
2018: Electrofishing Technician, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul, MN, USA
2018: BS, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, USA
Laura-Li Jeannot (she/her)
PhD Student (Lancaster University, co-supervised, NERC ENVISION Fellow)
Research topic: Effects of seabird nutrient inputs on the productivity of coral reef fish communities
2022 – Present: PhD Student, Lancaster University, Lancaster Environment Centre, UK
2020 – 2022: Master’s Student, Ecole Normale Supérieure d’Ulm, Biology Department / CRIOBE, France
2019: Reef ecology intern, National Park of American Samoa, USA
2017 – 2020: Environmental Engineering Student, AgroParisTech, France
Juan Pablo Lozano Peña (He/Him)
Research Technician
juanp.lozanop@austin.utexas.edu
2021: BSc, Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Colombia
Leonardo Fonseca Reginato
Research Collaborator
2013 - 2018: BSc, Universidade Católioca de Santos, Brazil
2019 - 2022: MSc, Universidade de São Paolo, Brazil
Isabel Agustin
Undergraduate Student
2019: Student Researcher, University of Miami Shark Research & Conservation Program, USA
2020-Present: BS Student, University of Texas at Austin, USA
Former students & Lab Alumni
Nicole Foster (Postdoc)
John Majoris (Postdoc)
Isabel Grudowski (UG intern)
Nina Prasil-Delaval (grad intern)
Zachary Topor (grad intern)
Jonathan Rodemann (UG intern)
