José Bruno Del Rio-Malewski
Ph.D Student
Bruno is originally from Mexico City and now resides in San Antonio. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Grinnell College and his master’s degree in genetics from Iowa State University. He is passionate for animals and is a caretaker for two bearded dragons and three axolotls. His research will investigate how microplastics affects gene expression in tadpoles, which will hopefully help him get into herpetological research. Bruno will be the first person on either side of his family to receive a Ph.D.
Andre Felton
Ph.D Student
Andre was born in Oxon Hill, Maryland. He received his B.S. degree in environmental science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and his M.S. degree from Towson University in biology. His research interest encompass applied conservation, diversity responses to anthropogenic activity at different scales, and community & urban ecology. Within these areas, he is interested in ecotoxicology, trait-mediated legacy effects on population/community structure in urban landscapes, mechanisms that influence reproductive isolation & speciation, and understanding how ecological interactions at the organismal level are mediated by host-microbiome dynamics. His Ph.D. will evaluate the influence of microplastic exposure on amphibian development, fitness, and gut/skin microbiome dynamics in ephemeral pools within urban watersheds.
Jazmine Blancas
M.S. Student (thesis)
Jazmine is a San Antonio native and before pursuing her master’s degree, received her undergraduate degree in biology from UTSA where she developed a strong interest in microbiology. She is now a graduate TA in the microbiology labs and is also pursuing a graduate certification in Data Science. Her hobbies include reading, insect collecting, painting, plant pressing, and puzzles. Her current research is focused on the abundance and biodiversity of protozoa in freshwater ecosystems. Protozoa are dominant consumers within the microbial food web, their predatory activities make them key regulators of bacterial and algae populations within these ecosystems that are sensitive to physicochemical changes. Jazmine believes that the smallest of organisms can have the largest impacts.
Sarah Gorton
M.S. Student
Sarah graduated with her undergraduate degree from UTSA in the Honors Program. Her current research focuses on nutrient and metal uptake by native and nonnative roadside vegetation from in and ex situ studies.
Claire Littlefield
M.S. Student (thesis)
Claire was born and raised in San Antonio and received her B.S. in environmental science with a concentration in conservation and restoration ecology from UTSA in May of 2022. Her hobbies include drawing, painting, and reading. She is very passionate about the environment as well as education, and insects and woody plants are two topics she absolutely loves. Her research will determine microplastic concentrations in both dry and live biofilms from different pools in Leon Creek. After graduating, she thinks it would be amazing to become a professor or work on a conservation project with the San Antonio Zoo before coming back to obtain her Ph.D.
Anna Ramos-Polanco
M.S. Student (thesis)
Anna was born in Crane, Texas and received her B.S. degree from St. Mary's University with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. She is the lab manager for the San Antonio Water Systems wastewater treatment plant. Her thesis research will focus on analyzing long-terms trend of selected metals in wastewater influent and effluent. Anna enjoys gardening, taking care of her animals, and helping her husband with beekeeping.
Fischer Ridge
M.S. Student
Fischer graduated from UTSA with a B.S. environmental science in spring of 2020. While working on his bachelor's degree, he worked at a pet store and tutored Data Analysis and Visualization at UTSA in the Computer Science Department. His hobbies include watching movies, playing tabletop games, and spending time with family and friends. Fischer plans to research metal storage and uptake by plants and soil in stormwater runoff drainage basins around the northside of San Antonio. Along with studying metals, he is analyzing carbon concentration in the plants and soils from retention basins. After Fischer completes school, he is interested in working in pollution control and response, and possibly environmental remediation.
Logan Day
Undergraduate Student
Logan is originally from Denver, Colorado. He is a senior majoring in biology with a sociology minor. His research interests consist of evolutionary theory, ecology, and anthropogenic impacts on the environment. He plans to obtain a Ph.D. and investigate intra- and interspecies social dynamics and mitigate environmental factors.
Sue Ellen Fernandez
Undergraduate Student
Sue Ellen was born in San Antonio and raised in both San Antonio and Mexico. She is a junior currently completing a B.S. in environmental science with a focus in natural resource and wildlife management. Her research interests generally include marine and freshwater ecology, amphibians, and applied conservation of endangered species. She aims to complete both a masters and doctoral in biology with a focus in marine research with biodiversity preservation applications. She is currently developing an independent study investigating the occurrence of microplastics in tadpoles reared in ephemeral pools.
Kate Kampman
Undergraduate Student
Kate was raised in San Antonio and is currently working toward completing her undergraduate degree in biology with a minor in environmental science and a concentration in pre-med. She will be researching urban forestry and completing projects that will allow for a greater diversity of plant species in urban areas. Her personal interests include hiking, poetry, horror movies, and board games. After graduation, Kate hopes to attend medical school to follow a radiology plan or enter a master’s program where she will continue her path in environmental science and conservation.
Isabella Lejeune-Bolivar
Undergraduate Student
Isabella is a sophomore working towards her undergraduate degree in B.S. in chemical engineering at UTSA. Her professional interests include renewable energies, carbon capture technology, hydrology, and biotechnology. Her personal interests include hiking, fabric arts, and reading.
Beauxregard (Beaux) Martinez
Undergraduate Student
Beaux is a junior environmental science major concentrating in conservation and restoration ecology. He was born in San Antonio, moved around, then came back to San Antonio for high school and college here at UTSA. He plans to graduate in the fall of 2024 and attend graduate school. His goal is to become a professor and a PI of a lab that allows him to work with undergraduates so they can get their first experience in research.
Cristina Mendez
Undergraduate Student
Cristina was born and raised here in San Antonio. She is a proud first-generation college student with a biology major. After graduating, she will attend medical school to become a pediatrician or family medicine doctor. She is passionate abound helping marginalized communities gain access to quality healthcare and bringing awareness of sustainability at multiple scales. She has research interest that span the range of medical and environmental concerns.
Maddison Ortiz
Undergraduate Student
Madison is a transfer student from Northwest Vista College and is currently working toward her B.S. in environmental science at UTSA. At Northwest Vista, Maddison researched microplastics along various beaches in Costa Rica, conducted bat, bird, and monkey censuses, and aided in research pertaining to the endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle and coral restoration. Maddison’s professional interests include botany, marine life, conservation, and environmental remediation. Following graduation, she plans on pursuing her master’s degree and continuing research.
Rayshaun Paris
Undergraduate Student
Rayshaun is majoring in environmental science with a specialization in aquatic science. His dream job is to become a hydrologist for the Department of Interior. Rayshaun was accepted into the federal Pathways Program and will start a position with USGS in June. He enjoys being part of a lab because he learns new skills. Rayshaun is a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Kane Sandoval
Undergraduate Student
Kane is an environmental science senior in the last semester of his bachelor's and plans to come back for his master's degree. His academic interest includes evolution, conservation, restoration, prehistory, biodiversity, and systematics. On a personal level, he is a dinosaur and Godzilla fan and enjoys hiking, video games, movies, and clubbing.
Angel Velasquez
Undergraduate Student
Angel is a junior working towards her undergraduate degree in environmental science at UTSA. Her professional interests include conservation of endangered wildlife and urban ecology. She plans on pursuing a master’s upon completing her degree. Angel's hobbies include hiking, traveling, and reading.
Alejandro Wong Cisneros
Undergraduate Student
Alejandro was born in Monterrey, Mexico. He is a sophomore working towards a B.S. in mechanical engineering with a minor in biology. His research interests include biomechanics, biomedical design, and plastic material degradation. After graduating, he plans to work towards taking the FE and PE exams to ultimately become a licensed professional engineer working in the biotechnology research sector.
Briaunna Zamarripa
Undergraduate Student
Briaunna is a San Antonio native and joined the lab in the summer of 2022. Her major is biochemistry and she plans to attend medical school after graduating in 2024 where she will obtain a MD/PhD as an OBGYN. Her research interests encompass microplastics, neurology, and anything that has to do with women. She is a devoted cosplayer, tutors in chemistry, enjoys lab-based research, and loves cats.
