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 in Biology from Towson University. 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 and 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.
Anna Jaud
M.S. Student
Anna was raised in Houston, Texas. She received her B.S.A. in Human Ecology from the University of Texas at Austin with a certificate in environment and sustainability. Anna is pursuing her M.S. in Environmental Science at UTSA with interests in avian ecology, environmental justice, wildlife management, and conservation.
Agustin Porras Castro
M.S. Student
Agustin was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. After 12 years, he moved to the U.S and received his bachelor's in Biology at Texas A&M International at Laredo. He is passionate about plants and has a garden at home. His current research is focused on plant surveys in the upper sections of Leon and Salado Creek greenways.
Paulina Quinonez
M.S. Student
Paulina was born and raised in San Antonio and is very involved in her community. She participates in trash pickup along San Antonio waterways and is a water quality monitor for the Texas Stream Team. She aims to make UTSA an official site for training students to become water quality monitors. Paulina received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from UTSA and is now pursuing a master's in Environmental Science with a focus on freshwater ecology and water quality. Her project consists of characterizing the upper layers in detention basins to determine microplastic filtration from roadside runoff along highly urbanized roads. She is quantifying the types of microplastics present in biofilms and the underlying soils, looking specifically at the effectiveness of capturing microplastics in detention ponds before they reach the Edwards Aquifer.
Fischer Ridge
M.S. Student
Fischer graduated from UTSA with a B.S. in 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.
Anna Blevins
Undergraduate Student
Anna is a senior majoring in Environmental Science specializing in conservation and ecology. She was born in Kansas and grew up in San Antonio and plans to graduate in spring 2025, then pursue a master's degree. She has worked in sustainable farming and with microplastics testing here at UTSA, and has a passion for research, reading, and nature.
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 master's 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.
Tia Kline
Undergraduate Student
Tia was originally born in China and was adopted by her family in 2004. She has lived in San Antonio for the majority of her life. Transferring from Northeast Lakeview College, she is continuing her junior year at UTSA in hopes of graduating with Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. Upon graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and establish a career in research that involves dissecting plant species and observing their medicinal purposes.
Isabella Lejeune-Bolivar
Undergraduate Student
Isabella is a sophomore working towards her undergraduate degree 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. 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 in San Antonio. She is a proud first-generation college student and 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.
Christian Ramos
Undergraduate Student
Christian is a freshman majoring in Biology. He is fascinated by nature and sociology and enjoys hiking, piano, and playing games. For him, being able to work in a lab that studies microplastics and their impacts is amazing!
Alisia Romero
Undergraduate Student
Alisia is from North Carolina but moved to Texas in fall 2021. She is currently a senior Biology major at UTSA with a goal in obtaining her Ph.D. in a marine biology field post-graduation. She currently volunteers in an environmental microbiology lab on campus under Dr. Hutchinson and has been a member for over a year. Her passions include climate change, coral, coffee bean science, and video games. One day she hopes to be a professor to be able to spread the love of science.
Ananya Seth
Undergraduate Student
Ananya is currently a junior at UTSA completing her B.S in Environmental Science with a focus in conservation and restoration ecology. Her research interests include aquatic ecology, microplastics, soil science, wildlife, conservation and environmental remediation. She plans to pursue her master's after graduation and is currently working on a microplastics uptake by algae and will begin a study in the spring of 2025 analyzing microplastics in Asian clams.
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.
