Meet The Team

I am an El Paso, TX native and proud to be serving as an assistant professor at NMSU! I worked with hellbenders for my PhD research and they still hold a special place in my heart. I have been lucky to also work with Pacific coast salamanders, turtles, and now New Mexican wildlife. My research interests are in wildlife disease ecology, population genetics, microbial ecology, and herpetology. I teach Principles of Fish and Wildlife Management (FWCE 2110), Wildlife Disease Management (FWCE 542) and Herpetology (FWCE 467) in the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology. 

I am a PhD student in the OHG lab within the Plant and Environmental Sciences department, originally from Marietta, Georgia. After earning my B.S. from the University of Georgia, I recently completed my M.S. at Colorado State University. My research focuses on understanding how climate and environmental changes impact amphibian stress physiology and disease dynamics. With a foundation in neuroscience and natural resources, I am passionate about combining these fields to explore the complexities of herpetofauna disease. I am excited to continue building my expertise and aim to pursue a career in research and teaching as a faculty member at a research institution, where I can contribute to the field of wildlife disease and mentoring future scientists.

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, I’m currently studying turtle populations across the Pacific Northwest. My research utilizes geospatial analysis tools to determine how environmental variation in habitat can affect disease presence, pathogen load, and movement behavior in northwestern pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata). Upon graduation, I will be looking for new opportunities in conservation biology that encourage interdisciplinary discovery.

I'm from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico where I graduated as Veterinary Zootechnic from the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez. My thesis projects will be focused on populations ecology and Bd disease resistance in Chiricahua leopard frogs along New Mexico and Arizona. After graduation, I'll look for wildlife conservation opportunities through government agencies hoping to focus on fieldwork.

I was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I have recently graduated from NMSU with my BS in Wildlife Management and Ecology. As an undergrad, my research was focused on the nest occupancy and diet habits of the American Kestrel in the Mesilla Valley. I am now beginning a Master’s Program in the OHG Lab focusing on population genetics and immunogenetics of Western Pond Turtles on the West Coast. I will look to continue pursuing higher education and become the first in my family to receive a PhD!

I am a Las Cruces native, and my current research is focused on exploring the gut microbiome and internal parasites in native and non-native ungulates in Southern New Mexico, evaluating seasonal shedding rates, diversity and load.  I plan to have a career focused on enhancing the management of native and non-native species, learning the drivers for habitat selection, and investigating the impacts of anthropogenic activities on animal behavior.

Born and raised in Torreón, Coahuila, México. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED). Between 2017 and 2024, I contributed to technical and research teams on sea turtle conservation projects in nesting zones of the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of México, and the Caribbean Sea. As a Fulbright scholar, I am currently pursuing a master’s in Fish & Wildlife Conservation Ecology. At the OHG Lab, my research centers on nesting ecology and genetic relatedness of northwestern/southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata/Actinemys pallida). After completing my degree, I will continue working with non-profit organizations on wildlife conservation initiatives. 

I was born and raised in the northern communities of New Mexico. I graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the University of New Mexico, where I worked as a Genetics Technician in the Turner Lab, focusing on mitochondrial DNA for the Silvery Minnow project and several other fish species. I then took a break from school and gained experience working with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a Biological Science Technician, where I contributed to habitat restoration projects supporting biodiversity at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge. Now, I look forward to pursuing my master’s degree and studying the Sacramento Mountain Salamanders.

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Photo Credit: Laurel Ladwig

I am a junior at NMSU majoring in Animal Science. In the future, I hope to become either a Small Animal or Exotic Veterinarian. Im excited to join Dr. OHG’s lab to gain more experience & knowledge when it comes to wildlife and research!

I'm from southern Arizona, and am an undergraduate at NMSU majoring in Conservation Ecology, as well as Biology. I am very excited to be working on a project looking at the bacterial diversity on the skin of Chiricahua leopard frogs. In my future career, I intend to use my experience and education to work in wildlife conservation and foster positive human-animal interactions. 

I’m a double major in Biology and Microbiology at NMSU with a focused interest in pathogenic microorganisms — particularly how they survive, adapt, and interact with the host.  I currently work with Listeria and am excited to expand my knowledge in Dr. OHG’s lab to learn more about Bd disease resistance, deepening my understanding of how different pathogens affect their hosts. Born in El Paso and raised in Ciudad Juárez, I proudly serve as the captain of NMSU’s mariachi, celebrating my culture while navigating life as a first-generation college student.