People
Meet our team and learn about current projects and interests!
Dr. Heather Bracken Grissom
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-353
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
305 919-4190 (Phone)
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​Evolution, decapod phylogenetics, biodiversity, conservation, biogeography, ecology, taxonomy and systematics
Lorian Schweikert
Postdoctoral Associate
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-250D
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
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Neuroethology, sensory physiology, phenotypic plasticity, evolutionary ecology, ontogenetic and anthropogenic effects
Robert Ditter
PhD Candidate
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
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Molecular ecology, population dynamics, evolution, bushwhacking, phylobiogeography & systematics (phenotypic plasticity v. speciation v. mutation) of anchialine/marine invertebrates (chiefly decapods)
Dr. Danielle DeLeo
Postdoctoral Associate
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-250F
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Transcriptomics, deep sea biology, molecular ecology, marine invertebrates, conservation & the evolution of bioluminescence
Jorge Luis Pérez-Moreno
PhD Candidate
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-250D
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
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Biospeleology, speleogenomics, transcriptomics, aquatic invertebrates (crustaceans!), evolution, biodiversity & conservation
Robert Tomasetti
PhD Student
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-250N
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
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Connectivity, biodiversity, phylogenetics, biogeography
Zach Nickell
PhD Student
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-250N
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Phylogenetics, Decapods, Evolution, Ecology, Conservation
Charles Golightly
Lab Manager / PhD Student
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Deep ocean exploration and research, conservation, genetics/genomics
Stormie Collins
Lab Manager
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Phylogenetics, adaptive camouflage, taxonomy, conservation, and bioluminescence.
Carlos Varela
PhD Student
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Taxonomy and systematics of marine and freshwater peracarid and decapod crustaceans
Pedro Peres
Visiting PhD Student
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Evolutionary biology, Molecular Ecology, Phylogeography, Population genetics/genomics, Marine Ecology
Vanessa Moreno
Research Assistant
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Deep sea biology, evolutionary ecology, fish biology and phylogenetic traits in crustaceans.
Lys Isma
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Genetics in public health, epidemiology, microbiology
Anchita Sanan
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Deep sea biology, evolutionary ecology, decapod phylogenetics, fish biology!
Chris Rizzie
Research Assistant
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Spiny lobster in South Florida, particularly stock management, genetic variation, immigration, emigration, and seasonal migration behavior.
Nicole Perez
Research Assistant
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-250N
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Interests: Genetics / Genomics, evolution, molecular biology, marine invertebrates
Katrina Abel
Research Assistant
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151 Street, MSB-330
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA​​​​​​​​​​​
Octopus behavior and physiology, coral reef ecology, deep sea exploration, protection and management of our ocean
Previous Lab Members
Dr. Laura Timm
Former PhD Student
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Now pursuing a Postdoctoral position at the University of Colorado in Denver, Colorado.
Alexis Snyder
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant
Stacie Schulman
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant
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Dr. Hernán Vázquez-Miranda
Postdoctoral Associate
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Alyssa Morgan
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant
Julian Martínez
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant
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Barbara Moahamed
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant
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Adriana Suarez
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ahmed Alnahhas
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant
Joan Glenny
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant
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Jonathan Harms
Former Research Assistant
Blake Wilkins
Former Research Technician
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Lauren Ramos
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant.
Currently pursuing a field technician position in FIU's Everglades Ecology Research Lab under Dr. Joel Trexlor
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Sheilla Robles
Former Volunteer - Biscayne Bay Monitoring
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Shaina Lear
Former Research Technician
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Juliet Wong
Former Lab Manager/Research Technician
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Nicole Odzer
Former High School Research Assistant
Carmen Ekert
Former Undergraduate Research Assistant