The Team
Who We Are
Karina Sanchez (Lab PI)
Assistant Professor
I am a first-generation college student and a proud Latina. I joined the Biology Department faculty at CSUDH in Fall of 2024 after completing a Postdoc at the University of New Hampshire. My research interests include studying wildlife behavioral responses to urbanization and biological education research to create inclusive higher education ecosystems. I teach Intro to Ecology and Evolution, Ecology, and Undergraduate student seminar.
Graduate Students
Brianna Baeza
I am a first-generation Mexicana and I earned my Bachelor of Science in biology at the University of California, Riverside. I am now in my first year of my MS in the biology program at CSUDH. I am interested in understanding the complexity between urbanization and acclimatization in urban, suburban, and rural birds. My current research focuses on investigating the effects of light and noise pollution on antipredator responses in killdeer of Southern California. I am passionate about teaching and creating equitable access for future STEM Latine students pursuing higher education. In the future, I hope to use my positionality to increase equitable access to local conservation knowledge and efforts within marginalized communities.
Undergraduate Students
Nyla Henry
McNair Scholar and Undergraduate Researcher
Project: Ecological factors in the prevalence of Feline Leukemia virus in Los Angeles city cats.
Bio: I’m currently a senior undergraduate student at CSUDH, majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology, while pursuing a minor in Women’s Studies. My research project investigates the prevalence of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) amongst Los Angeles county’s community cats, and the ecological factors contributing to its spread. My interests consist of ecology, veterinary medicine, public health, ethology, and pathology; thus I’ve decided to pursue research that encompasses an aspect of each via an interdisciplinary approach. My overall goals are to obtain a PhD in Animal Behavior and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree; subsequently pursuing a career in academia or ethological research.
CJ Pasos
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Hi there! I’m an undergraduate student majoring in Ecology and Environmental Biology. Currently, I’m studying how urban birds interact with novel objects to better understand their boldness and behavior. I'm curious about many aspects within the environmental field, but I’m particularly drawn to wildlife interactions, conservation, scientific communication, and the ways we can restore habitats and protect ecosystems. Wherever I end up, I ultimately hope to contribute to a more sustainable future that fosters a deeper connection between people and the natural world. Outside of academics, you’ll usually find me drawing, playing indie video games, or watching animated shows and movies.
Cassandra Bennitt
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a current undergraduate research student at CSUDH pursuing a degree in ecology and environmental biology. My love for science stems from childhood trips to museums, zoos and botanical gardens. I would love to inspire others to be curious about the world around them and to ask questions. My main interest is in all things entomology! More specifically I am fascinated by ants and their complex social systems as well as their long standing survival over millions of years. I am currently studying the abiotic effects on the near infrared reflectivity of ant species at various elevations. My career goal is to manage, study and collect insect specimens and participate in public outreach and engagement in an informal educational setting.
Rob Lopez Ostorga
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Bio and pic coming soon!
Veronica Barrera
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Bio and pic on it's way!
THIS COULD BE YOU!
Are you interested in joining the lab? Contact Dr. Sanchez!
