Who We Are
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Principal Investigator
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Dr. Haldre Rogers
I am a community ecologist and conservation biologist, motivated by a desire to understand and effectively address environmental problems. My research investigates the impact of biodiversity loss on ecosystem functions and services, with a focus on mutualisms and food web dynamics in forest ecosystems. I finished my PhD in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington in 2011, then moved on to a Huxley Fellowship in the Department of BioSciences at Rice University in Houston, TX, then Assistant and Associate Professor positions in the Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Department at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. In August 2022, I moved to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.
I am a community ecologist and conservation biologist, motivated by a desire to understand and effectively address environmental problems. My research investigates the impact of biodiversity loss on ecosystem functions and services, with a focus on mutualisms and food web dynamics in forest ecosystems. I finished my PhD in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington in 2011, then moved on to a Huxley Fellowship in the Department of BioSciences at Rice University in Houston, TX, then Assistant and Associate Professor positions in the Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Department at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. In August 2022, I moved to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.
Post Docs
Dr. Siobhan R. Clemente
Siobhan joined the Rogers Lab in August 2025 as a NSF Postdoctoral Fellow in Biology. Broadly, she is interested in how plant secondary chemistry mediates interactions with animal pollinators and seed dispersers. Her research at Virginia Tech focuses on whether bird-dispersed fruiting plants alter the physiology and chemistry of their fruits when their animal mutualists have been extirpated from their environment. Before joining, Siobhan earned her PhD in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2025.
Google Scholar
Siobhan joined the Rogers Lab in August 2025 as a NSF Postdoctoral Fellow in Biology. Broadly, she is interested in how plant secondary chemistry mediates interactions with animal pollinators and seed dispersers. Her research at Virginia Tech focuses on whether bird-dispersed fruiting plants alter the physiology and chemistry of their fruits when their animal mutualists have been extirpated from their environment. Before joining, Siobhan earned her PhD in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2025.
Google Scholar
Dr. João Vitor Messeder
João joined the Rogers Lab in September 2025 after completing his Ph.D. in Ecology at The Pennsylvania State University as a Fulbright Scholar. His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of frugivory and seed dispersal interactions. During his Ph.D., João integrated evolutionary ecology with plant phylogenomics to explore how evolutionary history shapes the diversification of fleshy fruit traits, and how trait variation influences frugivory interactions and plant dependence on frugivores for seed dispersal. At Virginia Tech, he is analyzing data from the Mariana Islands to investigate forest dynamics, community assembly, and habitat connectivity, as well as collaborating on a meta-analysis on the role of frugivores in seed germination.
Google Scholar, ResearchGate
João joined the Rogers Lab in September 2025 after completing his Ph.D. in Ecology at The Pennsylvania State University as a Fulbright Scholar. His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of frugivory and seed dispersal interactions. During his Ph.D., João integrated evolutionary ecology with plant phylogenomics to explore how evolutionary history shapes the diversification of fleshy fruit traits, and how trait variation influences frugivory interactions and plant dependence on frugivores for seed dispersal. At Virginia Tech, he is analyzing data from the Mariana Islands to investigate forest dynamics, community assembly, and habitat connectivity, as well as collaborating on a meta-analysis on the role of frugivores in seed germination.
Google Scholar, ResearchGate
Graduate Students
John Bender
John joined the Rogers Lab in August 2021 after receiving his B.S. in Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his masters at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. John has been working in the CNMI since 2015 on a variety of projects involving restoration ecology. His research interests include community ecology, food web dynamics, and species translocations. John is currently the conservation biologist for Pacific Bird Conservation where he works on species translocations in the CNMI with the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
John joined the Rogers Lab in August 2021 after receiving his B.S. in Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his masters at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. John has been working in the CNMI since 2015 on a variety of projects involving restoration ecology. His research interests include community ecology, food web dynamics, and species translocations. John is currently the conservation biologist for Pacific Bird Conservation where he works on species translocations in the CNMI with the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Abir Jain
Abir joined the Rogers Lab in August 2022 after receiving his B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Mumbai and M.Sc. in Wildlife Science from the Wildlife Institute of India. His interests are in natural history, seed dispersal ecology, species interactions, global change, and science communication. For his PhD, he is studying the plant-seed disperser interactions across elevational gradients in the Appalachian forests to find out if seed dispersers can enable fleshy-fruiting plants to track climate change. Previously he studied fragmentation effects on plant-frugivore interactions in lowland tropical rainforests of India’s eastern Himalaya. 
Zia Crytser
Zia Crytser joined the Rogers Lab as a Master’s student in August 2024 after earning her B.S. in Integrative Biology from the University of Guam. Since 2017, she has worked with the Ecology of Birds Loss Project, examining the ecological roles of fanihi (Mariana fruit bat) and såli (Micronesian starling). For her Master’s, Zia is studying trophic shifts in vertebrates and arthropods across the Marianas using stable isotope analysis. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive science by integrating indigenous knowledge and collaborating with underrepresented communities. 
Amanda Wanphen Santos
Amanda Wanphen Santos joined the Rogers Lab as a Master’s student in August 2025 after earning her B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Oregon State University. Since 2017, she has worked with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Division of Fish and Wildlife, focusing on the ecology and conservation of native forest birds and seabirds. For her Master’s research, Amanda will study the population ecology of the endangered Yǻyaguak (Mariana swiftlet, Aerodramus bartschi) to inform conservation and recovery efforts. Her broader interests include island ecology, species interactions, and applied conservation management. |
Staff Members
Samantha García (Lab manager)
Sam joined the Rogers Lab in March 2026 as a lab manager after working as a researcher at the Field Museum of Natural History where she used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding as a tool to conduct biodiversity assessments and promote conservation. In 2024, Sam served as a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow working for NOAA Office of Law Enforcement. She holds a master's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where her thesis focused on the use of eDNA for the detection of aquatic invasive species. Sam is leveraging her expertise in eDNA to continue driving forward the Rogers Lab's metabarcoding projects and train undergraduates.
Sam joined the Rogers Lab in March 2026 as a lab manager after working as a researcher at the Field Museum of Natural History where she used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding as a tool to conduct biodiversity assessments and promote conservation. In 2024, Sam served as a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow working for NOAA Office of Law Enforcement. She holds a master's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where her thesis focused on the use of eDNA for the detection of aquatic invasive species. Sam is leveraging her expertise in eDNA to continue driving forward the Rogers Lab's metabarcoding projects and train undergraduates.
Undergraduate Researchers
Amiel Hopkins
Amiel Hopkins is a senior in Wildlife Conservation. He is helping with the stable isotope analysis of Sali in the Marianas and conducting a literature review on fleshy fruiting seed dispersal. Outside of the lab Amiel loves birding, herping, and backpacking. 
Emmet Case
Emmet is a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences. He is helping with DNA metabarcoding as part of the Ecology of Bird Loss Project. Outside of the lab he loves to hike and climb indoors and outdoors. 
Ashton McEacharn
Ashton is a junior in wildlife conservation working on the Ecology of Bird Loss Project, researching stable isotope ecology of the Mariana avifauna. Beyond the lab, he enjoys rock climbing, riding motorcycles, and primitive camping/wildlife interactions and observations. Grace Smuro
Grace Smuro is a freshman biological sciences major and pre-vet student. She is helping review and annotate camera trap footage for the Ecology of Bird Loss Project. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, writing, and crocheting. 
Camila Leiva
Camila joined the Rogers Lab in August 2026 and is a Freshman majoring in Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech. She is helping with the Ecology Bird Loss Project and analyzing camera trap footage to identify plant-pollinator interactions. Outside of the lab she enjoys running and trying new foods. 
Maddi Beedham
Maddi is a junior majoring in Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech. She joined the Rogers Lab in fall 2026 to assist Abir with his research on how animals that eat and spread fruit seeds shape where plants can grow along mountain slopes in Appalachian forests. The work explores whether these animal partnerships could help fruit-bearing plants shift to new elevations as temperatures rise. Maddi supports the project by reviewing camera trap footage and analyzing data. Outside of the lab, Maddi enjoys interactions with her tarantula, camping, and clothes design with sewing. Cole Sullivan-Fielding
Dominik Meade
Lab Photos
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Graduate Alumni
Dr. Martin Kastner
Martin Kastner, PhD student. My background is in restoration ecology and endangered species recovery, and I worked with såli crew on Guam for three years. I started off searching for and monitoring wild nests and then helped in an effort to design and install predator-proof nest boxes for the species.
Martin Kastner, PhD student. My background is in restoration ecology and endangered species recovery, and I worked with såli crew on Guam for three years. I started off searching for and monitoring wild nests and then helped in an effort to design and install predator-proof nest boxes for the species.
Dr. Jerilyn Jean Calaor
Jerilyn joined the Rogers Lab in August 2018 after receiving her B.S. in Biology at the University of Guam. Her interests are in community ecology, conservation biology, and invasion biology. For her PhD, she is studying arthropod food web dynamics in the Mariana Islands. Her dissertation evaluates impacts of bird loss on arthropod communities, assesses shifts in predator diets, and explores the role of spider mesopredators.
Jerilyn joined the Rogers Lab in August 2018 after receiving her B.S. in Biology at the University of Guam. Her interests are in community ecology, conservation biology, and invasion biology. For her PhD, she is studying arthropod food web dynamics in the Mariana Islands. Her dissertation evaluates impacts of bird loss on arthropod communities, assesses shifts in predator diets, and explores the role of spider mesopredators.
Dr. Ann Marie Gawel
Ann Marie studies novel ecosystems and conservation in the Mariana Islands. Part of her PhD thesis focused on seed dispersal in non-native vertebrates in a system that has lost its native vertebrates (the island of Guam). She is also addressing social science questions in her thesis focused on how public perceptions and misperceptions affect conservation goals. She has a BA from the University of Chicago and MSc from the University of Guam. She joined the Rogers lab in August 2016 after working for four years as a regulatory biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Outside of her research, she enjoys hiking and outrigger-canoe-paddling.
Ann Marie studies novel ecosystems and conservation in the Mariana Islands. Part of her PhD thesis focused on seed dispersal in non-native vertebrates in a system that has lost its native vertebrates (the island of Guam). She is also addressing social science questions in her thesis focused on how public perceptions and misperceptions affect conservation goals. She has a BA from the University of Chicago and MSc from the University of Guam. She joined the Rogers lab in August 2016 after working for four years as a regulatory biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Outside of her research, she enjoys hiking and outrigger-canoe-paddling.
Christiana Quinata
Christiana joined the lab after working for several years as a biologist for the Department of the Navy in Guam. She received her B.S. in Biology from Regis University. Her interests are in ecology, conservation and food web dynamics nuanced by introduced species and habitat modification in the Mariana Islands. The things that excite her in conservation work are applying scientific research through natural resource management and interacting with stakeholders involved.
Christiana joined the lab after working for several years as a biologist for the Department of the Navy in Guam. She received her B.S. in Biology from Regis University. Her interests are in ecology, conservation and food web dynamics nuanced by introduced species and habitat modification in the Mariana Islands. The things that excite her in conservation work are applying scientific research through natural resource management and interacting with stakeholders involved.
Dr. Brittany Cavazos
Brittany joined the Rogers Lab in August 2016 after receiving a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice University. Her PhD focused on conservation mutualistic interactions, functional diversity, and intraspecific trait variation, as well as how these change under environmental stressors.
Brittany joined the Rogers Lab in August 2016 after receiving a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice University. Her PhD focused on conservation mutualistic interactions, functional diversity, and intraspecific trait variation, as well as how these change under environmental stressors.
Emily Ernst
Emily joined the Rogers lab as a co-advised PhD student in January 2019. Her dissertation focused on the role of invasive grasses in changing fire regime dynamics in the southwestern United States. She examined how abiotic factors affect invasion success and analyzed the risk of invasion in a spatial context.
Emily joined the Rogers lab as a co-advised PhD student in January 2019. Her dissertation focused on the role of invasive grasses in changing fire regime dynamics in the southwestern United States. She examined how abiotic factors affect invasion success and analyzed the risk of invasion in a spatial context.
Undergraduate alumni
Nate Salzberg (Virginia Tech, 2023-2026)
Ezra Staengl (Virginia Tech, 2025-2026)
Alex Loria (Virginia Tech)
Maya Murasaki (Virginia Tech, 2025)
Baxter Beamer (Virginia Tech)
Grace Hogye (Virginia Tech, 2023-2024)
Claire Heh (Virginia Tech 2024)
Anna Pletch (Virginia Tech 2023-2024)
Natalie Dombrowksi (Iowa State, 2020 - 2022)
Kamy Erikson (Iowa State, 2019)
Jillian Kurovski (Iowa State, 2019)
Ethan Rose (Iowa State, 2019)
Ella McGuire (Iowa State, 2019)
Paola Soto-Mendez (Iowa State, 2019)
Gino Savaria (Iowa State, 2019)
Nick Lyon (masters student 2017-2019)
Juan-Carlos Mungaray (Iowa State, 2017-2018)
Sungju Nielsen (Iowa State, 2017)
Alex Karnish (Iowa State, 2016-2018)
Andrea Colton (Iowa State, 2016-2017)
Dr. Miranda Salsbery (Iowa State, 2016-2017)
Anna Vymetal (Iowa State, 2017)
Ezra Staengl (Virginia Tech, 2025-2026)
Alex Loria (Virginia Tech)
Maya Murasaki (Virginia Tech, 2025)
Baxter Beamer (Virginia Tech)
Grace Hogye (Virginia Tech, 2023-2024)
Claire Heh (Virginia Tech 2024)
Anna Pletch (Virginia Tech 2023-2024)
Natalie Dombrowksi (Iowa State, 2020 - 2022)
Kamy Erikson (Iowa State, 2019)
Jillian Kurovski (Iowa State, 2019)
Ethan Rose (Iowa State, 2019)
Ella McGuire (Iowa State, 2019)
Paola Soto-Mendez (Iowa State, 2019)
Gino Savaria (Iowa State, 2019)
Nick Lyon (masters student 2017-2019)
Juan-Carlos Mungaray (Iowa State, 2017-2018)
Sungju Nielsen (Iowa State, 2017)
Alex Karnish (Iowa State, 2016-2018)
Andrea Colton (Iowa State, 2016-2017)
Dr. Miranda Salsbery (Iowa State, 2016-2017)
Anna Vymetal (Iowa State, 2017)
Post Doc Alumni
Dr. Claudia Nuñez-Penichet (2025-2026)
Dr. Harmony Yomai
Dr. Luís Felipe Daibes (Visiting Post Doc 2023)
Dr. Hugo Thierry (2017-2020)
Dr. Hernani F. M. Oliveira (2019-2020)
Dr. Evan Fricke (2015-2018)
Dr. Elizabeth Wandrag (collaborative postdoctoral researcher through Rice University and University of Guam 2013-2015)
Dr. Harmony Yomai
Dr. Luís Felipe Daibes (Visiting Post Doc 2023)
Dr. Hugo Thierry (2017-2020)
Dr. Hernani F. M. Oliveira (2019-2020)
Dr. Evan Fricke (2015-2018)
Dr. Elizabeth Wandrag (collaborative postdoctoral researcher through Rice University and University of Guam 2013-2015)