PI: Dr. Norman O. Dronen, Jr.
I obtained my PhD in Zoology (Parasite Ecology) from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and have attended multiple research stations for broad training in freshwater invertebrate zoology, marine biology, parasitology and ichthyology. I’ve been an invited research scientist to China, Egypt, Mexico, London and Nebraska, USA, for various projects in parasite ecology and genetics. I’ve also been a professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences since 1997 and currently serve as an associate editor at Zootaxa.
Graduate Students
Charlayna Cammarata obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Biology with a minor in Mathematics for Environmental Science from Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, Alaska. She is pursuing her PhD in my laboratory using a multidisciplinary approach to study the Spirorchiid blood fluke community structure of turtles. Her research interests are broadly based in the epidemiology and molecular ecology of parasites and marine reptiles. Follow her on Twitter: @CharlaynaC
Cristina Arenaz obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology from the University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, Texas. She is working on her Master of Science degree studying avian cycolcoelid lung flukes (Trematoda: Digenea) to determine their life cycles in collaboration with the Schubot Exotic Bird Center. Her research and academic interests include completing a DVM and PhD in veterinary epidemiology. (She graduated in 2016).
Wesley Neely obtained his Bachelor’s of Science from North Greenville University in Tigerville, South Carolina. He is pursuing his Master’s of Science in my laboratory studying gastrointestinal helminths of native Texas freshwater turtles. His research interests include reptile and amphibian ecology.
Undergraduate Students
Kelsey Garner is a junior in the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department. She currently works with Charlayna Cammarata and Wesley Neely on their respective graduate research projects pertaining to turtle parasites. She is interested in pursuing a career in conservation and ecology of mammals and reptiles.
Scott Watson is a postbaccalaureate in the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department. Areas of interests include Herpetology with emphasis on ecology, evolutionary and conservation biology, ecotoxicology, and biochemical interactions at the genetic and molecular levels. He currently works with Charlayna Cammarata and Wesley Neely on their respective graduate research projects pertaining to turtle parasites.
Anna Bonczynski is a sophomore in the Geosciences Department. She formerly worked with Charlayna Cammarata and Wesley Neely on their respective graduate research projects pertaining to turtle parasites. She is interested in pursuing a career in groundwater and drill site remediation.
Jackson Byars is a sophomore in the Wildlife and Fisheries Science Department. He formerly worked with Charlayna Cammarata and Wesley Neely on their graduate projects, as well as a small project of his own on the turtle parasites. His interests are in conservation, with an emphasis on herpetology.