Lab Members
Dr. Natalie Hofmeister, Principal Investigator
Natalie (she/her) is a biologist and a historian interested in how birds evolve in response to changing environmental conditions, and how humans understand and relate to birds, especially invasive ones like the European starling.
In her free time, she likes knitting, reading, trying out new recipes, and hiking with her partner and her dogs Steve and Biscuit. (Steve is in the backpack she’s carrying to the left.)
Graduate Students
Bella Riem
Bella (she/her) is a PhD student interested in how birds evolve in response to changing environmental conditions, with a focus on how behavior and cognition shape the genetics and dispersal of invasive species like the European starling. She is especially interested in questions of conservation and how species adapt to new environments.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, puzzles, arts and crafts, traveling, and spending time with her cat, Tinkerbell.
Undergraduate Students
Trinity Kays
Trinity (she/her) is an REU student interested in secondary succession, habitat restoration, and wildlife conservation. She is also interested in how people’s perspectives on land use and their environments influences conservation efforts.
Her hobbies include doing crafts, taking naps with her cats Merlin and Mushu, and wading through creeks.