anthony.geneva@rutgers.edu

Anthony is broadly interested in the evolutionary genomics of adaptation and speciation. While he has published in a variety of model systems, he’s most often worked with squamate reptiles – which are the main focus of the Geneva Lab. Before joining the faculty at Rutgers Camden, Anthony received his PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Rochester supervised by Rich Glor and Dan Garrigan and was a postdoctoral fellow in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University in the lab of Jonathan Losos.

NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biology

Center for Computational & Integrative Biology

jodymtaft@gmail.com

Jody has growing interests in reptile ecology and evolution, especially within urban systems. He is particularly interested in form, function, and rapid trait adaptation and how this is reflected across the genome. Jody completed his Ph.D. research in the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand working with Graham Alexander (Wits), Krystal Tolley (SANBI), and Anthony Geneva (Rutgers-Camden). He is working on assembling a reference genome for Bradypodion, the southern African dwarf chameleons, and taking a population genomic approach to detect genetic changes underlying contemporary adaptation in five species of Bradypodion.

Center for Computational & Integrative Biology

Caden is interested in the genomics and conservation biology of reptiles and birds. They earned a BSc (Hon) with a specialization in molecular genetics and a minor in biology from the University of Toronto. Their senior thesis looked at changes in habitat usage across life stages in the endangered Eastern Foxsnake. In their free time, Caden enjoys gardening, tabletop games, spending time with their parrot, and doing LGBTQ+ youth outreach.

NSF Graduate Research Fellow
Center for Computational & Integrative Biology

Cleo is interested in urban ecology, invasive species, and thermal physiology. She is a graduate of Liam Revell’s laboratory at UMass Boston, where her undergraduate work centered around urban anoles. Cleo previously worked at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology’s Herpetology department. Cleo is passionate about science, outreach, coding, and cats.

Center for Computational & Integrative Biology

alyssa.vanerelli@rutgers.edu

Alyssa is interested in genomics, phylogenetics, conservation, and reptiles. Her projects include assembling a new reference genome for Anolis grahami, as well as investigating the genomic component of parallel and convergent evolution in Anolis lizards. She graduated from UNC Asheville, where she worked with Graham Reynolds studying the evolution and conservation of Caribbean Boas. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys birding, photography, and crafting! Check out her website to learn more!

Department of Biology

MacKenna is interested in ecology, conservation, and herpetology. She is currently studying the frequency and evolution of adenoviruses in Jamaican Anolis lizards. She earned her B.S. in Biology from The College of New Jersey. There, she studied the ecology and behavior of corn snakes and eastern kingsnakes with Dr. Howard Reinert. Outside of the lab, MacKenna enjoys puzzles, hiking, and hanging out with her parrot, Yoshi!

Center for Computational & Integrative Biology

Regan is interested in ecology, conservation, evolution, and endangered species. She earned a BS in Biology with a minor in women, gender, and sexuality studies from The College of New Jersey. Her undergraduate lab work centered around songbird physiology. In her free time, Regan enjoys going to the gym, herping, fishing, and doting on her dog Wiggles!

NIH MARC Fellow
Department of Biology

Alex is interested in genomics, population ecology, reptiles, and evolution. He is an undergraduate NIH MARC Fellow earning his BS in Biology and Global Studies at Rutgers-Camden. He is investigating the evolutionary origins of an invasive population of Anolis equestris in Miami, Flordia, and assembling its genome. Outside the lab, he enjoys, collecting vinyls, cooking and trying new foods, and hiking with his dog Maxx!

Department of Biology

For her Senior thesis Lex investigated the phylogenetic relationships between introduced populations of Italian wall lizards in the Northeastern United States. She also screened these populations for the presence of reptile atadenoviruses.

NIH MARC Fellow
Department of Biology

Sashoya has recently completed the LAGNiAppE training program at LSU! Sashoya is interested in genomics, human-wildlife remediation, and wildlife conservation. She was an undergraduate NIH MARC Fellow earning her BS in Biology at Rutgers-Camden. Her project investigated the evolutionary origins of Adenovirus (AdV), particularly a novel lineage that infects Anolis lizards. Outside of her research, she enjoys spending copious amounts of time in the gym, cycling, and scrolling through cute animal clips!

Department of Biology

Andrew is interested in genetics, disease biology, and evolution. He completed his MS in Biology at Rutgers University–Camden in 2022. His research focused on testing for evidence of natural selection on the CXADR gene which encodes the Coxsackie and Adenovirus receptor in Anolis species. Andrew is passionate about dogs, longboarding, motorcycles, and guitars.