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Alexandra L. DeCandia, Ph.D.Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Biology, Georgetown University Research Associate Center for Conservation Genomics Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Alexandra (Allie) DeCandia joined Georgetown University in August 2021 as an Assistant Teaching Professor [CV]. As a researcher, Allie applies tools and concepts from molecular ecology, disease ecology, and conservation biology to inform wildlife management in captivity (e.g., black-footed ferrets) and the wild (e.g., Channel Island foxes and Yellowstone National Park wolves). As an educator, she applies a student-centered learning approach to actively engage students and trainees with material, while equipping them with skills and confidence to pursue scientific exploration. As a communicator, she shares her love of science with elementary through high school students through classroom visits, with the public through non-technical science writing, and with colleagues through peer-reviewed articles and presentations at scientific conferences. Outside of her work, her favorite activities include hiking (especially in National Parks!), exploring new cities, experimenting in the kitchen, and finding creative ways to be more eco-friendly. |
Mammal Research Team
Laura AdeduroUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2023 Major: Biology Minor: Disability Studies Laura is from PG County Maryland, so the DMV area has always been her home. She hopes to continue her Biology career in Medical Genomics and its relationship with congenital disease. Laura is currently an assistant for breast cancer research at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Although her academic interests may be medical, her personal interests are environmental. Laura also loves cooking and reading sociology books. Research Areas of Interest: ecology, climate change ecology, socio-ecological systems, population genetics |
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Alexandra (Alex) BamfordUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2023 Major: Environmental Biology Minor: French Alex is a senior from DC studying Environmental Biology and minoring in French. She joined the lab during her Junior year in hopes of learning more about ecology and wildlife health and conservation. Aside from research, Alex is a TA in the Biology Department and the Academic Chair of the newly founded Georgetown University Environmental Health Committee. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three dogs, going on long hikes, and cooking for friends and family. Research Areas of Interest: conservation, microbiology, climate change ecology, health, ecosystems management |
Dilara KamravaUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2023 Major: Environmental Biology Minor: Statistics Dilara is a senior in the College from Los Angeles, CA; although she grew up in Doha, Qatar. She became interested in being a part of the DeCandia Lab because of the unique opportunity for research in population ecology and evolutionary histories. Her current project, a literature review on the ecological constraints of Felidae traits, is inspired by previous research internships and classes with an emphasis on condensing large amounts of data into effective, digestible information. When Dilara is not in the lab, she loves to cross-stitch, play relaxing video games, and hang out with her rescue cat! Research Areas of Interest: biological statistics, long-term climate change, community ecology, habitat rebuilding |
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Samantha Pasciullo BoychuckUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2023 Major: Environmental Biology Samantha is a senior from Tabernacle, NJ. She was drawn to environmental biology after a childhood spent exploring nature with her friends and family. With the DeCandia lab, Samantha is exploring similarities and differences between island spotted skunk and island fox microbiomes on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. Additionally, she has performed research determining how temperature impacts chigger locomotion and how forest thinning influences tick populations in the NJ Pine Barrens. Also, she has explored Yellow-billed cuckoo migratory patterns, and learned about foraging in the Northeast United States. Beyond research, Samantha is a captain for New Student Orientation, coordinator for Georgetown Catholic retreats, an avid Beatles fan, and the proud owner of a goldendoodle named Lucy! Research Areas of Interest: conservation biology, ecosystem and resource management, gut microbiomes, animal behavior |
Salt Marsh Research Team
Co-Advised by Dr. Gina Wimp
Urooj AhmedUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2024 Major: Biology of Global Health Minor: Medical Humanities Urooj is a junior in the college from Bear, DE. Her interest in joining the DeCandia lab was piqued by her passion for conservation biology and the microbial genomics involved. Urooj is excited to apply her knowledge of microbial diversity to mammals and salt marshes after initially studying vineyard soils through the Regents Stem Scholar Program. She is most interested in how wellness is impacted by the environment and consequential health policy. Outside of the lab, Urooj enjoys birdwatching, listening to audiobooks, and crocheting– sometimes all at once! Research Areas of Interest: ornithology, environmental health equity, climate change |
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Diana BarnesUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2026 Major: Biochemistry Originally from Sierra Leone, Diana has spent a good portion of her life living in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. For as long as she can remember, she's been captivated by the prospects of learning countless new things about the science world; which is why her discovery about micro organisms existing any and everywhere, shaped one of the most intriguing destinations in her scientific journey. The idea of countless species being a part of the life filled environment around us doing what they have to do to maintain the flow of the ecosystem, would urge any scientist or upcoming scientist to be interested in battling species extinction. With the opportunity to be a part of the Salt Marsh Research team, she is not only expanding her ecological knowledge of the impact of salt marsh microbes on multiple ecosystems, but will contribute to preserving these important environments. To make things even better, she will also gain technological skills like coding, throughout this experience. Research Areas of Interest: conservation, microbial ecology, salt marsh ecology |
Diane BarnesUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2026 Major: Biochemistry Diane is originally from Sierra Leone but grew up in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. She was first introduced to microbes during a biology course the summer before starting college and was fascinated about how organisms so small could have such a huge impact on life processes. Diane finds it interesting that the human body has its own microbiome and exposure to foreign microbes can lead to various diseases. Her interest in this lab sparked in part due to the various questions she had following discussions of evolution in Foundations 2 and also her desire to save animals on the verge of extinction. Diane feels as though God put a plethora of species on earth for a reason, thus we must not let them go extinct. Understanding microbiomes and their impact on the environment could help us preserve natural habitats, which in turn would prevent many species from going extinct. Outside of science, Diane really enjoys working out, trying new things with friends and family, and experimenting with various fashion trends. Research Areas of Interest: microbiology, de-extinction, habitat conservation, neurobiology (creating undifferentiated cells that could become neurons), climate change |
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Sophia FarmerUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2026 Major: Biology Minor: Environmental studies Sophia is a freshman in the college from Detroit, MI. She was drawn to the DeCandia lab because of her interest in learning more about microbes, data interpretation software, and strategies. Throughout her time in college, she wants to explore the environmental programs and courses offered in habitat conservation and environmental health. Sophia has previous research experience with studying the microbial diversity of vineyard grapes, leaves, and soil during the summer before her freshman year. In her free time, she loves to draw, read, and explore new scenery! Research Areas of Interest: microbiology, ecology, habitat conservation, climate change, epidemiology |
Dawson HillyerUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2024 Major: Biology Minor: Japanese Dawson grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and spent a lot of time in the outdoors, playing in the woods or swimming in the river, so he's always been drawn to animals and their role in the ecosystem. When Dawson started at Georgetown, his experience with the Regents Scholars program introduced him to the microbiome and its interaction with vineyards, and since then he's been interested in all the different roles the microbiome can play. Whether it be the gut microbiome and human disease or the composition of the microbiome and its influence on wine, Dawson is very interested in how a microscopic biome can influence organisms and the environment on a large scale. Research Areas of Interest: microbiome dysbiosis, microbiology, virology, climate change |
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Tyller MensaUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2024 Major: Biology Minor: Psychology Tyller is a junior in the college from Charlotte, North Carolina. She became interested in conservation biology after landing her first job at the Conservation Corps of North Carolina. From this job, Tyller was able to restore multiple parks across the area by removing invasive species and planting new fauna. Her love for biology has led her to mentor freshman biology students in the Bio Buddies program. Interests outside of biology include acting, cooking, and listening to music! Research Areas of Interest: molecular biology, conservation, cell biology, genetics |
Carly RauhUndergraduate Research Assistant
Georgetown University, Class of 2025 Major: Environmental Biology Minor: Science, Technology, and International Affairs Carly is a sophomore in the College from Reno, Nevada and from a young age, she's always loved nature and getting outdoors! She's interested in soil microbiomes and the effect that climate change has on ecosystems and biodiversity. She's a TA for Foundations in Biology I and in her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, going to concerts, and watching reality TV. Research Areas of Interest: ecology, population genetics, hydrology, renewable energy |
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Lab Mascot
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Stella RaeLab Mascot
Stella Rae was adopted from Worthy Dog Rescue in January 2021, and soon after joined the DeCandia lab as the official lab mascot! She is interested in the local D.C. wildlife, and is particularly fond of squirrel- & bird-watching in Rock Creek Park. Outside of her work in the lab, Stella enjoys going for neighborhood walks, zooming around the dog park, making new friends, taking long naps on the couch, and watching football games and the Great British Baking Show with her humans. |
