Liam Gutierrez (he/him)
Undergraduate Project Management Assistant Honors Thesis Student
Hello, I’m Liam! I’m an undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology as well as Physical Geography. My interest in these fields began as a kid watching Animal Planet, evolving into a deep fascination with animal behavior, decision-making, and the ecological impacts of those choices. I’m particularly curious about how the environment shapes behaviors and the intricate connections within these ecosystems.
Coming from Mexico City, I have witnessed firsthand the environmental challenges our ecosystems face, such as urban pollution and habitat loss, and throughout my studies, there has been a lot of hopelessness surrounding the recovery and protection of these ecosystems. I hope to contribute my research to satisfy my curiosity and advocate for sustainable practices.
When I’m not studying or researching, you can find me outdoors—climbing rocks, running, or playing music. I look forward to continuing my journey in science and exploring the many ways we can better understand and protect our natural world.
Nicholas Montagu (he/his)
Undergraduate Project Management Assistant
Hello, I’m Nicholas. I am an undergraduate at CU Boulder, studying Evolutionary Biology and Ecology. I am interested in the development of animals, how they evolve with their environment, and how they may change in the future. I started my college career studying Computer Science at CU for 2 years. During that time, I would consume information about the evolution of modern life and speculative evolution while working on my CS degree. This eventually led me to realize that I could take what I had already learned in CS and apply that to my hobby to help predict the future of life in a rapidly changing climate. By working with the Gil lab, I get to work on this idea through ecosystem mapping to create predictive models of how fish behaviors will change. This helps to illustrate how a changing world will impact the health of reef ecosystems and the behavior of the fish that live in them.
Gabriel Zinser (he/him)
Undergraduate Project Management Assistant
Hello, I’m Gabe, an undergraduate student at CU in the Gil Lab! I’m majoring in molecular biology in addition to studying computational biology. I value doing research across disciplines as it provides a nuanced understanding of the sciences and gives me a unique perspective. I enjoy the quantitive aspects of research and the ways in which technology aids our understanding of the natural world. The water has always been an important part of my life. I grew up competitively swimming, diving, and playing water polo. In the summers I float around in lakes and walk up and down west coast tide pools. Because of this, researching marine life appealed to me and I am so glad I found the Gil lab. My research interests are broad and I love the way in which different academic areas interact with each other.
Madison McKee (she/her)
Undergraduate Project Management Assistant
Hi I’m Maddie! I am an undergraduate student at CU, studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Despite having lived in Colorado my entire life, with limited exposure to marine life, I have developed a broad interest in marine organisms and the interactions they have within their ever-changing environments. My unique path in science has been driven by a passion for understanding these intricate relationships and the dynamics of ecosystems. My fascination with marine life, combined with my background in data interpretation through various programs, and my enjoyment in uncovering patterns in ecological interactions, have fueled by desire to join this lab. I am excited to continue working with the Gil Lab because it provides a perfect starting opportunity to deepen my understanding and contribute to meaningful research in the field.
Katherine Urban (she/her)
Undergraduate Project Management Assistant
Hi my name is Katherine! I am an undergraduate student at University of Colorado, Boulder pursuing a double major in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies. I am originally from Philadelphia, PA and love to snowboard, bake, and hike in my freetime. I am interested in all things environmental, but specifically marine biology & conservation, environmental justice and sustainability, anthropogenic effects on ecosystems, and terrestrial mammal conservation. My passion for science has been a lifelong one fueled by my need to understand the complexities of nature, but I originally came to CU to study Environmental Engineering but ended up changing my major and joining my current programs “late”. However, since getting more involved in the EBIO program, I have been able to direct that passion to focus my studies on marine conservation. I am so excited to join the Gil Lab & collaborate with other curious individuals on projects and gain a better understanding of specific data collection processes!
Naomi Pearlman (she/her)
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Student
Hello, I’m Naomi! I am an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado, Boulder studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Media Production. Growing up on the East Coast has led me to fall in love with marine biology at such a young age, and I was thrilled to be able to study the ocean in a land locked state through the Gil Lab. I am most interested in how humans are impacting coral reef communities, and have been involved in several projects through the lab. I am currently pursing an undergraduate honors thesis studying social cues and information cascades within garden eels communities. I hope to continue on my education after I graduate, looking at how artificial light is impacting coral reefs and other marine organisms. In my free time I enjoy underwater photography, snowboarding, and filmmaking!
Evelyn Esparza (she/her)
Previous Undergraduate Student, Volunteer
B.A. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, CU Boulder ’23
Hi, I’m Evelyn! During my time at CU Boulder, I found my passion for research in animal behavior and ecology. I have been fortunate to join amazing labs that have granted me the opportunity to study marine ecosystems. These opportunities have included: performing necropsies to study parasitology, conducting fieldwork in Curaçao to study territoriality, and now, working within the Gil Lab to contribute to research in behavioral analysis. I am excited to continue my journey by focusing on the impacts changing environments (from pollution, climate change, etc.) have on social behaviors within marine species. I hope to pursue a master’s in marine ecology in the future. Living in Colorado means that when I’m not working, I am taking advantage of the beautiful outdoors with hikes and runs. I also love to create through fiber arts and read as many books as humanly possible.
Madeline Mancini (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hi I’m Maddie! I am a current undergrad at CU with a double major in Sociology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Creative Technology and Design. I am so lucky and grateful to be a part of the Gil Lab here, and I love combining ecology and sociology to study not only how ecosystems change, but how those changes impact communities. When I am not studying, I love playing lacrosse, hiking, trail running, and being with friends.
Kim Macdonald (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hello, I’m Kim, an undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Environmental Studies and Psychology, with a minor in Geology! As a member of the lab’s Collective Behavior team, I am fascinated by the way animal behavior can influence species interactions and drive shifts in ecosystem structure. My love for marine science began at a young age when I first encountered horseshoe crabs–remarkable animals that sparked my curiosity and fueled my desire to explore the fascinating creatures of the ocean! Growing up in San Antonio, I had limited exposure to the ocean, so I’ve always made it my goal to find work near the water during the summers. My previous experiences in marine science include working in sea turtle research and rehabilitation in Costa Rica and North Carolina, as well as conducting surveys that monitor eelgrass biodiversity, horseshoe crab spawning, and the prevalence of marine invasive species around Massachusetts. Outside of work, I spend my time traveling, hiking, enjoying live music, and appreciating the great outdoors with friends! I am honored to be part of a team that rethinks the boundaries of studying marine ecosystems, making an impact through innovative research while advancing quantitative behavioral ecology and conservation!
Jayden Miller (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hello, I’m Jayden. I am an undergraduate at CU Boulder majoring in Environmental Studies and Ecological and Evolutionary Biology. I am from Lakewood, Colorado, where I have enjoyed hobbies such as running, hiking, reading, and skiing. But I have also been passionate about marine biology for as long as I can remember. To pursue these interests, I have volunteered at the Denver Aquarium and interned with the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies to help with research on bottlenose dolphins in the Mississippi Sound. My primary interests are in shark research and conservation but I have discovered a fascination in behavioral ecology as well. In the future, I hope to contribute to research exploring the roles of key marine species in shaping marine ecosystems and how these species are responding to climate change.
Zach Gillings (he/him)
Undergraduate Student
Hi, I’m Zach! I am an undergraduate student at CU Boulder studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I was born in Toronto, Canada but have lived in Colorado for most of my life. I have always loved the outdoors and enjoy fishing, skiing, and climbing when I have the time. This, combined with a passion for science led me to pursue biology. After having the opportunity to dive on reefs, I discovered a specific interest in marine biology. My goal for the future is to make a meaningful contribution to knowledge in the field that can be used to inform conservation
efforts and policy to protect valuable marine ecosystems. I have done some individual research on contaminants and stream health, but the Gil Lab is the first real lab I have worked with. Fish
behavior is very interesting to me, and I am excited to contribute to the lab’s research efforts!
Jenna Stapp (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hello, I’m Jenna! I am an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado, Boulder. I am originally from Littleton, Colorado. I am striving for a major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a minor in Journalism. I love to backpack, ski, read, mountain bike, and hike whenever possible. Ever since I was little, I aspired to study wildlife. I analyzed animal tracks on my first camping trip when I was six, and I have since continued to instill my passion for biology. My dream career is to work as a photographer and researcher for National Geographic. I am the only female in my family to pursue a major in biology, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to work with others who feel the same adoration to study marine biology in the Gil Lab.
Kaylen Swindle (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hello, my name is Kaylen Swindle! I am an undergraduate student at CU Boulder pursuing a major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a minor in Sociology. I have known I wanted to pursue animal research since I was a kid, and I am so grateful I get to make that dream come true. My main focus is in animal behavior, specifically with tropical organisms. I want to attend grad school after graduation and continue pursuing research in the field. I am very thankful for the Gil Lab for providing these opportunities!
Rylee Robinson (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hi, I’m Rylee! I’m an undergraduate student studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a research assistant in the Gil Lab, where I work on the behavioral ecology of coral reef fishes. My favorite marine animal is the Southern Resident Killer Whale, and my long-term goal is to become a joint professor–researcher in marine biology. I’m deeply passionate about science communication and about advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within scientific spaces. I strongly believe that clear, inclusive communication leads to stronger science, and sharing my passion for these issues is something I truly value. Outside of the Gil Lab, you’ll find me trying (and often failing) to keep up with my dog on the trails, backcountry skiing, or planning my next dive trip. Above all, I strive to be a lifelong student; always learning from people who are passionate about using research, like the work we do in the Gil Lab, to make the world a better place.
Chloe Lewis (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hey, I’m Chloe and I’m super grateful to be a part of the Gil Lab! I’m an undergraduate at the University of
Colorado Boulder double majoring in Environmental Studies and Economics with a minor in Political Science. I
grew up in the Catskills in New York where I was constantly surrounded by nature and people who were
concerned about the future of the environment. This sparked my interest in environmental conservation, but it
wasn’t until high school when my interest for marine conservation started to grow. As a kid I was terrified of the
ocean, but I was still always mesmerized by marine animals of all kinds. A few years ago I got my PADI scuba
certification and have increasingly become interested in pursuing a career within the realm of marine spatial
planning. In order to reach that goal, I plan on pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree after completing my
undergraduate studies. But aside from academics, I enjoy weightlifting, skiing, scuba diving, hiking, reading,
cooking, and so much more.
Gil Lab 