Spade Dieter-Shambaris (they/them)
Undergraduate Student
Hello, I’m Spade! I’m an undergraduate student at CU Boulder studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I’ve found animals interesting since I was a kid. In the future, I hope to have a career working with animals in some way. I’m very excited to work with the Gil Lab and learn more about fish behavior and marine biology, and get the experience to work in a research lab. Outside of work and school I like reading, playing video games, crocheting, and spending time with friends and family and occasionally volunteering at the Museum of Nature and Science.
Jayla Cataldi (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hello, I’m Jayla, an undergrad at CU majoring in environmental studies with a minor in theater. I’m originally from Fortuna, California, which is where my love of marine life was born. Growing up my family would go to the beach, go crabbing, visit fish hatcheries and hike. I also have a love for the arts, costume design, and performing leading to why I minor in theater.
Chloe Curtin (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hi, I’m Chloe! I am an undergraduate student at CU, and am studying Ecology and Evolutionary biology. I have been fascinated by the ocean and its organisms, especially coral, since 7th grade when I went on a trip to Key West, Florida for marine biology. I am so excited to be part of the Gil Lab, and pursue new critical knowledge about the world and the oceans through lab research. I am currently working on the effect of butterflyfish foraging and disease outbreak! Outside of school, I love to play tennis, hike, spend time with friends and family, play the flute, and listen to music.
Heather Engelhardt (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hi! I’m Heather, and I’m a double major at CU in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Anthropology. I am from New Orleans, Louisiana, where I’ve had a multitude of jobs ranging from working at a bakery all the way to teaching sailing to kids. Some of my hobbies include running, cooking, skiing, and climbing, so I am grateful to be in an environment where these activities are so popular. I have always been drawn to tropical ecology after my family, and I traveled to a few different Caribbean islands and scuba dived and snorkeled above coral reefs. These memories will always be so special to me, so I am excited to see what can be done to help aid these beautiful ecosystems and keep them healthy!
Zach Gillings (he/him)
Undergraduate Student
Hi, I’m Zach, and I am an undergraduate honors thesis student in the Gil Lab. During my time in the lab, I have become fascinated with the complex interactions and tradeoffs that happen between fish in a reef, as well as the technology we leverage to analyze these behaviors. The project I am leading focuses on the territorial dynamics and aggressive behavior of damselfish, and how these affect and are affected by other fish like parrotfish, surgeonfish, and wrasses. Outside of the lab, I love nature and the outdoors. You’ll likely find me fly fishing, backpacking, or skiing in the mountains. When I get the chance to be on the ocean, I love diving and snorkeling. I plan to pursue a PhD in marine biology after my undergrad, and I’m excited to keep advancing our understanding of reef systems and contributing to their conservation!
Caroline Lacey (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hey my name is Caroline! I’m a junior/senior at CU Boulder, majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I transferred here from Metro State and spent almost four years working as a vet tech assistant at clinics around Colorado before starting with the Gil Lab. I’m also a certified EMT, which is where a lot of my interest in hands-on, high-pressure care comes from. Outside of school and lab, I compete in powerlifting and coach a couple of clients.
Olivia Lopez (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hi, I’m Olivia! I am an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder currently majoring in Ecology and Environmental Biology, minoring in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. I grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland, and spent a lot of time along the East Coast, where I was frequently exposed to marine life and coastal environments. This helped grow my love for Marine Biology at a young age and I’ve since had numerous opportunities to snorkel all along the Caribbean as well as the Florida Keys. I’m so excited to be a part of the Gil Lab to help with research on coral reef restoration. I am most interested in the impacts of climate change and how we can restore these marine ecosystems. When not in school, I serve on the executive board of my sorority and enjoy hobbies such as backpacking, skiing/snowboarding, and running.
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.
Mars Ray (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hi- My name is Mars!
I am an undergrad at CU Boulder and a new research assistant in the Gil Lab. I have been an animal advocate my entire life. I value equality & equity for all beings on Earth. I have and always will stand up and speak for those who cannot speak for themself. I have a passion for the musical arts & natural sciences. I love to share & receive knowledge, learning about the world around me every day, including learning about all different perspectives on life. I will be reading, playing games, journaling or creating art in my free time! I also enjoy traveling, hiking, camping and exploring nature. The world of scientific research has forever been a realm of inspiration for me and I am so excited to be contributing to this world through the lens of science and learning from my amazing mentors & peers.
Megan Semple (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hi, I’m Megan! I am studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology here at Boulder and am on the pre-vet track. Animal behavior has always fascinated me. Because of this interest, I have gained experience working with organizations like the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and SANCCOB, where I assisted with animal husbandry, veterinary care, and research. Within LWT, I worked in areas such as troop integration and behavioral research on yellow baboons and vervet monkeys. Additionally, at SANCCOB, I assisted with veterinary care for seabirds. However, these organizations primarily worked with land animals, and my passion for scuba diving and marine conservation led me to join the Gil lab. Through this lab, I get to study fish and eel behavior, which not only aligns with my interests, but has also been incredibly interesting. Researching animal cognition is also a deep interest of mine, and I have been able to work more in this area by studying collective behavior in the Gil lab.
Jenna Stapp (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hello! My name is Jenna Stapp, and I am a third year undergraduate honors thesis student in the Gil Lab. I am majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology and minoring in journalism and environmental studies. Researching in the Gil Lab for over two years, I enhanced my passion for coral reef ecology and behavioral ecology. Specifically, I am leading a project studying the effects of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) on the foraging behavior of foureye butterflyfish in the Caribbean. I am especially interested in pursuing a career in field work to inform conservation, and I am eager to continue in this field of study in graduate school. Outside of the lab, I love to backpack, climb fourteeners, ski, snorkel, and swim!
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!
Sara van Stratum (she/her)
Graduate Student
Hi, I am Sara and I am a Master’s student in Freshwater and Marine Biology at the University of Amsterdam. I am working with the Gil Lab for my first Master’s thesis, for which I am studying how foraging behaviour of herbivorous reef fish is influenced by the structural complexity of the reef and nutrient enrichment.
Ivy Vicory (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hi, I’m Ivy! I am an undergraduate at CU Boulder studying Integrative Physiology with minors in Biochemistry and Space. Having lived in Colorado my whole life, I grew up with little exposure to marine life. I was drawn to the Gil Lab because it was a transformative opportunity to apply myself to a completely different environment. I am deeply interested in environmental conservation and this lab highlights the impacts humans have on marine life. I am eager to explore more ecological niches and contribute to our understanding of how we can better live harmoniously with Earth’s diverse habitats.
Rebecca Wallace (she/her)
Undergraduate Student
Hello! I am Rebecca, an undergraduate dual majoring in EBIO and Computational Mathematics. I am a research assistant in the Gil lab working with computer vision and an agent based model. My main passion is the intersection between mathematics and the natural world; the process of quantifying seemingly random behavior is fascinating to me. I am also generally excited by animal behavior and conservation. When I am not working in the lab or taking classes, I love card games, hanging out with animals, volunteering and reading.
Gil Lab 