• PI: Angelo
  • Postdoc: Camilo
  • Postdoc: Karen
  • Grad: Amani
  • Grad: Pedro
  • Associate: Abhi
  • Associate: Bruna
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J. Angel Soto-Centeno, PhD
I’m interested in population level processes and combine phylogeography, species distribution modeling, and fossils to solve evolutionary & demographic questions. I study recent mammal extinctions in the Caribbean, primarily in bats. I use genetic, fossil, and distribution model data to examine how recent climate change (i.e. from Pleistocene to Holocene) and anthropogenic habitat change affected populations of island bats. The combined use of these data is powerful and help us evaluate hypotheses about the evolutionary processes that shaped island bats and how they reacted to climate change and habitat change from past to present. By using this framework, I hope to improve our understanding of what happens to these bats today and better predict what may happen to them in the future. This program is question-driven and I have also applied these tools to other systems (e.g. rodents, cervids, and amphibians) in island and mainland environments. Other areas of research in my lab include questions on demography, population connectivity, community composition, natural history and speciation/species delimitation in mammals. ​
Check out Angelo's Google Scholar for a sample of publications.
Get an up-to-date version of Angelo's CV here.
Camilo Andrés Calderón-Acevedo, PhD
Camilo is interested in mammal evolution with emphasis in the Neotropics. His research focuses on Andean and Caribbean bat clades, studying their morphological variation, phylogenetics, and demographics. He likes exploring the diversification patterns of mammals in general, with a particular interest in the cryptic diversity present in Marsupials, Bats and Rodents. He uses systematics, taxonomy, ecology, and biogeography to understand mammal evolution, applying diverse methods such as niche modelling, linear and geometric morphometrics, and phylogenomics. Currently he is working on the phylogeographic patterns of Caribbean leaf nosed bats, the effect of anthropogenic and natural disturbances on bat population connectivity patterns in Caribbean landscapes, and species discovery and delimitation in the northern Andes. ​Wherever there's an arepa, you'll be sure to find him.
Karen Olsen, PhD
Her first appearance was on Batman #181 (1966).
Amani Abdelsalam (graduate student, MS)
Amani is interested in bat ecology and conservation. She believes that in order to protect bats, we must first determine which conditions are optimal for their survival and work to maintain them. Amani combines field research with quantitative methods to investigate the species richness, activity patterns, and habitat suitability of bats in New Jersey. She hopes to further explore the implications that anthropogenic factors - primarily urbanization - have on vulnerable and endangered species of bats. She is also an ardent fan of Wawa and the creator of our outstanding Wawa-bat gif.
Pedro Ivo Mônico (graduate student, PhD)
Pedro is interested in ecology and evolution, and studies biogeography in Caribbean bats. He combines molecular and morphological data to examine phylogenetic and phylogeographic models from these insular bat communities. Pedro is particularly interested in studying Caribbean bats that live in vulnerable habitats and/or are species of conservation concern, aiming to understand the past and present environmental dynamics and contribute to the knowledge of how these bat communities are assembled and maintained. He also is our lab's main provider of cappelletti.
Abhisheksinh Salunia, BS (research associate)
His first appearance was on Detective Comics #140 (1948).
Bruna da Silva Fonseca, PhD (research associate)
Her first appearance was on Batman #1 (1940).

Student and professional research at ​the SLaBB

Interested in our studies? 
If you are interested in biogeography, ecological niche modeling, paleontology, phylogeography, and systematics of bats, or other mammals, reach out to the PI for a chat. 

Are you a good match for the SLaBB?
We seek hard workers, independent thinkers, creators, problem solvers, highly motivated, and punctual scientists. You are not expected to know everything, but you are expected to do the necessary background reading, lab and field work, data analysis, and writing to take your project to the finish line. Whether you work on a new idea or were given a project from the lab, you are expected to take ownership and do what it takes to complete the work; it is your own experience and no one will do it for you. 

How to join:
  • For PhD or MS degree info, go here.
    • ​If you are interested in joining the lab as a graduate student, first read these: Modest Advise (by SC Stearns) and RB Huey's response. Then reach out to the PI.
  • Undergrads looking for research opportunities, follow the list below before inquiring:
    1. familiarize yourself with the ongoing research in the lab by reading some of our papers
    2. ask yourself "why do I want to join this lab?"
    3. stay grounded and be realistic – for a research experience to be meaningful, it typically requires at least 30 hrs of work/week in the summer and/or at least 10 hrs of work/week during the semester. Anything less than that will not work
    4. always remember that doing research is our job, not a hobby
No funded post-docs open at this time. Reach out if you are interested in applying for funding and joining the SLaBB.

Past members at RU, AMNH, and FLMNH (* = published work)

22. Xitlaly Franquez (Pitzer College, Urban Ecology Summer REU 2021)
21. Brianna Rosania (Rutgers-Newark, Urban Ecology Summer REU 2021)
20. Abhi Salunia (Rutgers-Newark, 2021)
19. Teresa Mendoza (Rutgers-Newark, 2020–2021 LSAMP)
18. Coral Caceres (Rutgers-Newark, 2020)
17. Alejandra Urbano (Rutgers-Newark, 2019–2020 LSAMP)
16. Ashley Moraski (Rutgers-Newark, 2018–2020)
15. Shahida Kamal (Rutgers-Newark, 2019)
14. Katherine Vazquez (Rutgers-Newark, 2018–2019 LSAMP)
13. Kendall Sweeney (Rutgers-Newark, 2018–2019)
12. Brianna Thai (AMNH. NSF SRMP, Brooklyn Technical High School, Fall 2015–Spring 2016)
11. Cherena Bradley (AMNH. NSF SRMP, Health Professions High School, Fall 2015–Spring 2016)
10. Aja C. Marcato (AMNH. MS Long Island University, LIU Post, Summer–Fall 2014)
9. Maggie O’Brien* (AMNH. NSF REU, Manhattan College, Summer 2014–Spring 2015)
8. Lauren Frankel (AMNH. High School Intern, Bergen County Academies, Fall 2014–Spring 2015)
7. Tali Magori (AMNH. Tel Aviv University PhD visiting scientist, Fall 2014)
6. Isabel Gomez (AMNH. Undergraduate Intern, Harvard University, Summer 2014)
5. Melina G. Marte* (FLMNH. BS University of Florida, Fall 2010–Spring 2013)
4. Brandi Jo Petronio (FLMNH. BS University of Florida, Spring–Fall 2012)
3. Kristin C. Magrini­­­ (FLMNH. BS University of Florida, Fall 2011–Spring 2012)
2. Sergio C. Gonzalez* (FLMNH. BS University of Florida, Spring–Fall 2009)
1. Lisa N. Barrow* (FLMNH. BS University of Florida, Spring–Summer 2009)

We have terrific collaborations with:

Nancy Albury (National Museum of the Bahamas)
Liliana Dávalos (Stony Brook University)
Luis Díaz (Museo Nacional de Historial Natural de Cuba)
Janet Franklin (University of California, Riverside)
Marcelo Gehara (American Museum of Natural History)
Carlos A. Mancina (Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática de Cuba)
Armando Rodríguez-Durán (Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico)
​Sara Ruane (Field Museum of Natural History)
Gilberto Silva Taboada (Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Cuba)
Nancy B. Simmons (American Museum of Natural History)
Brian T. Smith (American Museum of Natural History)
David W. Steadman (Florida Museum of Natural History)
Scott  Tremor (San Diego Natural History Museum)
Jessica L. Ware (American Museum of Natural History)