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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. |
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1729-1153Student research at the SLaBB: Rutgers – Newark
Post-doctoral Scholars
Dr. Camilo Calderón Acevedo – Camilo is interested in mammal evolution with emphasis in the Neotropics. His research focuses on Andean bat clades, studying their morphological variation and phylogenetics. 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 and biogeography to understand mammal evolution. Check Camilo's personal web for more.
Dr. Karen Olson – .
Graduate Students
Amani Abdelsalam –
Pedro I. Mônico –
Undergraduate Researchers
Xitlaly Franquez (Pitzer College, RU-N Summer REU 2021) –
Brianna Rosania –
Abhi Salunia –
Research Associates
Dr. Bruna da Silva Fonseca – Bruna is interested in evolution, phylogeography, & systematics of Neotropical bats.
Dr. Camilo Calderón Acevedo – Camilo is interested in mammal evolution with emphasis in the Neotropics. His research focuses on Andean bat clades, studying their morphological variation and phylogenetics. 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 and biogeography to understand mammal evolution. Check Camilo's personal web for more.
Dr. Karen Olson – .
Graduate Students
Amani Abdelsalam –
Pedro I. Mônico –
Undergraduate Researchers
Xitlaly Franquez (Pitzer College, RU-N Summer REU 2021) –
Brianna Rosania –
Abhi Salunia –
Research Associates
Dr. Bruna da Silva Fonseca – Bruna is interested in evolution, phylogeography, & systematics of Neotropical bats.
Interested in our studies?
If you are interested in biogeography, ecological niche modeling, paleontology, phylogeography, and systematics of bats, or other mammals, I am always happy to have 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 apply:
If you are interested in biogeography, ecological niche modeling, paleontology, phylogeography, and systematics of bats, or other mammals, I am always happy to have 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 apply:
- 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.
- 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.
Past members at RU, AMNH, and FLMNH (* = published work)
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)
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)
Frank T. Burbkrink (American Museum of Natural History)
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)
C. Miguel Pinto (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History)
Chris Raxworthy (American Museum of Natural History)
Armando Rodríguez-Durán (Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico)
Sara Ruane (Rutgers University)
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)
Jessica L. Ware (Rutgers University)
Frank T. Burbkrink (American Museum of Natural History)
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)
C. Miguel Pinto (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History)
Chris Raxworthy (American Museum of Natural History)
Armando Rodríguez-Durán (Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico)
Sara Ruane (Rutgers University)
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)
Jessica L. Ware (Rutgers University)
