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Dr. Claus Holzapfel

Associate Professor

Fusion Ecology: as an ecologist I am fascinated by the intriguing ways of how species interact with each other. Within that topic I address questions spanning community, population and evolutionary


Wren Logan (she/her/hers)

Ph.D. candidate (since fall 2023)

I am a PhD student in the Holzapfel lab studying the community ecology of migratory birds which stopover in urban areas. I’m particularly interested in what ecological and anthropogenic factors


Shang Xu

M.Sc. 2024

Shang is keenly interested in understanding the human causes of environmental changes, focusing on both macro and micro aspects, particularly concerning migrating birds. She earned her Bachelor of Engineering degree



Jason Peralta (REU, William Patterson University)

I’m a senior at William Paterson University studying Environmental Sustainability with three minors in public health, anthropology, and social justice. I’m a student in the summer 2024 REU program and


Alejandra Hernandez (REU, Passaic County Community College)

  Hi, my name is Alejandra Hernandez and I am in the REU program working on a project which involves understanding why migratory birds utilize urban green spaces as stopover



Dr. Anthony Cullen

Ph.D. (2014-2018); currently Supervisory PPQ Officer at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Tony’s dissertation research explored the dispersal strategies of two invasive viburnum shrubs throughout New Jersey, the New York Metropolitan area, and the greater Philadelphia area. His two motivating questions were as follows: are


Dr. Kathleen Farley

Ph.D., currently director of Teaneck Creek Conservancy

Kathleen investigates how degraded habitats influence animal behavior and populations using the American Woodcock. Her research system includes the  brownfields and natural early successional habitats along an urbanizing gradient in


Xiang Lin

Ph.D. candidate, Teaching Assistant

Xiang is interested in ecological succession of plant communities under different environmental stresses, especially soil contamination. He uses GIS technology to trace plant transitions over time and build models to