Dr. Beth Reinke
I am an evolutionary ecologist and associate professor at Northeastern Illinois University. My lab primarily studies animal coloration using quantitative and experimental methods, and uses long-term studies to study senescence. However, I am open to any interesting project involving wildlife, evolution, or physiology.
Please email me if you’re interested or have questions about doing research.
Sara Crow
Sara is a Masters student working on her thesis on painted turtles (Chrysemys picta). Sara completed her B.S. in Biology at Northeastern Illinois University where she researched epizoic algae found on two captive snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii and Chelydra serpentina).
Caroline Byrne
Caroline is a Biology major with an interest in animal behavior. She hopes to continue to study turtle sociality and eventually continue to graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys baking and hanging out with her two dogs. Last summer Caroline’s project focused on whether or not turtles have a preference for a familiar or unfamiliar turtle.
Rafael Sazo
Rafael is an undergraduate student majoring in Biology. His main goal is to become a physician specialized in either cardiology or oncology. He is learning the science of study skins, the art of taxidermy, and is helping to expand the NEIU Biology research collection. He loves to watch movies, hang out with his little dog, and watch the Sidemen in his free time.
Cesilia Aguilar
Cesilia is an undergraduate majoring in Biology with a deep interest in animal science. She hopes to continue her studies in graduate school on animal behavior. Additionally, in her spare time, she enjoys hiking and swimming along with the occasional horror movie critiquing.
Sarita Akwa-Philbin
Sarita is an undergraduate majoring in Biology, hoping to become an ornithologist. She is planning to go to graduate school. Sarita likes hanging out with friends, watching shows, and traveling.
Reinke Lab Spring Break 2024 Outing: Kimberly Rice, Rafael Sazo, Caroline Byrne, and Cesilia Aguilar (left to right) don waders to check duck traps on the Mississippi River at Kibbe Biological Station, visiting researchers from Northern Illinois University.
Reinke Lab Meeting in Spring 2023. From left to right: Al Mayhugh, Kim Rice, Veronica Villa, Caroline Byrne, Paige Boban, and Sara Crow. Over Zoom: Haider Mehdi and Jonathon Stasiek.
Lab Alumni
Jonathon Stasiek: Class of 2024. Jonathon is now a veterinary student at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Kim Rice: Class of 2024. Kim is a microbiologist for World BioProducts.
Paige Boban: Class of 2022. Paige is now a biologist for APHIS in Illinois.
Haider Mehdi: Class of 2022. Haider is now a postbaccalaureate fellow for the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Georgina Jaimes: Class of 2021. Georgina is now a STEM educator for Chicago Public Schools.
Kelsey Littrell: Class of 2021. Kelsey just completed a Masters in Museum Studies program at University College London.
Erik Maki: Class of 2021. Erik is getting his PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at George Mason University in the Vertebrate Ecology and Evolution Group.