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.
Veronica Villa
Veronica is a Biology major. She is currently working on a project on demographic buffering, coordinating researchers and datasets from around the world.
Jonathon Stasiek
Jonathon is a Biology major in a pre-veterinary track. Jonathon's interests include the microbial flora of captive reptiles and antimicrobial stewardship in herpetological medicine. He plans to complete research regarding the immunological function of wild turtles. Outside of school and work, Jonathon enjoys spending time with his dog, Rigsby, taking care of his houseplants, and reading.
Kimberly Rice
Kim is a biology student who loves exploring and learning about nature and ecology. Her main academic interests lie in the microbial ecology of the gut and the ways in which we can better understand health and disease by studying the symbiotic relationships that occur there. When not studying, Kim loves to spend time with her family, practice yoga, and cook.
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 art of taxidermy and helping to expand the NEIU Biology research collection. He loves to watch movies, hang out with his little dog, and watch the Sidemen on 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.
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
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.