The Melin lab is fully committed to the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and supports the NSERC Dimensions charter. We aim to value, support, promote and accommodate scholars from diverse backgrounds, including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities or racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2+ communities, and seek to advanced training of members from primate habitat countries. We strongly encourage applications from members of these groups and others, and are committed to a research community where everyone can thrive.
2021 Melin lab bonspiel event
Dr. Amanda D. Melin, PI
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR, TIER II
ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY & MEDICAL GENETICS
University of Calgary
Earth Sciences 710D (main campus)
HMRB 223 (Foothills campus)
403-210-7579 (main campus)
403-210-6640 (Foothills campus)
PhD, Biological Anthropology; Department of Anthropology; University of Calgary, Canada (2011)
Master of Arts, Primatology; Department of Anthropology; University of Calgary, Canada (2006)
Bachelor of Science, Zoology; Department of Biological Sciences; University of Calgary, Canada (2003)
Dr. Gwen Duytschaever
LAB MANAGER
Foothills Campus, HMRB 202 (lab), 223 (office)
gwen.duytschaever2@ucalgary.ca
403-210-6875 (office)
403-220-8862 (lab)
PhD Biotechnology, Ghent University, Belgium (2012)
MA Biology, Ghent University, Belgium (2007)
BSc Biology, Ghent University, Belgium (2005)
Dr. Patrícia R. Ströher
RESEARCH COORDINATOR
Acting Lab Manager (2020-2021)
403-220-8862 (lab)
PhD Biological Sciences (Phylogeography), Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil (2017)
Msc Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil (2013)
BSc Biology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil (2010)
Saul Cheves
FIELD PROJECT MANAGER
Santa Rosa National Park, ACG, La Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
506 8668 8857
Saul Cheves CV
Project manager, White-faced capuchin project, Santa Rosa National Park (2018 - present)
Research assistant, White-faced capuchin project, Santa Rosa National Park (2011-2017)
Postdoctoral Scholars
Dr. Arthur G. Fernandes
ophthalmology, disease progression, medical genetics, non-human primates
PhD, Visual Sciences and Ophthalmology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil (2020)
MPH, Epidemiology, Tulane University, USA (2016)
BSc, Biology, University of São Paulo, Brazil (2020)
BSc, Ophthalmic Technology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil (2008)
Dr. Alice C. Poirier
primate sensory ecology, chemical communication, behavioral ecology
Website: alicepoirier.github.io
PhD, Behavioral Ecology, Anglia Ruskin University, UK (2019)
MSc, Biodiversity Ecology Evolution, University of Montpellier, France (2010)
BSc, Cell Biology & Physiology, University of Bordeaux, France (2008)
PhD Students
Laís Moreira
primate sensory ecology, sociosexual communication, colouration, New World primates
M.A. Psychobiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil (2013)
B.A. Biology, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil (2010)
Shasta Webb
primate reproductive ecology, foraging behaviour, gut microbiome
Earth Sciences 720
shasta.webb@ucalgary.ca
Twitter: @webbshasta
Website: www.shastawebb.com
M.A. Biological Anthropology, University of Calgary (2017)
B.A. Anthropology, Macalester College (2013)
Allegra DePasquale
sensory ecology, community ecology, nutritional ecology, animal-plant mutualisms, seed dispersal
allegra.depasquale@ucalgary.ca
M.A. Biological Anthropology, University of Calgary (2021)
B.A. Zoology and Conservation, City University of New York Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies (2017)
Megan C Henriquez
Co-advised with Dr. Larissa Swedell. Based at CUNY (City University of New York).
Primate ecology, parasite transmission, disease ecology, movement ecology
mhenriquez1@gradcenter.cuny.edu
B.S. in Biology and Anthropology from Fordham University (2014)
Nelle Kulick
Co-advised with Dr. Katharine Jack. Based at Tulane University.
Chemical communication, social behavior, reproductive strategies
dkulick1@tulane.edu
Nelle Kulick CV
BS Environmental Biology and Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA (2020)
Silvia Carboni
Evolutionary biology, primate reproductive strategies, chemical communication
MRes Primate Biology, Behaviour and Communication, University of Roehampton (London, UK - 2020)
MSc Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Università degli Studi di Milano (Milan, Italy - 2018)
BSc Biological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano (Milan, Italy - 2016)
MA/MSc Students
Megan Mah
sensory and foraging ecology, biology of aging, behavioural ecology, primate conservation
B.Sc. Zoology and Anthropology (Honours) First Class, University of Calgary (2018)
Undergraduate Students
Julia Casorso
conservation biology, animal behaviour, evolutionary anthropology
HONOURS STUDENT
B.Sc. in Biological Anthropology, University of Calgary (2021)
B.Sc. in Ecology, University of Calgary (2021)
Jessica Churcher
Parasitology, Primatology, Information Technology
B.Sc. in Biological Anthropology, University of Calgary (2022-Present)
B.Sc. in Zoology, University of Calgary (2022-Present)
Joelle Hass
Veterinary parasitology, behavioural ecology, biological anthropology, primatology
B.Sc. in Biological Anthropology, University of Calgary, 2022-Present
Bachelor of Nursing with Distinction, University of Calgary (2019)
Research Technicians
Ronald Lopez
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Santa Rosa National Park, ACG, La Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Ronald Lopez CV
Research assistant, White-faced capuchin project, Santa Rosa National Park (2017 - present)
Suheidy Romero Morales
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Santa Rosa National Park, ACG, La Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
506 8550 9096
Suheidy Romero Morales CV
Research assistant, White-faced capuchin project, Santa Rosa National Park (2018 - present)
Research assistant (2011-2017)
Licenciatura en Mediación Pedagógica, Universidad Técnica Nacional, sede Liberia, Costa Rica (2020)
Bachillerato Universitario en Gestión Ecoturística, Universidad Técnica Nacional, sede Liberia, Costa Rica (2017)
Dr. Raquel Hernández Rojas
Veterinary, Medicine, One Health, Public Health, Wildlife Research
VETERINARIAN RESEARCH INTERN
Kids Saving the Rainforest Rescue Center, Quepos, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
raquel.hernandez.rojas@est.una.ac.cr
506 8394 7819
Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS): Fourth semester (present)
Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Cum laude (With Honours), National University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica (2022)
Middle Technician in Computer Informatics and Networks, Professional Technical High School of La Fortuna de Bagaces, Costa Rica (2013)
Dr. Valeria Villero Núñez
Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife medicine, Clinical pathology, Cytology, Oncology
VETERINARIAN RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Manuel Antonio, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
valeria.villero@gmail.com
506 8708 0271
Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM), National University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica (2022)
Hadjira Hamou
Genetics, immunology, host parasite interactions.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
MSc, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Montpellier, France (2017)
BSc, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Montpellier, France (2015)
BSc, Genetics, University of Science and Technology of Oran, Algeria (2014).
Past Lab Members
Colin MacFarland (MSc student)
host parasite interactions, disease ecology, gut microbiome,
CURRENT POSITION: Lab scientist for AeroFodder
Dr. Rachel Petersen
primate mate choice, sexual selection, MHC genetics
CURRENT POSITION: Postdoctoral researcher at Vanderbilt University
Linh Lam
comparative genomics, functional genomics, antibiotic resistance
CURRENT POSITION: Laboratory Scientist at Alberta Precision Laboratories
Dr. Haley Glass
molecular adaptation, toxin evolution, ecology of amphibians
CURRENT POSITION: Sustainability Specialist at Gibson Energy
Dr. Rachel Munds
sensory ecology, primate evolution, nocturnal primates
CURRENT POSITION: Postdoctoral researcher at University of South Florida
Dr. Mareike Janiak
comparative genomics, digestive & dietary adaptations, molecular ecology
CURRENT POSITION: Postdoctoral Consultant, Department of Anthropology, New York University
Dr. Carrie Veilleux
primate sensory ecology, genomics, foraging behaviour
CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Professor, Midwestern University
(www.carriecveilleux.com)
Dr. Joseph Orkin
comparative genomics, gut microbiome, conservation genetics
CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Professor, University of Montreal
Dr. Eva Garrett
primate evolution, sensory ecology
CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Boston University
Rachel Williamson (MA student)
foraging ecology, niche divergence, primate behaviour
CURRENT POSITION: Field Service Technician at SCIEX
Jaclyn Anderson (BSc Honors Student)
primate genomics, gut microbiome, and fertility
CURRENT POSITION: Cumming School of Medicine, Master of Health Sciences candidate
Jia Tang (Undergraduate honours student)
sensory ecology of small mammals
CURRENT POSITION: University of Alberta, Doctor of dental surgery candidate
David Yang (Undergraduate scholar)
molecular ecology and primate genomics
CURRENT POSITION: Cumming School of Medicine, Master of Health Sciences candidate
Swellan Pinto
molecular ecology, comparative genetics, ethanol metabolism, primate evolution
swellan.pinto@ucalgary.ca
CURRENT POSITION: CIEE English teacher
Amanda Luzardo
Sensory and foraging ecology, conservation biology
CURRENT POSITION: University of Lethbridge, Master of Science candidate
