Jessica is an associate professor and curator of mammals at Texas A&M University. Jessica earned her PhD from Louisiana State University and she is broadly interested in evolutionary biology with a focus on systematics, population genetics, and coevolutionary associations between distantly related organisms, particularly mammals and their parasites. In general, her research relies on field work and Museum specimens, and she uses molecular and morphological data from recently collected and ancient specimens to help elucidate broad evolutionary processes operating in distantly related taxa. Learn more about Jessica here: https://www.jessicalight.org/

Dr. Jessica Light

Cathy is a Professor of Biology at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she has taught since 2004. Mentored by Kenneth T. Wilkins, Cathy was the first student to complete a PhD in Biology at Baylor University; her dissertation was titled “Response of Small Mammals in Native Tallgrass Prairie to an Invasive Species, Red Imported Fire Ants.” She is most interested in behavioral ecology, especially in mammals and birds. Cathy teaches several field courses including Ornithology, Plant Taxonomy, and Natural History Expedition (which includes a 10-day trip to the Big Bend region of Texas). She also leads the freshman Biology day trip to Colorado Bend State park every semester. Most of her students are pre-health professions majors; however, she succeeds in developing their appreciation of the biodiversity in the natural world that exists outside of a clinical setting.

Dr. Cathy Early

Lisa is the production editor and publications research associate at the Texas Tech Natural Sciences Research Laboratory. She is responsible for managing the publication of the NSRL Occasional Papers and Special Publications.

Lisa Bradley

Marcy works for the CDC in Atlanta where she manages the sample archives for long term storage and compliance.

Marcia Revelez

Michelle is a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. Her research interests lie in mammalian population genetics and molecular systematics. She is interested in using genetic markers to address conservation and evolutionary questions, with most of her current research focusing on comparative hybrid zone studies and the identification of cryptic species. She also is interested in genomic drivers of the speciation process and local adaptations. She got her PhD from Texas Tech University.

Dr. Michelle Haynie