Current lab members
Carolina Baruzzi
Principal Investigator
Carolina is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, and she is based at the North Florida Research and Education Center.
Her research investigates community-level interactions and their effects on ecosystem processes. Her research strived to answer applied questions to improve wildlife management and conservation efforts.
Her extension work aims at promoting land management and restoration practices across Florida.
carolina.baruzzi@ufl.edu | GoogleScholar | ResearchGate
Brandon McDonald
Biological Scientist
Originally from upstate New York, Brandon grew up in North Carolina and graduated in Zoology from North Carolina State University. During his undergraduate degree, Brandon assisted in several camera trap research projects at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. He then completed his Master’s degree in the Department of Wildlife Ecology at UF.
Much of his research experience has centered around endangered species conservation, and invasive species control. Currently, he is engaged in a project studying the survival and reproduction of wild turkeys in south-central Florida. In his spare time, Brandon enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring natural areas. Recently, he has also started to experiment with photography.
Annesha Lahiri
Ph.D. Student
Annesha is exploring intersections of science communication and ecology. Her dissertation focuses on drivers of social media engagement, and how these can be affected by ecological principles. She also researches characteristics driving the success of science-related podcasts, aiming to empower others in enhancing science communication.
Beyond academia, you might find her with binoculars in hand birdwatching, or taking photos of wildlife. She aspire to contribute to a world where science communication and ecological awareness go hand in hand, fostering appreciation for the biodiversity of our planet.
Kathleen Carey
M.Sc. Student
Kathleen grew up in Delaware and graduated with a dual B.Sc. in Wildlife Biology and Wildlife and Fisheries Management from Unity College. Before joining the lab, Kathleen researched small mammals and birds as a wildlife technician for four years.
She started her M.Sc. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in the fall of 2023. Her research is focused on the interactions between small mammals and restoration practices in longleaf pine savannas. She will be estimating the density of small mammals, patterns of microbial dispersal, and seed predation generated by small mammals across a gradient of forest ages undergoing restoration.
Honorary lab members
Charlotte Nowak
Science Communicator
Charlotte is a science communicator with a deep passion for wildlife and conservation. Her mission is to bridge the gap between citizen and science through the power of informative design. She has been working with the lab making scientific illustrations and producing Fire University, a fire podcast dedicated to deliver the latest fire science.
Charlotte is a firm believer in the transformative impact of knowledge, and she strives to make complex scientific concepts accessible, engaging, and visually compelling to viewers.
Anna Maria Secci
M.Sc. Student
Anna Maria is an international student at the University of Sassari, where she studies Wildlife Management and Conservation.
She came to Florida to work on a project using camera traps to monitor Gopher tortoise burrows in old-growth longleaf pine savanna forest and old field in North Florida. With her thesis, she aims to assess presence and abundance of wildlife species inhabiting or frequenting Gopher tortoise burrows based on tortoise health status.
Before her Master’s, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science and Technology, where she focused her studies in entomology and insect breeding.