The people behind the science
We are excited to build a vibrant research team at Wesleyan! Here are the bios of our current team members.
Meet the Team
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Dr. Ni Y. Feng
I am an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department and the Neuroscience and Behavior Program. My passions include non-model organisms, neurobiology, hormones, and behavior. When not in lab, I love watching birds and exploring the outdoors with my family.
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Alex Porczak
Alex is a PhD student in Biology.
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Sebin Park
Sebin park is a PhD student in Biology.
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Rose Margolies
Biology and Science & Technology Studies double major | Class of 2026
I am an undergraduate student researcher interested in animal behavior.
I love photography, traveling, and museums. I am involved in Wesleyan Rho Epsilon Pi Women’s Mentoring Society, Wesleyan Democrats, and WesPhoto Club.
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Zoe Kuhn
Biology and Neuroscience and Behavior double major | Class of 2026 | McNair Scholar
I am an undergraduate researcher interested in animal behavior and wildlife management. I am passionate about endangered species conservation and learning how to use an integrative approach to understand an animal's behavior in the wild in order to help a species overall. My goal is to pursue higher education and a PhD.
Outside of the lab, my passions are swimming and being outdoors in nature. I love to go on hikes with friends and traveling to new places on family vacations. A fun fact about myself is that I love everything relating to animals but my favorite animal is undoubtedly a panda!
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Lorraine Hillgen-Santa
Class of 2028
I am a prospective neuroscience and behavior major. My research interests include animal behavior and physiology. I graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall’s Science Research Program. I have also worked at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo for four years and spent two years researching the Elephant-Nose fish.
In my free time I like to write plays and shoot short films. I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and I have played squash for almost a decade. I love to travel and spend time with friends and family.
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Brooke Goodwin
Class of 2026
Double major in Biology and Neuroscience & Behavior, Chemistry Minor.
I am an undergraduate researcher interested in exploring neural networks, hormones, and their impact on animal behavior as well as the neuromuscular system.
My passions outside of the lab include playing soccer, traveling with friends and family, hiking, snowboarding, and exploring various outdoor activities.
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Simbo Bero
Class of 2028
I am a prospective biology student with a passion for animal behavior, particularly how behavioral adaptations are shaped by neuroscience, molecular biology, genomics, and evolution.
Outside of research, I enjoy traveling with family and friends, playing pickleball, planning social gatherings, and exploring nature's scenery.
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Ali Landa
Class of 2026
Biology Major
Outside of research, Ali is on the women’s volleyball team, and is interested in attending veterinary school.
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Brett Beaman
Double major in Biology and Science & Technology Studies, Chemistry Minor | Class of 2026
I am an undergraduate student whose academic interests include biology, technology, medicine, and computer science. Passionate about animal health, my goal is to become a veterinarian.
Beyond the classroom, I row for the Wesleyan Men’s Crew team and enjoy biking, running, and swimming. After graduation, I plan to attend veterinary school and continue rowing or start coaching
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Douglas Rabin
Class of 2026
Double major in Neuroscience & Behavior and Psychology, Minor in Chemistry
I am an undergraduate researcher with an interest in neurodegenerative disorders and animal behavior. My goals are to go to medical school and pursue a career in medical research or become a physician. Outside of the lab, I am a member of the men's lacrosse team, and I enjoy playing and watching sports.
Lab Alumni
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Evie Curtis
Student Researcher, Class of 2024
Quantitative Analysis Center Fellow, Summer 2023
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Derek Jann
Student Researcher, Class of 2024
Summer Research Fellow, 2023
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Bri Taylor
Student Researcher, Class of 2024
Summer Research fellow, 2023
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Bavly Halaka '24
Student researcher, Class of 2024.
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Molly Fung
Student researcher, Summer 2023
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Areen Sathe
High School fellow, Summer 2023
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Hudson Wang
Neuroscience & Behavior and College of Letters double major | Class of 2026
Summer research fellow, 2024
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Silvia Maxwell
Neuroscience Major, Religion Minor | Class of 2024
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Brianna Mark
BA/MA Student Class of 2025
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Bianca Gonya
Neuroscience & Behavior, Psychology double major | Class of 2025
Student Researcher Fall ‘24-Spring ‘25
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Imani Ochieng
Neuroscience & Behavior | Class of 2025
Student Researcher Fall ‘24-Spring ‘25