Our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
We are a group of dedicated conservation biologists working on creative, science-based solutions to biodiversity conservation challenges. We support one another, collaborate on group projects, and have a lot of fun.
Prospective Students interested in working with Dr. Kross at the University of Canterbury should check out this page.

Kelly Herrmann
Masters student @ University of Canterbury
Kelly is interested in animal behaviour and welfare. For her Master's research, she is investigating if and how visitors at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve impact the overall welfare of four primate species.

Sara Kross, PhD
Senior Lecturer @ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha| The University of Canterbury.
Sara is a conservation biologist interested in human-modified landscapes, ecosystem services, human-wildlife conflicts, and predator-prey dynamics.

Hailey Arango
Masters student @ Columbia University
Hailey is studying microplastic consumption in olive ridley sea turtles.

Myles Davis
Masters student @ Columbia University
I am broadly interested in how wildlife behave in human-dominated landscapes. Through my investigations I seek to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, support conservation efforts, and promote citizen science and environmental stewardship.

Jordan Hollinshead
Masters student @ University of Canterbury
Jordan is interested in ecological relationships and how they influence conservation efforts and agricultural practices in New Zealand. Her current Master’s research focuses on understanding the impact of birds in New Zealand kiwifruit orchards.

Daniel Kirsch
Masters student @ Columbia University
Danny is working with the Oakland Zoo to understand how the presence of an animal ambassador changes visitor learning at an exhibit about wildlife trade.

Peter Lichtenthal
Masters student @ Columbia University
Peter's project seeks to understand whether installing artificial perches in farm fields changes the hunting patterns of birds.

Fergus Lowen
Masters student @ University of Canterbury
Fergus is interested in conservation biology and ecology that includes responses to environmental changes and human-wildlife interactions/services with a specific focus on vertebrates.

Emily Phillips
PhD student @ UC Davis
Emily is studying barn owl nesting ecology, growth rates, diet, and other aspects of their ecology in intensive farmland.

Laura Plimpton
PhD student @ Columbia
Laura is interested in the effect of anthropogenic drivers, specifically related to land conversion and habitat fragmentation, on spillover (and spillback) of zoonoses.

Eric Schertler
Masters student @ Columbia University
Eric is seeking to understand how overwintering waterfowl utilize ponds and small lakes along an urban-suburban gradient in the New York City area.
Lab Alumni & Affiliates

Hannah Dancy
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
Columbia Climate School

Sarah Trabue
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
Wildlife Conservation Society

Olivia Card
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
Lab Manager @ Cleveland Clinic Lerner Institute

Katherine Chen
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
NYC Audubon

Roni Friedman
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
TBA!

Jason Hagani
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
Data Analyst/Wildlife Biologist @ Suisun Resource Conservation District

Breanna Jordan
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
PhD student @ Harvard University

Michael Levin
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia & Current lab affiliate
PhD student @ Columbia

Katie Maffett
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
Lab Manager @ Texas A&M

Breanna Martinico
Kross Lab:
Current:
BSc and PhD @ UC Davis
Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor for UCANR

Andie Muñoz
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
PhD student @ VIMS

Anna Soccorsi
Kross Lab:
Current:
Masters student @ Columbia
TBA!