Current lab members

Meet the team (i.e. lab nestlings)!

Maddie Brown (she/her) ‘28

I am a sophomore and an intended pre-veterinary chemistry major. In the future, I hope to work in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. I am particularly interested in avian care and research. In Dr. Baran's lab, I am researching nestling begging behavior between two species. 

Iasa Hatem (she/her), '26 

I am a senior studying biology and neuroscience. I am deeply interested in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and am currently studying song learning development in cross-fostered and normally-reared zebra and society finches.

Mario Martinez Estrada (he/him/his)  ‘27

I am a rising junior at Davidson College, studying Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. I am particularly interested in molecular neuroscience, especially how molecular changes drive behavior under varying conditions. In the Baran Lab, I focus on quantifying neuroplasticity- and stress-related gene expression in the AMV following social isolation.

Fatima Mukasa (she/her) '28

I am a rising sophomore at Davidson College from Uganda and Kenya, majoring in Biology and Film. I am interested in biotechnology more specifically the molecular pathways of why things are the way they are. I am working for Dr. Baran as a RISE research student investigating the expression of clotting factor genes in the liver.

Vincent Mullis (he/him), ‘26

I am a senior biology major with a focus in genetics and neuroscience. I am interested in the interplay between genetics and neuroendocrinology and am currently researching gene expression and epigenetic factors of sexual differentiation in the brain of chicken embryos.

Jayme Rodriguez (she/her) ‘26

I am a senior at Davidson College and majoring in Biology. Specifically, I am fascinated by the world of animal behavior and how that is impacted and changed by human influence. Currently, I am researching the extent of bird-window collisions on Davidson campus.

Aiyanna Siew (she/her) ‘28

I am a sophomore with an intended major in Biology on the pre-vet track. I am specifically interested in wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary medicine. In Dr. Baran's Lab, I am currently working as a RISE student! 

Aileen Valencia (she/her), ‘26

I am a pre-vet biology major. I am interested in wildlife conservation and veterinary research. In Dr.Baran’s lab I am researching the species differences in stress physiology.

 

Meet the alumni (i.e. lab fledglings)!

Naima Charles (she/her), ‘27

Riley Dodd (she/her), ‘25

Rohan Doddavaram (he/him), ‘27

Allison Kim (she/her), ‘27

Mallie Roley (she/her), ‘25

Alex Meyers (she/her), ‘25