Latest update - 22 January, 2026
Current members
NOTE: Team members are ordered alphabetically
Ethan Isaac, Ph.D student – I was raised in Daytona Beach Florida where I grew a passion for wildlife and biology. After turning 18 I enlisted in the US Air Force and served for five years in Special Warfare as a Tactical Air Control Party operator. During this time, I had two kids, my daughter Elsa and my son Avi. After my service I decided to peruse higher education where I earned my BS in biology and a minor in chemistry here at UNCG! For fun I lift heavy, play outside with my kids, or play inside with my kids!
Luc Lowry, Undergraduate researcher – Currently, I am an undergraduate student majoring in biology, with minors in chemistry and statistics. I plan to continue my education and pursue a career in ecology research. I enjoy learning about different topics in biology and math. Additionally, I have always had a strong interest in animals and nature, so I decided to pursue a career in these fields. In this lab, I aim to establish a solid foundation in research techniques and statistical analysis, enabling me to navigate graduate school and future career endeavors with greater ease. I am a fan of cats, hiking, and watching TV.
Jonah Piscitelli, Master student – I grew up in the wooded outer fringe of Boston’s suburbs, next door to an Audubon wildlife sanctuary. I have always loved being in nature, but my academic interest only formed in my senior year as an undergraduate, when I took an ecology course and first glimpsed the order in the wilderness. Before coming to Greensboro, I held fieldwork and research jobs in Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Nevada. I am generally interested in big-picture ecological questions. Outside of school and work, I enjoy board games, cooking, and hiking.
Dr. Akira Terui, PI – I’m interested in spatial ecology in general. My research career started at the University of Tokyo where I studied metapopulation structure of the endangered freshwater mussel Margaritifera laevis. After obtaining Ph.D., my research interests expanded. Thus far, I studied freshwater mussels, fish, aquatic and terrestrial insects, plants, and seabirds in collaboration with excellent researchers across the globe. While my research spans across multiple taxa, all tied with a common thread - space. More recently, I started using mathematical approaches and try to integrate theoretical and field research. I’m a lover of streams, tennis, and programming in R. Small gardening became one of my hobbies during quarantine.
Alumni