Dr. Matthew Mauntel
President (2024), Career Development Chair (2023)
Matthew Mauntel is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Mathematics at UNH. He is interested in investigating student thinking surrounding technology and mathematics with a focus on game-based learning and the use of applets with a secondary focus on linear algebra and qualitative meta-synthesis. He obtained his PhD from Florida State University and his BS from the University of Notre Dame. When not doing researcher, Matthew enjoys chasing waterfalls, playing video games, cooking, and spending time with cat - Euler.
Dr. Cristhian Teixeira
Career Development Chair (2023-2024)
Cristhian hails from Brazil and has a background in Agriculture, holding a PhD in Agronomy. He started his professional career as a field Agronomist and has gradually developed skills and competencies in both practical and theoretical aspects of Agronomy and Ecology. Currently, as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of New Hampshire, his particular research interest is in carbon dynamics and microbial ecology within threatened natural ecosystems and agroecosystems. However, his true passions are human development and helping people to achieve their best performance. Cristhian is also a fan of soccer and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner.
Dr. Jenna Hare
Communications Chair (2023-2024)
Dr. Jenna Hare is a postdoctoral research associate at the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping. Her research interests lie at the intersection of the fields of physical oceanography and underwater acoustics. Her current project focuses on measuring the temporal change in sound scattering from the seafloor and its relationship with environmental variability. In her free time, she enjoys training in various martial arts as well as exploring the great outdoors.
Dr. Deirdre Colburn
Research Advisory Council Representative (2024)
Deirdre Colburn is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Crimes against Children Research Center (CCRC). She completed her PhD in Sociology, with a concentration in Health & Illness, at UNH. At the CCRC, she is involved in several research projects at the intersection of victimization, well-being, help-seeking, and technology. She is primarily a quantitative researcher and looks forward to opportunities to expand her data analysis skills. When not doing research, Deirdre enjoys traveling, spending time outside (on or near the water) and has recently ventured into the world of yoga and Pilates!
Dr. Riyanka Roy Chowdhury
Social Events Chair (2024)
Riyanka Roy Chowdhury is a postdoctoral research associate at the Ocean Process Analysis Laboratory, University of New Hampshire. She earned her Ph.D. in oceanography from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India, in 2022. Her research focuses on ocean modeling to explore biogeochemical processes and air-sea gas exchange on a global scale, incorporating machine learning techniques and the Community Earth System Model (CESM). Beyond her academic work, Riyanka has a passion for meeting new people, discovering new places, and embracing diverse experiences. In her leisure time, she enjoys cooking, painting, swimming, kayaking, sailing, and spending time with dogs.
Riyanka.RoyChowdhury@unh.edu
Dr. Houssam Sabri
Responsible Conduct of Research Representative (2024)
Houssam Sabri is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UNH. He completed his Ph.D. in Physics at the Paris-Saclay University in 2023. His thesis was on the study of magnetic topological defects in multiferroic materials, and his current research project focuses on theoretical studies of magnetic transport properties in the presence of topological defects, novel magnetic phases (altermagnetism, noncollinear magnetism…), and polar metals. Houssam enjoys hiking and playing sports (soccer and basketball) and is highly interested in ensuring science practice within the norms and ethical principles.
Dr. Mike Alvarez
Former Executive Committee Diversity Chair (2020-2021)
Mike Alvarez is Postdoctoral Diversity and Innovation Scholar in the Department of Communication. Broadly speaking, his research examines communication about suicide and end of life in interpersonal and mediated contexts. He is the author of the forthcoming book, The Paradox of Suicide and Creativity, and has completed a memoir, The Color of Dusk. In his spare time, Mike enjoys reading sci-fi and transgressive queer literature, playing survival horror video games, and playing with his two newly adopted kittens.
Dr. Ashley Bulseco
Research Advisory Council Representative (2024)
Ashley Bulseco is a Postdoctoral Diversity and Innovation Scholar in the Department of Biological Sciences and Natural Resources and the Environment. Her research focuses on understanding the microbial response to human-driven disturbances in wetland, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. She is particularly interested in whether shifts in the microbial community translate to changes in ecosystem function, especially in relation to carbon and nitrogen cycling. Ashley’s work often takes a multi-faceted approach to address these questions, applying a range of interdisciplinary techniques that combine field work, controlled laboratory experiments, biogeochemical measurements, sequencing, and bioinformatics. Prior to coming to UNH, she taught Environmental Science and Oceanography at the high school level and will continue to explore her passion for innovative and inclusive pedagogical practices in STEM.
Dr. Sophia Burke
Former Research Council Representative (2021-2023)
Dr. Sophia Burke is a postdoctoral researcher in the Satellite, Airborne, Drone Remote Sensing Lab within the Earth Systems Research Center and is advised by Dr. Mike Palace. Her research interests focus on the use of remote sensing products, like drone imagery, to understand the impact of climate change on the landscape. Her current work looks at identifying changes in vegetation presence due to permafrost thaw in subarctic peatlands and the impact this has on greenhouse gas emissions. Outside of work, she likes to craft, backcountry ski and read fiction books.
Dr. Hannah Fazekas
Former Executive Committee Orientation Chair (2021)
Hannah Fazekas is a postdoctoral research associate in the lab of Bill McDowell in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (NREN) at UNH. Her research focuses on how high-frequency sensor networks can be used to provide novel understanding of the emergent properties of river networks, biogeochemical cycles, and elemental stoichiometry. In addition to her research, Hannah enjoys hiking and camping, reading, and trying new breweries.
Dr. Krista Fleck
UNH PDA Founder
Former Research Council Representative (2020-2021)
Former Executive Committee President (2019-2021)
Krista Fleck is a postdoctoral research associate in the lab of Dr. Vicki Jeffers in Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (MCBS) at UNH. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms driving parasite differentiation and survival in Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma is a widespread human and animal pathogen, infecting a third of the world’s population, and is currently incurable. She is studying the factors involved in transcription initiation that regulate gene expression in these parasites to identify potential therapeutic targets. In addition to her research, Krista loves outdoor activities, playing board and card games, and spending time with her dogs.
Dr. Ian Jones
Former Executive Committee President (2021-2023)
Ian Jones is a postdoctoral research investigator in the Center for Acoustics Research and Education at the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, and is advised by Dr. Jennifer Miksis-Olds. His research focuses on underwater soundscape ecology, which involves quantifying trends of sounds present in natural habitats, and how these sounds are detected and used by marine animals. He is also interested in how noise pollution, such as from vessel traffic and marine construction, impacts the behavior and ecology of marine fishes and invertebrates. Outside of work, Ian is a DJ with an affinity for trance and house music, and enjoys video games, hiking, and scuba diving
Dr. Remya Ann Mathews Kalapurakal
Social Events Chair (2024)
Remya Ann Mathews Kalapurakal is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Chemical Engineering at UNH. She completed her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering focusing on Soft and Condensed Matter Physics from IIT Madras, India in 2022. Her research focuses on modeling the interactions of anisotropic particle systems and leveraging their self-assembly in biocompatible applications, through molecular simulations. She is also passionate about dance, music and poetry. She gains her inspiration from daily life experiences and expresses herself through her poetry. When not at the desk trying to make sense of the science (*geek glasses on*), or fighting the survival struggle (*sigh*), she loves to meet people and experience different things.
Dr. Mariah Livernois
Former University Commission on Community, Equity and Diversity Representative (2023)
Mariah is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Biological Sciences working with Dr. Nathan Furey. Her research at UNH focuses on leveraging existing acoustic telemetry data to assess the movements, habitat use, and phenology patterns of fishes in the Chesapeake Bay. She works collaboratively with researchers at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, and members of the ACT telemetry network. Outside of work, she enjoys cuddling with her dog and cat, running, cycling, and caring for her many houseplants.
Dr. Jose Marchezi
International Affairs Chair (2024)
Jose is a postdoctoral research associate at the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space. His research interests lie in the interaction between the plasma from the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere. His current project is related to the understanding on how the Geomagnetically Induced Currents responds to different solar wind structures, and how to apply machine learning methods to predict the occurrence of those events.
Dr. Theresa B. Oehmke
Former Responsible Conduct of Research Representative (2021-2023)
Dr. Theresa B. Oehmke is a Postdoctoral Diversity and Innovation Scholar in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Dr. Oehmke does research related to Environmental Fluid Mechanics. Specifically, she is interested in the transport of particles and pollutants in turbulent flows and studies this primarily with experimental methods. Outside of research, Theresa enjoys swimming, water polo, surfing, skiing, and ceramics.
Dr. Karina Sanchez
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair (2023-2024)
Karina is a postdoctoral diversity and innovation scholar at UNH in the department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Her research focuses on wildlife responses to urbanization and biological education. She is a champion for equitable access to the outdoors and ecosystem knowledge. She uses her research in urban ecology and biology education to connect with local communities and provide research training for historically minoritized and underrepresented groups in biology, ecology, and conservation. She hopes her efforts will contribute to creating an equitable and diverse community in higher education
Dr. Amy Scott
Former Orientation Chair (2021-2023)
Amy Scott is a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Adrienne Kovach in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at UNH. Her research focuses on conservation genetics of the vulnerable New England cottontail rabbit. More broadly, she is interested in behavioral ecology and conservation. In addition to her research, Amy enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, and traveling.
Dr. Hannah Stokes-Ramos
University Commission on Community, Equity and Diversity Representative (2024)
Hannah Stokes-Ramos is a postdoctoral research associate in the Food Systems Lab at UNH. They completed their PhD in Geography at the University at Buffalo in 2023. Their dissertation research engaged theories of political ecology and environmental justice to investigate how procedural justice in processes of agro-food systems governance can contribute to social-ecological justice and climate resilience in Puerto Rico. Their masters research investigated conceptualizations of food security among resettled refugees living in Vermont and its implications for food security measurement. Their research interests more broadly involve critical approaches to bridging the social and environmental sciences, previously through an MS in Food Systems and a double major in anthropology and environmental studies.
Dr. Allison Zec
Former Social Events Chair (2023)
Allison Zec is a postdoctoral researcher in the Physics Department under the advisement of Professor Elena Long. Her research focuses on designing a testing highly spin-polarized deuterium targets for electron scattering experiments in nuclear physics. She received her PhD from the University of Virginia in 2022 as an experimentalist nuclear physicist. Beyond her research, Allison enjoys travel, alternative rock music, and plays guitar.