[**Unfortunately, we are no longer receiving applications for the graduate program at UIC for the 2026-2027 academic year**]
The lab, Fall 2025.
Top: Grace, Noah, Marília, Ignacio.
Bottom: Sage, Angie
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Ignacio Escalante Meza, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor iem (at) uic (dot) edu Background and CV I am a tropical biologist and behavioral ecologist by training. I investigate what and how tropical animals do what they do and how they respond to ecological changes in their environments. I was born and raised in Costa Rica. I got my undergrad biology degree and a Master's in Animal Behavior at the Universidad de Costa Rica. Then, I got a Ph.D. at the University of California - Berkeley. I started at UIC in the Fall of 2022 as a researcher. Outside work, I enjoy biking, playing soccer, and attending live music shows. |
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Marília Freire, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher | Spring 2025 - present. mfreire (at) uic (dot) uic I am a behavioral ecologist with a strong interest in field studies of arthropod behavior. I received my bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, followed by a master's in Evolution, Ecology, and Systematics from LMU Munich, Germany. I completed my PhD in Ecology at the Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology and FSU Jena, Germany. In February 2025, I began a postdoctoral position at UIC.Outside of work, I enjoy reading, board games, hiking, and attempting various crafts enthusiastically, but with questionable skill. Outstanding accolades: 1. Postdoc Travel Award from UIC to attend the Animal Behaviour Society 2025 conference in Baltimore, MD, USA. |
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Sage DeLong, B.S.
Graduate student | Fall 2024 - present. sdelo (at) uic (dot) edu I received my bachelor's degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee where I studied the contest, courtship, and vibrational signaling behaviors of red milkweed beetles. I am currently researching how morphological variations in the genus Leiobunum (Opiliones) may influence their antipredator behavioral responses. In my free time, I enjoy music, making art, knitting, gaming, and D&D. View my Curriculum Vitae (CV) here! Outstanding accolades: 1. A 2024 first-authored paper in Behavior from her previous work on beetle behavior. 2. 2025 Student Research Grant from the Animal Behaviour Society 3. 2025 Student Research Grant from the American Arachnological Society |
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Noah Skelly, B.S.
Graduate student | Fall 2024 - present. nskel (at) uic (dot) edu I received my bachelor’s degree in Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity from the University of California, Davis, and I am broadly interested in the evolutionary consequences of arthropod behavior. While at Davis, I conducted research on neophobia and fear generalization in house crickets, wolf spiders, and tree frogs. Searching for and identifying insects has become a big hobby of mine outside of school, but I also enjoy skiing, running, and freestyle cliff-jumping. Outstanding accolades: 1. 2024 Teaching Assistant Award from UIC's Department of Biological Sciences for his contributions to the class Biology of Cells & Organisms. |
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Grace Litavsky, B.S.
Graduate student | Fall 2025 - present. Co-advised with Dr. Emily Minor gll2 (at) uic (dot) edu I received my bachelor's degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Dayton, and I am interested in arthropods in urban ecosystems. At UD, I contributed to research revolving around insect diversity in solar prairies. Outside of school, I love music, teaching dance, and walks along the lakefront! |
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Angelina (Angie) Piette, M.Sc.
Graduate student | Fall 2025 - present. apiet (at) uic (dot) edu I have a strong interest in behavioral ecology, in particular, I am interested in tropical ecology. Before joining this lab in 2025, I received my Bachelor of Science degree in biology and environmental studies from Gettysburg College, where I examined the effects of eavesdropper predation on neighboring túngara frogs (Engystomops pustulosus). Then, I received my Master of Science in Biology at California State University, Northridge, where I investigated red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas) courtship dynamics, mutual mate choice, and male competition. Beyond academia (although I do love catching animals, … mostly frogs, in the field), I spend my free time enjoying music, practicing my photography skills, and exploring the city! |
Collaborators
Glauco Machado. Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
Guenther Raspotnig. University of Graz, Austria.
Giselle Tamayo, Víctor Vásquez. Universidad de Costa Rica.
Shannon O'Brien. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, USA.
Damián Villaseñor Amador. Palacky University, Czech Republic.
Raquel Castro Lara. Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica.
Alejandro Farji Brener. Conicet & Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Argentina.
Víctor Arroyo Rodríguez. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
Esteban Brenes Mora. Re:wild, Mesoamerica.
Donal Soto Varela. Tapir Valley Nature Preserve.
Guenther Raspotnig. University of Graz, Austria.
Giselle Tamayo, Víctor Vásquez. Universidad de Costa Rica.
Shannon O'Brien. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, USA.
Damián Villaseñor Amador. Palacky University, Czech Republic.
Raquel Castro Lara. Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica.
Alejandro Farji Brener. Conicet & Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Argentina.
Víctor Arroyo Rodríguez. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
Esteban Brenes Mora. Re:wild, Mesoamerica.
Donal Soto Varela. Tapir Valley Nature Preserve.
Previous lab members
Sejal Prachand, B.A.
Postbacc Fellow | 2024 - 2025 academic year. sprac (at) uic (dot) edu Before coming to UIC, I received BAs in Biology and Mathematics from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. In addition to contributing to projects on Chicagoland Opiliones predator responses and substrate use, I’m continuing work on a project using eBird community science data to understand Fish Crow establishment in the state of Maine. Broadly, I’m interested in synthesizing ecological data at small (organismal) and large (regional) scales to inform conservation management. I am also interested in working to bridge communication gaps between statisticians and ecologists. In my free time, I enjoy birding, biking and fixing bikes, hiking, and losing at trivia. Outstanding accolades: 1. 2025 Best Poster Presentation in UIC's Department of Biological Sciences postbac poster competition. |
UIC's Honor's College student Evelin Muñoz and postbac fellow Aman Siddiqui. Lab members 2023-2024.
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Evelin Munoz, BS. UIC Honor's College Capstone Thesis senior student. 2023-2024 academic year. University of Illinois - Chicago.
Aman Siddiqui, BS. Postbac Research Fellow. 2023-2024 academic year. University of Illinois - Chicago. |
Interested in collaborating? Please read:
1. If you are interested in applying for graduate positions, see the information on UIC graduate admissions here. Our university covers tuition and fees, and provides a stipend (salary) for when you are a student and teaching assistant.
2. Please contact me to discuss your motivations and interests in pursuing a graduate program or a postdoc. Our conversations have the goal of identifying the overlap between our research topics and methods, as well as delineating the potential projects we can collaborate.
3. The university has other opportunities to join the lab as a paid researcher after you get your Bachelor's degree. Please ask me about these.
4. Interested in a postdoc opportunity? The lab's current funding is limited. If you are interested, please try to identify in advance potential sources of funding that you can apply (fellowships, awards, grants). Contact me to discuss and support projects and applications and explore options together. [**The posted position below has been taken as September 2024**]
5. If you are interested in coming to the lab as an international student (a non-US citizen), please read here about the available support from the Office of International Services at UIC.
2. Please contact me to discuss your motivations and interests in pursuing a graduate program or a postdoc. Our conversations have the goal of identifying the overlap between our research topics and methods, as well as delineating the potential projects we can collaborate.
3. The university has other opportunities to join the lab as a paid researcher after you get your Bachelor's degree. Please ask me about these.
4. Interested in a postdoc opportunity? The lab's current funding is limited. If you are interested, please try to identify in advance potential sources of funding that you can apply (fellowships, awards, grants). Contact me to discuss and support projects and applications and explore options together. [**The posted position below has been taken as September 2024**]
5. If you are interested in coming to the lab as an international student (a non-US citizen), please read here about the available support from the Office of International Services at UIC.
The Lab, May 2025.
Ignacio, Sage, Noah, Sejal, & Marilia
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