Meet the first cohort of SPARCnet RaMP Participants! As the group moves through their year with us, we will update this page with information on their research projects.

Isabella Badon
she/her

Mentor: Jen Moss at Virginia Tech

I grew up in Johnson City, Tennessee and ended up getting my Biology bachelors in South Carolina. I love to go hiking, caving, and rock climbing. But, I really spend most of my free time hanging out with my pug, Mops.

Maddie Chartier
she/her

Mentor: Evan Grant at USGS/UMass Amherst

Growing up in western MA, I've always enjoyed going on hikes and searching for local herptiles. My passion for nature led me to Westfield State University, where I graduated with a BS in Environmental Science and Wetland Planning & Management. Shortly after graduating, I joined Northeast Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (NEARMI), where I have been lucky to work with some of my favorite creatures.

Caroline Goldstein
she/her

Mentor: Brandon Hedrick at Cornell University

I'm from Westchester, New York, and pursued a degree in Animal Science in undergrad. I didn't get much opportunity to do ecology work with my degree, so I'm very much looking forward to learning as much as I can. I love doing anything that gets me outside, reading with my cat Dottie and crochet!

Bridget Hudnall
she/her

Mentor: Louise Mead at Michigan State University

I am a graduate from the University of Texas at Austin who loves all things herp and bird related. Find me disappearing into the woods at any given opportunity.

Sophia Louriero
she/her

Mentor: Alexa Warwick at Michigan State University

I was born and raised in Santa Monica, CA, then ventured up to OR to pursue a wildlife degree at OSU. I love to forage for mushrooms, read a good fantasy book, or dig into the latest anime. I also have a pet rosy boa named Sundew whom I love dearly.

Lily McCarthy
she/her

Mentor: Beth Bastiaans at SUNY Oneonta

I'm from Norwell, Massachusetts and just graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies. I love ducks, a good water feature, and drawing with my colored pencils.

Brittany Rojan
she/her

Mentor: Dave Miller at Penn State University

I was born and partially raised in Queens, NY and moved to New Jersey as a child. I earned a degree in Environmental science, and hope to pursue higher education. I love to bake, dive into a good book or the latest tv series, and you can catch me playing games on my downtime!

Dellen Roush
they/them

Mentor: Eric Gangloff at Ohio Wesleyan University

I’ve been in Ohio for most of my life (which is too long), and have always had a passion for evolution, conservation, and learning! I usually spend my free time hiking and looking for herps and bugs, crocheting, or reading novels about both real world and theoretical evolution. I have a sweet aussiepoo, Maple, two sweet kitties, Kiryu and Cricket, and my adorable corn snake, Anja. I’m overjoyed to be a part of this program so I can spend the next year doing what I love - learning!

Sophia Trent
she/her

Mentor: Tanya Matlaga at Susquehanna University

I was born in Maryland and completed my undergraduate in Biology and Environmental Studies in Massachusetts. I enjoy looking for critters, invertebrate and reptile caretaking, and reading nonfiction.