Luella Allen-Waller is a Chicago Fellow postdoctoral researcher in the McCoy Lab co-advised by Dr. Cathy Pfister. She studies the influence of dinoflagellate endosymbionts on the cnidarian surface microbiome, with a focus on how climate change alters this relationship.

Gabriela “Gabby” Mansilla is a research technician in the McCoy Lab at the University of Chicago. She has a background in molecular science, and is interested in using genetics, genomics, and biophysics to better understand conflict in coral-algal symbiosis within the context of coral bleaching to help influence restoration efforts. 

Ethan Rothschild is a first year PhD student at the University of Chicago and is interested in  investigating the evolution of symbioses in reef-dwelling organisms through experimental evolution.

Tanner Lee is a first year PhD student at the University of Chicago and is interested in the mechanisms that govern chloroplast longevity in solar-powered sea slugs.

Yuling “Lynn” Gu is a third-year chemical biology student at Berkeley and she is involved in the project on hormone-receptor coevolution in pregnancy. She is interested in how proteins evolve to have very specific biochemical properties.

Jennifer “Jenna” Kotler is a Consulting Research Scientist with an interest in all things genetic conflict, parent-offspring conflict, and pregnancy. She has a multi-disciplinary background with experience in evolutionary theory, genetics, psychology, and clinical research.

Their skills include typing mysterious messages by walking across keyboards and making surprise (often uninvited) Zoom appearances.