Cristina Barros
cristina.barros |at| unco.edu

I am a third year PhD student in the Benedict lab, and my research focuses mainly on animal behavior and acoustic signaling. I am especially interested in uncovering the mysteries of how and why birds communicate with one another. Currently, I am conducting a research project investigating female song function in Red-winged Blackbirds via a combination of observational, behavioral, experimental, and passive acoustic monitoring techniques. I believe in using an evolutionary approach in my behavioral experiments in order to evaluate the adaptive significance of female song as a communication signal. When I am not conducting research or teaching classes, I enjoy playing guitar, discussing pop culture, and attending live music events.

Wynn Webster
wynn.webster |at| unco.edu

I am a first year Master's student in the Benedict Lab, with a background in avian genomics. My current interests focus on  analysis of parrot vocalizations and their evolutionary patterns. My project is looking at phylogenetic evolutionary comparisons between domesticated parrot species. Previously, I worked with tissue comparisons in telomere degradation over time in both Black-capped Chickadees and Yellow Warblers.

Chris Walker: I am a 4^rd year undergraduate studying biology with an emphasis on ecology and evolutionary biology. This is my 8th semester in the Benedict Lab. I am active on campus with supplemental instruction, tutoring, and peer mentoring for several courses. My study emphasis in the Benedict lab is looking at bird coloration and how it changes based on environmental variables.

Devyn Bailey (top, L), Megan Heier (top, R), Nick Godlove (bottom, L) and Paul McPhail (bottom, R) presenting at UNC's Research Day

Graduate Students:

Leah Crenshaw - M.S. 2023 - Thesis: Analyzing grassland bird song and success at the landscape-level: the impact of landscape characteristics on Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) 

Karina Sanchez - Ph.D. 2022 - Dissertation: Effects of Noise, Light, and Landscape on Birds in a Recently Urbanized County

Braelei Hardt - M.S. 2020 - Thesis: Assessing the effets of habitat on bird song propagation. 

Lorraine Dargis - M.S. 2020 - Thesis: Does population density affect the singing behavior of female canyon wrens (Catherpes mexicanus)?

Nadje Najar - Ph.D. 2018 - Dissertation: Geographic variation in rock wren song complexity

Stephanie Pitt - M.S. 2018 - Thesis: Why sing so many songs? Testing the significance of song repertoire size in rock wrens

TJ Hathcock - M.S. 2017 - Thesis: Vocal Coordination of Male and Female Canyon Wrens

Nora Covy - M.S. 2016 - Thesis: Rock Climbing and Avian Cliff Communities: The Effects of Climbing Use on Avian Diversity and Behavior in Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, Colorado

Nathanial Warning - M.S. 2014 - Thesis: Canyon and Rock Wren Coexistence in the Northern Colorado Foothills

Undergraduates: 

Alex Colpitts, Alex Charles, Amirah Brockington, Tahais Guererro-Rocha, Branden Lawson, Joelle Jenkins, Yessica Rodriguez, Kali Thompson, Abigail Hayes, Cameron Kennedy, Paul McPhail, Kasha Strong, Megan Heier, Nick Godlove, Devyn Bailey, Annie Lin, Hannah Best, Kelsey Eickelman, Rhaya Espe, Carissa King, Daynia Lashaway, Cynthia Murguia, Becky Nowak, Xuan Mai Phan, Anne Rose, Lauren Rudman, Nathan Sheppard, Christi Stuchel

Left to Right:  Nat Warning, Nora Covy, TJ Hathcock, Stephanie Pitt, Nadje Najar