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People of PRI
Prairie Research Institute

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  • A woman standing on a wilderness trails carrying a baby in a sling. Mountains and evergreen trees are in the distance.

    Gustava Curtin, graduate research assistant

    Feb 24, 2025 7:00 am

    Gustava Curtin is a graduate student in the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a research assistant at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • A woman wearing an orange shirt and with glasses giving the "peace" sign with her fingers.

    Hannah Anderson, environmental data specialist

    Dec 19, 2024 7:00 am

    Hannah Anderson joined the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), a division of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) as an environmental data specialist. In this role, she’s embedded in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Central Office in Springfield, Illinois.

  • Josh Smith, smiling in front of yellow autumn leaves.

    Josh Smith, economic geologist and affiliate researcher

    Dec 17, 2024 7:00 am

    Josh Smith is a research specialist with the University of Illinois' Department of Earth Science & Environmental Change and a research affiliate with the Critical Minerals group at the Illinois State Geological Survey.

  • A woman standing on a boat facing the camera. She is proudly holding a large gar fish using both of her hands.

    Rachel Prostko, water quality technician

    Dec 3, 2024 7:00 am

    Meet Rachel Prostko, a water quality technician at the Illinois Natural History Survey. Rachel brings her passion for lab and fieldwork to PRI, where she monitors water quality and studies zooplankton communities in the Mississippi watershed.

  • A woman wearing a pink scarf and gloves and black winter hat is standing on top of a mountain and giving the "peace" sign". Snow-covered mountains and evergreen treen can be seeing in the distance.

    Fatima Tuz Zafrin Tuli, geoscience data R&D scientist

    Nov 7, 2024 7:30 am

    Meet Fatima Tuz Zafrin Tuli, who goes by Tuli, is a geoscience data R&D scientist with the Illinois State Geological Survey. Her work at ISGS focuses on managing and advancing the use of scientific data—particularly GIS data—in research. 

  • A woman standing in front of a mounted Triceratops skeleton.

    Amanda Quealy, undergraduate researcher

    Nov 5, 2024 11:00 am

    Amanda Quealy is a sophomore majoring in history and anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As an undergraduate researcher at the Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Amanda plays an essential role in organizing and cataloging artifacts, ranging from bones to botanical materials and lithics.

  • A woman holding a bird in her hand.

    Hannah Grushon, research assistant

    Oct 31, 2024 8:00 am

    Hannah Grushon is a first-year Master's student at the University of Illinois in the Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences program and a graduate research assistant with the  Illinois Natural History Survey. Her passion for conservation drives her research, which aims to identify effective management strategies to support these critical ecosystems.

  • A man in a cave wearing a fluorescent vest and hard hat.

    Alexander Rushing, historic mining specialist

    Oct 30, 2024 8:00 am

    Meet Alexander Rushing, who usually goes by Sasha, a Visiting Scientific Specialist in Historic Mining & Geology at the Illinois State Geological Survey. At PRI, he is apart of the Abandoned Mine Lands and Mined Out Areas projects team.

  • Sarah stands in front of a museum display, smiling with one hand on hip.

    Sarah Manderbach, water safety researcher

    Oct 29, 2024 8:00 am

    Sarah Manderbach is a water safety researcher at the Illinois State Water Survey, where she conducts vital research on private wells. At PRI, Sarah is researching testing for Legionella in private wells in Illinois. 

  • Molly Carlson, wetlands scientist

    Oct 24, 2024 11:00 am

    Molly Carlson is a visiting scientific specialist in the wetlands geology section at the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS). With a B.S. in Wildlife and Conservation Biology from Ohio University and an M.S. in Freshwater Conservation from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Molly brings expertise in wetland ecosystems.

  • Hongxu Zhou, postdoctoral researcher

    Oct 23, 2024 8:00 am

    Hongxu Zhou is a postdoctoral researcher at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. Hongxu's current research targets biochar systems for the destruction of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS.

  • Afeefa Rahman, research assistant

    Oct 15, 2024 7:00 am

    Afeefa Rahman is a research assistant and a PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • A woman in a coat enthusiastically holding a bag of water.

    Ellie Snyder, postdoctoral researcher

    Oct 10, 2024 7:00 am

    Ellie Snyder recently joined the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) as a postdoctoral researcher. At INHS, Ellie is exploring the potential of eRNA in fish monitoring, collaborating with Mark Davis and Sarah Molinaro.

  • A man stands on a ship on open water with a naval vessel in the distance.

    Aidan Neill, undergraduate researcher

    Oct 8, 2024 7:00 am

    Aidan Neill, a Midshipman second class in the United States Naval Reserve and an undergraduate geology student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, combines a passion for the outdoors with a drive to explore rare earth elements.

  • A woman with her arms outstretched in front of a mountain.

    Nina Athanasopoulos, undergraduate researcher

    Oct 2, 2024 8:00 am

    Nina Athanasopoulos is an undergraduate researcher at the Illinois State Geological Survey and a junior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she’s pursuing a degree in Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability. Starting with ISGS in January 2024, Nina spent the summer as a Potter Intern, exploring critical minerals research and geochemical analysis.

  • A man on a boat holding a fish

    Jeremy Facer, research assistant

    Sep 26, 2024 8:00 am

    Jeremy Facer’s journey into the world of fisheries and environmental research began in the wilderness of Idaho, where he developed a deep appreciation for nature. Now a graduate student in the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences and research assistant with the Illinois Natural History Survey under Joseph Parkos, Jeremy focuses on studying fish and their prey’s response to supplemental habitats in aging reservoirs.

  • A woman holding a box turtle

    Kaitlin Karl, PhD student

    Sep 24, 2024 3:00 pm

    Kaitlin Karl, a new PhD student at the Cooperative Conservation Genetics Lab at the Illinois Natural History Survey, brings a deep-rooted passion for preserving biodiversity. We sat down with Kaitlin for this edition of “People of PRI” to learn more about her journey, her favorite tools, and advice for aspiring conservationists.

  • A woman standing near a river holding a crayfish.

    Ellen Schonken, lab technician

    Sep 24, 2024 8:00 am

    Ellen Schonken is a lab technician with the Population and Community Ecology Lab at the Illinois Natural History Survey and a junior majoring in Natural Resources & Environmental Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • A woman wearing sunglasses and face mask standing in front of a volcano.

    Bridget Dale, GIS specialist

    Sep 19, 2024 9:00 am

    Bridget Dale recently joined the Illinois State Geological Survey as a GIS specialist working alongside Dave Grimley. A graduate of NC State University with a degree in Geology and Paleontology, Bridget’s academic background includes research in planetary science and remote sensing

  • Shah Bilawal Ali, research assistant

    Sep 17, 2024 8:30 am

    Shah Bilawal Ali is an MS student in the Department of Earth Science & Environmental Change at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a Research Assistant at the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS). He is now working on the Mitchell CarbonSAFE project, developing geologic models that could contribute to energy sustainability. Explore Ali’s story below to learn about his passion for sedimentology, his tools of the trade, and his ambitions for the future.

  • A man kneeling over an excavation site, removing dirt with a trowel

    Seth Allgeier, curation specialist

    Sep 10, 2024 2:15 pm

    Seth Allgeier recently joined the Illinois State Archaeological Survey as a curation specialist. At PRI, Seth is leveraging his fieldwork experience to assess, organize, and digitize Illinois Department of Transportation site documents

  • Stefan Ilic, visiting scientific specialist

    Sep 3, 2024 7:00 am

    We sat down with Stefan Ilic, a new visiting scientific specialist on the GIS team at the Illinois State Geological Survey. In this interview, Stefan shares insights into his journey to becoming a GIS specialist, his passion for geography and cartography, and the tools he relies on for his work.

     

  • Carolina Diaz Garcia, postdoctoral research associate

    Aug 26, 2024 1:45 pm

    Introducing Carolina Diaz Garcia, a postdoctoral research associate at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, working under the mentorship of Dr. Wei Zheng. Carolina brings a wealth of experience and passion to her work in environmental research, focusing on innovative methods to improve water quality and tackle pollution challenges

  • A woman in sunglasses stands in front of a pool of water.

    Sunita Mahat, visiting scientific specialist

    Aug 16, 2024 11:30 am

    Introducing Sunita Mahat, a visiting scientific specialist in GIS at the Illinois State Geological Survey. Sunita shares insights into her role in the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Inventory and Characterization Project, her passion for using technology to address environmental challenges, and her advice for aspiring GIS analysts.

  • Payton Ohler, summer research intern

    Aug 14, 2024 1:30 pm

    Payton Ohler recently completed her summer internship working with Sherilyn Williams-Stroud at the Illinois State Geological Survey. As a participant in the Graduate College’s Summer Research Opportunities Program, she focused on the social and technological implications of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects.

  • A woman in cold-weather attire stands in front of a snow-covered mountain.

    Katie Spaulding, GIS Specialist

    Aug 9, 2024 10:45 am

    We spoke with Katie Spaulding, a recent graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the newest visiting scientific specialist of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the Illinois State Geological Survey. Katie shared her journey from her undergraduate career to her current role at ISGS, where she combines her passion for the environment with advanced mapping technologies. 

  • A woman with waders sitting in a stream holding a plastic bottle.

    Savanna Palmer, summer research intern

    Jul 31, 2024 9:30 am

    Savanna Palmer, a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majoring in Integrative Biology Honors, recently completed an internship under Mark Davis in the Collaborative Conservation Genetic Lab (CCGL) at the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS).

  • A male in a blue jacket stands in front of the Sydney Opera House.

    Jake Vile, undergraduate researcher

    Jul 26, 2024 2:00 pm

    Jake Vile, a recent graduate from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Atmospheric Sciences recently joined the Illinois State Water Survey, a division of the Prairie Research Institute. Jake's passion for weather began at a young age, and he plans to further his studies with a M.S. in Atmospheric Sciences at the University at Albany this fall. At PRI, he contributes to the MITTEN-CI project, focusing on collecting and analyzing meteorological data. Jake's dedication and enthusiasm, combined with his extensive global experience, make him a valuable asset to our team. We sat down with Jake to learn more about his experience and plans for the future.

  • A man stands in front of a lake at sunset.

    Rob Mooney, assistant research scientist

    Jul 19, 2024 11:30 am

    Rob Mooney recently joined INHS as an assistant research scientist. His research interests span a range of aquatic science topics, from invertebrate behavior to ecosystem-scale stressors to fisheries management.

  • A woman kneeling with a dog.

    Lauren Dean, assistant research scientist

    Jul 12, 2024 10:30 am

    Lauren Dean joined the INHS as an assistant research scientist focused on Hunter Research for the Learn to Hunt program. She previously conducted research focused on exploring waterfowl hunting regulation complexity as a constraint to adult novice waterfowl hunter recruitment and retention in Illinois in conjunction with the Illinois Learn to Hunt program. We sat down with Lauren to learn a bit more about her.

  • A woman wearing a hat and holding a toad.

    Hope Dermott, visiting scientific specialist

    Jun 27, 2024 8:00 am

    Hope Dermott joined INHS in the Wetland Science Program on May 20th as a Visiting Scientific Specialist in Wetland Science. She is currently working on her Master's degree in soil science at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • Walt Kelly poses for a photo at the awards ceremony.

    Walton R. Kelly, 2024 Research Scientist Career Achievement Award recipient

    Jun 5, 2024 2:00 pm

    Walton R. Kelly is the recipient of the Prairie Research Institute’s 2024 Research Scientist Career Achievement Award, which recognizes the achievements of a PRI scientist whose fundamental discoveries, new theories, or insights have had a significant impact over the course of their career.

  • Atticus Zavelle, 2024 Distinguished Research Specialist/Technician Award recipient

    Jun 5, 2024 1:30 pm

    Atticus Zavelle, senior scientific specialist at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) has been selected as the recipient of PRI’s 2024 Distinguished Research Specialist/Technician Award.

  • Dr. Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, 2024 Distinguished Research Scientist Award recipient

    Jun 5, 2024 1:15 pm

    Dr. Nohra Mateus-Pinilla has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Research Scientist Award by the Prairie Research Institute. This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon individuals whose exceptional contributions to their field of research, environment, and society stand out as exemplary. Dr. Mateus-Pinilla, the director of the Wildlife Veterinary Epidemiology Laboratory at the Illinois Natural History Survey.

  • Scott Elrick accepting the Friend of PRI Award from Executive Director Praveen Kumar on behalf of Laurence Nuelle.

    Laurence Nuelle, 2024 Friend of PRI Award recipient

    Jun 5, 2024 1:00 pm

    Laurence Nuelle is the recipient of the Prairie Research Institute’s 2024 Friend of PRI Award, which recognizes service and commitment in helping PRI meet its mission of being the trusted science authority to the state of Illinois.

  • Mike DeYoung poses for a photo at the awards ceremony.

    Mike DeYoung, 2024 Outstanding New Support Staff Award recipient

    Jun 5, 2024 11:30 am

    Project Manager Mike DeYoung is the recipient of the Prairie Research Institute’s 2024 Outstanding New Support Staff Award, which recognizes non-scientific support staff who have shown exceptional performance and outstanding service in their work and are making an impact on PRI.

  • Lori Walston-Vonderharr, 2024 Distinguished Support Staff Award recipient

    Jun 5, 2024 11:15 am

    Human Resources Business Partner Lori Walston-Vonderharr is the recipient of the Prairie Research Institute’s 2024 Distinguished Support Staff Award, which recognizes non-scientific support staff who have shown exceptional performance and outstanding service in their work and are making an impact on PRI.

  • Mera Hertel, 2024 Distinguished Support Staff Award recipient

    Jun 5, 2024 8:45 am

    Recognized for her exceptional contributions, Mera Hertel, a cornerstone of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS), has been honored with the 2024 Distinguished Support Staff Award by the Prairie Research Institute.

  • Jameson Mori, 2024 PRI Early Career Investigator Award recipient

    Jun 5, 2024 7:45 am

    Jameson Mori, assistant research scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey’s Wildlife Epidemiological Lab, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Early Career Investigator Award by the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) for their outstanding contributions to environmental science and interdisciplinary research.

  • A woman with a hat standing on a mountain top.

    Ellie Callahan, visiting scientific specialist

    Apr 10, 2024 12:00 pm

    Introducing Ellie Callahan, a geochemistry researcher at the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), a division of Prairie Research Institute. With a B.S. in Geology and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin Madison and a M.S. in Geology from the University of Oklahoma, Ellie's journey is fueled by a passion for understanding the Earth’s complex systems and for interdisciplinary problem-solving. Currently, as a visiting scientific specialist in geochemistry, she delves into groundwater vulnerability assessments at Illinois nature preserves and leads an exciting project revisiting outstanding geological features across the state. We sat down with Ellie to hear how she navigates the fascinating intersection of research, industry, and the great outdoors.

  • A man riding a horse with one hand over his head holding a cowboy hat.

    Justin Remmers, postdoctoral researcher

    Mar 7, 2024 2:15 pm

    Justin Remmers recently joined INHS as a Postdoctoral Researcher.

  • Woman with a hat on holding a large black and yellow turtle.

    Claire Dietrich, field ecologist

    Feb 29, 2024 2:00 pm

    Claire Dietrich recently joined the PACE Lab as a field ecologist.

  • Reilly Durham, visiting scientific specialist

    Feb 26, 2024 10:00 am

    Introducing Reilly Durham, who recently joined the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) at the Prairie Research Institute. Their role focuses on algal-bacterial bioaugmentation, aiming to revolutionize wastewater treatment and biofuel production.

  • Shaley Valentine, assistant research scientist

    Feb 22, 2024 9:00 am

    Shaley Valentine recently joined Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) as an Assistant Research Scientist at the Illinois River Biological Station! Prior to joining INHS, Shaley completed a PhD at Southern Illinois University. We sat down with Shaley to learn more about them, what they’re passionate about, and hear any advice they have for future scientists.

  • Sara P. Villazan Perez-Girones

    Sara Villazan Perez-Girones, visiting scientific specialist

    Feb 13, 2024 8:45 am

  • Jordan Hartman, postdoctoral researcher

    Jan 29, 2024 10:45 am

    Jordan Hartman joined INHS and the Collaborative Conservation Genomics Laboratory on January 1, 2024, as a Postdoctoral Researcher with Dr. Mark Davis. She recently completed her Ph. D. at the University of Illinois under Dr. Eric Larson where she studied the process of the invasion of Eastern Banded Killifish in Illinois using different and genomic techniques. Today, she can found in the genomics laboratory where she will be researching little brown bats across the United States.

  • Amber Zilinger

    Amber Zilinger, visiting scientific specialist

    Jan 24, 2024 10:45 am

    Amber Zilinger recently joined INHS as a visiting scientific specialist in soils and disease research in the Wildlife Veterinary Epidemiology Laboratory. 

  • Parikshit Gogoi, visiting research scholar

    Jan 23, 2024 4:15 pm

    Meet Dr. Parikshit Gogoi, a distinguished visiting research scholar currently immersed in a journey at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) under the Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence fellowship. Since September 25, 2023, Dr. Gogoi has been steering his research towards the catalytic conversion of lignin bio-oils components to aromatics and fuel range hydrocarbons.

  • Amber Schmidt

    Amber Schmidt: Grad Student and Illinois Indiana Sea Grant Scholar

    Dec 6, 2023 9:45 am
  • Wei Dang

    Wei Dang, water resource engineer

    Nov 22, 2023 10:30 am

    Wei Dang earned her Master of Geographic Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2022. Following graduation, she joined PRI as a Water Resource Engineer. Her primary responsibilities revolve around using GIS methodologies to present water resource data and information on surface water in a visually intuitive and accessible manner. She also works on the geospatial analyses of water resources systems, aiming to streamline water resources planning and management.