CURRENT STUDENTS
NIKKI KNECHT
Nikki is a SUNY Oswego Zoology major and Computer Science minor. Their current research is on reflectance spectrometry of Painted Bunting feathers to quantify age and sex differences in color. They will also be monitoring Bobolink habitat use at a restored hayfield on the Oswego campus this summer. Outside of research, they love to create art and edit for SUNY Oswego’s literary and art journal the Great Lake Review.
Nikki is a SUNY Oswego Zoology major and Computer Science minor. Their current research is on reflectance spectrometry of Painted Bunting feathers to quantify age and sex differences in color. They will also be monitoring Bobolink habitat use at a restored hayfield on the Oswego campus this summer. Outside of research, they love to create art and edit for SUNY Oswego’s literary and art journal the Great Lake Review.
GRIFFIN KUTNY
Griffin is a Zoology major at SUNY Oswego whose interest in avian research sprouted from a love for birding both in his hometown and wherever he travels. In his research, he will use automated recording units as well as field data to track the timing of the spring migration and identify the birds that utilize the SUNY Oswego campus as a migration stopover point. In the future, Griffin hopes to have the opportunity to study birds in all corners of the world. Outside of research, he enjoys classical music, puzzles, and good books.
Griffin is a Zoology major at SUNY Oswego whose interest in avian research sprouted from a love for birding both in his hometown and wherever he travels. In his research, he will use automated recording units as well as field data to track the timing of the spring migration and identify the birds that utilize the SUNY Oswego campus as a migration stopover point. In the future, Griffin hopes to have the opportunity to study birds in all corners of the world. Outside of research, he enjoys classical music, puzzles, and good books.
FISHEL CONNORS
Fishel is a Suny Oswego Zoology major. Their research currently based in helping with the beginnings of a bird banding Station at Rice Creek Field Station to survey current bird populations. Hopes to further specialize in captive wildlife management and ornithology. Outside interests include creative writing, art, and raising her cat, Inky.
Fishel is a Suny Oswego Zoology major. Their research currently based in helping with the beginnings of a bird banding Station at Rice Creek Field Station to survey current bird populations. Hopes to further specialize in captive wildlife management and ornithology. Outside interests include creative writing, art, and raising her cat, Inky.
ALUMNI
SONJA ANDERSON
Sonja is currently a cinema and screen studies major with a minor in zoology, but this will change to a major in zoology and a minor in geology at the end of the 2023 spring semester. Right now, her research includes reflectance spectrometry to quantify House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch plumage color. Outside of research, she is a co-host of a mental health podcast, enjoys filmmaking and photography, playing tennis, dinosaurs, her husky, her rabbit, and more.
Sonja is currently a cinema and screen studies major with a minor in zoology, but this will change to a major in zoology and a minor in geology at the end of the 2023 spring semester. Right now, her research includes reflectance spectrometry to quantify House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch plumage color. Outside of research, she is a co-host of a mental health podcast, enjoys filmmaking and photography, playing tennis, dinosaurs, her husky, her rabbit, and more.
TALYN FAULKNER
Talyn was a Zoology major who gained an interest in birds through bird watching/birding in their backyard and local hiking trails in the Adirondacks. Their research under Dr. Baldassarre at SUNY Oswego included working to understand the factors that contribute to window strike deaths and the impacts of urbanization on behavioral responses in northern cardinals. They have also been working to develop a field guide of local species in Oswego to benefit the birdwatchers who visit Rice Creek. They plan to join the world of field biology to continue to aid research and conservation efforts within the field of ornithology.
Talyn was a Zoology major who gained an interest in birds through bird watching/birding in their backyard and local hiking trails in the Adirondacks. Their research under Dr. Baldassarre at SUNY Oswego included working to understand the factors that contribute to window strike deaths and the impacts of urbanization on behavioral responses in northern cardinals. They have also been working to develop a field guide of local species in Oswego to benefit the birdwatchers who visit Rice Creek. They plan to join the world of field biology to continue to aid research and conservation efforts within the field of ornithology.
SONIA HERNANDEZ
Sonia was an honors student at SUNY Oswego majoring in Zoology and minoring in Chemistry. Her research involved detecting avian malaria in rural and urban Northern Cardinals and understanding their effect on plumage coloration and body condition. Outside of research, she enjoys powerlifting, playing the violin, and was vice president of the Pre-Vet club.
Sonia was an honors student at SUNY Oswego majoring in Zoology and minoring in Chemistry. Her research involved detecting avian malaria in rural and urban Northern Cardinals and understanding their effect on plumage coloration and body condition. Outside of research, she enjoys powerlifting, playing the violin, and was vice president of the Pre-Vet club.
SHYLA LUNA
Shyla was a SUNY Oswego Zoology major. Her research focused on factors influencing nest predation rates in cardinals. As part of her research, she used motion-activated camera traps to determine whether urban and rural cardinals face different sets of predators. Outside of research, she was the president of the Oswego Outdoors Club and is very active in her local birding club.
Shyla was a SUNY Oswego Zoology major. Her research focused on factors influencing nest predation rates in cardinals. As part of her research, she used motion-activated camera traps to determine whether urban and rural cardinals face different sets of predators. Outside of research, she was the president of the Oswego Outdoors Club and is very active in her local birding club.
RAINA BECKER
Raina was a Zoology major at SUNY Oswego. She transferred here after receiving an associate's degree in environmental studies and did research on the plumage of Northern Cardinals, Painted Buntings, and Lesser Goldfinches using reflectance spectrometry. She also aided in the data collection of on-campus window strikes. In the future, she hopes to get a career in field research with a focus on ornithology and evolution. Outside of birds she is passionate about reading and writing, astronomy, canoeing, and her fish tank.
Raina was a Zoology major at SUNY Oswego. She transferred here after receiving an associate's degree in environmental studies and did research on the plumage of Northern Cardinals, Painted Buntings, and Lesser Goldfinches using reflectance spectrometry. She also aided in the data collection of on-campus window strikes. In the future, she hopes to get a career in field research with a focus on ornithology and evolution. Outside of birds she is passionate about reading and writing, astronomy, canoeing, and her fish tank.
BROOKE GOODMAN
Brooke was an honors student at SUNY Oswego majoring in Zoology and minoring in Statistics. Her research focused on recording vocalizations from both urban and rural Northern Cardinal populations in order to discern differences and similarities between the two. Outside of research, she is interested in wildlife rehabilitation, reading, and playing with her cats.
Brooke was an honors student at SUNY Oswego majoring in Zoology and minoring in Statistics. Her research focused on recording vocalizations from both urban and rural Northern Cardinal populations in order to discern differences and similarities between the two. Outside of research, she is interested in wildlife rehabilitation, reading, and playing with her cats.
DENIS RAMOS
From an early interest in animals while growing up in the concrete jungle of NYC and the Caribbean tropics of Puerto Rico, Denis chose SUNY Oswego to pursue a degree in Zoology. With the opportunity to broaden his horizons under Dr. Baldassarre's wing, he quickly took to the feather mounting work needed to further the understanding of the effects of urban and rural living on cardinal color. The summer of his junior year he dove head-first into the world of birding which meant learning on the job. It was a wonderful experience that definitely helped Denis further his knowledge in ornithology.
From an early interest in animals while growing up in the concrete jungle of NYC and the Caribbean tropics of Puerto Rico, Denis chose SUNY Oswego to pursue a degree in Zoology. With the opportunity to broaden his horizons under Dr. Baldassarre's wing, he quickly took to the feather mounting work needed to further the understanding of the effects of urban and rural living on cardinal color. The summer of his junior year he dove head-first into the world of birding which meant learning on the job. It was a wonderful experience that definitely helped Denis further his knowledge in ornithology.
KRISTIE DRZEWIECKI
Kristie was an honors student at SUNY Oswego who majored in Zoology and minored in French. Her research analyzed the impacts of rural and urban environments on Northern Cardinal plumage color. From this research, she hopes to gain lab and fieldwork experience while further exploring the field of behavioral ecology. When she is not busy doing research, she loves to read and volunteer her time at the Oswego County Humane Society and work as an Assistant Service Dog Trainer.
Kristie was an honors student at SUNY Oswego who majored in Zoology and minored in French. Her research analyzed the impacts of rural and urban environments on Northern Cardinal plumage color. From this research, she hopes to gain lab and fieldwork experience while further exploring the field of behavioral ecology. When she is not busy doing research, she loves to read and volunteer her time at the Oswego County Humane Society and work as an Assistant Service Dog Trainer.
