Lab members
Dr. Juan P. Quimbayo
Principal Investigator
I am an ecologist who uses a multidisciplinary approach to understand and conserve biodiversity through space and time. I earned my Ph.D. from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Brazil and served as a Research Scientist at the Ohio State University. I previously conducted a post-doctoral work at other institutions, including the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and São Paulo University. I joined the University of Miami in 2024 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology where I established the BioScales Lab.
Dr. Luiza S. Waechter
Postdoc
Luiza interests lie in the functional diversity of reef ecosystems, with a focus on fish. She aims to understand the functional traits of species, as well as their roles and the ecosystem services they provide. Additionally, she is interested in functional diversity patterns across different spatial scales, encompassing both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as temporal scales. Furthermore, she seeks to work with different groups of organisms to enhance our understanding of ecosystem functioning worldwide and to explore strategies for mitigating the negative impacts of human activities on these systems.
​
Anna Koivunen
PhD Student
Anna interests lie in Marine Ecology and Conservation, with a focus on the patterns and processes shaping biodiversity. Specifically, she is interested in how environmental factors influence the species distribution of fish assemblages, and how we can minimize the impact of climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. Additionally, she is passionate about environmental education to benefit ecosystems and the socio-economic well-being of local communities.
Dawn Kaufman
PhD Student
Dawn’s interests lie in the ecology and physiology of marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on how interspecies relationships are being reshaped by climate-driven habitat range shifts. Her work aims to uncover large-scale symbiotic interactions that emerge as species are increasingly forced into new associations due to environmental change. By advancing understanding of these evolving ecological dynamics, she seeks to inform and implement targeted conservation strategies that support marine ecosystems in the face of ongoing climate change.
Paulina Kirik
Undergraduate student
Paulina is an undergraduate at the university studying biology and marine science, with a strong interest in marine biology and conservation science. She is interested in getting more involved in the field through diverse research and fieldwork experiences. She also aspire to integrate community outreach into my work to inspire others to care for the ocean as she does. Paulina involvements in the Bioscales Lab include assisting with projects focused on Floridian and archipelago biodiversity.
Olivia Pitman
Undergraduate student
Olivia is current sophomore at UM studying health science with minors in biology and mathematics. She is extremely passionate about conserving and protecting the world’s oceans and coastal areas, and am excited to gain more experience in the conservation science field learning at the Bio Scales lab. She currently assists with Florida biodiversity and archipelago biodiversity projects in the lab.
Mallory Sims
Undergraduate student
Mallory is a senior at the University of Miami, majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Ecosystem Science and Policy. She is set to graduate in December 2025. Her passion for ecology deepened while studying abroad in San Cristóbal, Galápagos, where she gained hands-on experience in field research and witnessed the critical importance of conservation. Since then, she has been particularly interested in understanding and protecting Florida’s rich biodiversity. In the BioScales Lab, she is currently researching how the invasive Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) affects native species and the structure of surrounding ecological communities.
Rio
Lab Pet
Rio is interested in beaches, rivers, and fruits. Ongoing work focuses in understanding human dynamics and developing strategies to gain more attention.