Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Meet The Team
About me: Since as far back as I can remember I have been fascinated by nature and loved spending time outdoors. I think it has been that sense of wonder towards nature, and the support of a handful of incredible mentors, that eventually lead me towards the path of scientific research. I consider myself primarily a developmental biologist, but our research is highly interdisciplinary, encompassing the fields of cell and molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology. I am motivated by the daily prospect of scientific discovery and strongly committed to teaching and mentoring a diverse group of students.
For fun: I love to cook and to eat. I enjoy playing and watching just about every sport, and I love spending time outdoors (fishing, hiking, free diving, you name it!).
Boris M. Tezak (he/him)
Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor
Training:
Postdoctoral Research, Capel Lab, Duke University Medical Center (2019-2024)
PhD in Integrative Biology, Florida Atlantic University (2019)
BS in Biology, Florida Atlantic University (2011)
Barbora Straková (she/her)
Barbora Straková (she/her)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Postdoctoral Researcher
From: Prague, Czech Republic.
From: Prague, Czech Republic.
Training:
PhD in Ecology, Charles University, Prague (2024)
MS in Zoology, Charles University, Prague (2018)
BS in Biology, Charles University, Prague (2016)
Training:
PhD in Ecology, Charles University, Prague (2024)
MS in Zoology, Charles University, Prague (2018)
BS in Biology, Charles University, Prague (2016)
Research interests: My scientific interest lies in the evolution of traits that have profound effects on individuals and can shape the trajectory of entire lineages. During my Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, I focused on brain size evolution in birds. For my PhD, I turned to environmental sex determination (ESD), particularly in geckos. The diversity of sex-determining systems across species continues to fascinate me, and now I have the unique opportunity to explore ESD in turtles!
Research interests: My scientific interest lies in the evolution of traits that have profound effects on individuals and can shape the trajectory of entire lineages. During my Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, I focused on brain size evolution in birds. For my PhD, I turned to environmental sex determination (ESD), particularly in geckos. The diversity of sex-determining systems across species continues to fascinate me, and now I have the unique opportunity to explore ESD in turtles!
For fun: I love hiking, exploring new places, and discovering good stories—whether in books, films, games, or conversations with friends.
For fun: I love hiking, exploring new places, and discovering good stories—whether in books, films, games, or conversations with friends.
Valeria Morales Ciriaco (she/they)
Valeria Morales Ciriaco (she/they)
From: Originally from Peru, but a Connecticut local for 18 years
From: Originally from Peru, but a Connecticut local for 18 years
Academics: PhD student at Wesleyan University
Academics: PhD student at Wesleyan University
Research interests: Generally, I would like to understand the inner workings of the reproductive system to further educate the public and fix the sex bias in research. I would like to specifically understand the mechanisms involved with germ cell determination. Currently, I am investigating how germ cells position themselves in the gonad depending on their incubation temperature.
Research interests: Generally, I would like to understand the inner workings of the reproductive system to further educate the public and fix the sex bias in research. I would like to specifically understand the mechanisms involved with germ cell determination. Currently, I am investigating how germ cells position themselves in the gonad depending on their incubation temperature.
For fun: Outside of lab, my passions span across different genres. I enjoy practicing my flute and partaking in a myriad of hobbies. Currently, I am enjoying bouldering, hiking, and music.
For fun: Outside of lab, my passions span across different genres. I enjoy practicing my flute and partaking in a myriad of hobbies. Currently, I am enjoying bouldering, hiking, and music.
Jamie Willoughby (he/him)
Jamie Willoughby (he/him)
From: Los Angeles, California.
From: Los Angeles, California.
Academics: Undergraduate at Wesleyan University ('27)
Academics: Undergraduate at Wesleyan University ('27)
Research interests: I am interested in how specialized immune cells called macrophages impact the early gonad’s differentiation into an ovary or testis. My research tracks the appearance and proliferation of macrophages in the gonad, interactions with other gonadal cell types and changes in macrophage gene expression. My primary questions are (1) do macrophages remodel the bipotential gonad, and (2) do macrophages have a regulatory relationship with germ cells.
Research interests: I am interested in how specialized immune cells called macrophages impact the early gonad’s differentiation into an ovary or testis. My research tracks the appearance and proliferation of macrophages in the gonad, interactions with other gonadal cell types and changes in macrophage gene expression. My primary questions are (1) do macrophages remodel the bipotential gonad, and (2) do macrophages have a regulatory relationship with germ cells.
For fun: My passions are reading, surfing and learning Spanish.
For fun: My passions are reading, surfing and learning Spanish.
Stella M. A. Tollis (she/her)
Stella M. A. Tollis (she/her)
From: Montclair, New Jersey
From: Montclair, New Jersey
Academics: Undergraduate at Wesleyan University ('27)
Academics: Undergraduate at Wesleyan University ('27)
Research interests: I have always been fascinated by developmental biology, and I think the concept of stem cells going through all sorts of fundamentally specifying modulations to become distinct operational units is absolutely amazing. I am especially interested in understanding what happens at the molecular level to achieve the different patterns of gene expression necessary for cellular differentiation. In the Tezak lab, I am studying a population of thermosensitive steroidogenic cells that are associated with the male developmental pathway.
Research interests: I have always been fascinated by developmental biology, and I think the concept of stem cells going through all sorts of fundamentally specifying modulations to become distinct operational units is absolutely amazing. I am especially interested in understanding what happens at the molecular level to achieve the different patterns of gene expression necessary for cellular differentiation. In the Tezak lab, I am studying a population of thermosensitive steroidogenic cells that are associated with the male developmental pathway.
For fun: I love to be outside, whether that be through rowing crew, going on runs and hikes, or skiing and snowshoeing in the wintertime. I also enjoy painting (mostly acrylic) and sketching with oil pastel.
For fun: I love to be outside, whether that be through rowing crew, going on runs and hikes, or skiing and snowshoeing in the wintertime. I also enjoy painting (mostly acrylic) and sketching with oil pastel.
Scarlett Albertson (she/her)
Scarlett Albertson (she/her)
From: Brooklyn, New York
From: Brooklyn, New York
Academics: Undergraduate at Wesleyan University ('28)
Academics: Undergraduate at Wesleyan University ('28)
Research interests: I'm particularly interested in germ cell biology. My research has been focused on investigating the role of germ granules in cellular function and in exploring the potential capacity of germ cell identity to dictate gonadal fate. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career as a MD/PhD in the field in gynecological oncology.
Research interests: I'm particularly interested in germ cell biology. My research has been focused on investigating the role of germ granules in cellular function and in exploring the potential capacity of germ cell identity to dictate gonadal fate. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career as a MD/PhD in the field in gynecological oncology.
For fun: Outside of lab, I enjoy my role as artistic director of Wes Arabesque, Wesleyan’s ballet club, and love volunteering at the Middlesex Health Cancer Center as often as I can.
For fun: Outside of lab, I enjoy my role as artistic director of Wes Arabesque, Wesleyan’s ballet club, and love volunteering at the Middlesex Health Cancer Center as often as I can.
Noah Huckman (he/him)
Noah Huckman (he/him)
From: Newton, Massachusetts
From: Newton, Massachusetts
Academics: Undergraduate at Wesleyan University ('29)
Academics: Undergraduate at Wesleyan University ('29)
Research interests: Within the broader field of temperature-dependent sex determination, I am interested in germ cell differences as a possible intermediary between temperature and sex. My research question has to do with whether apoptosis (or cell death) is responsible for the differences in the number of germ cells between the female and male temperatures.
Research interests: Within the broader field of temperature-dependent sex determination, I am interested in germ cell differences as a possible intermediary between temperature and sex. My research question has to do with whether apoptosis (or cell death) is responsible for the differences in the number of germ cells between the female and male temperatures.
For fun: In my free time, I love to do digital photography, cook, and play frisbee.
For fun: In my free time, I love to do digital photography, cook, and play frisbee.
Lab Alumni
Meera Pawale (she/her)
August Gardyne (they/them)
Nicky Wang (he/him)
Brandon Wong (he/him)
Keith Carreras (he/him)