Alison Pischedda

Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
​Barnard College, Columbia University
I earned my BSc in Mathematics, my BSc (Honours) in Biology and my MSc in Biology from Queen's University. I then completed my PhD and postdoctoral work in Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I joined the Barnard faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology in 2017. I am also an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Neuroscience and Behavior at Barnard and the E3B Department at Columbia University.

Lab Members

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Olivia Anastasio
Lab Technician
MS, BA Clark University

Olivia joined the lab as our technician in November 2020. She earned a Bachelor's in Environmental Conservation & Biology from Clark University in 2019. She then completed her Master's in 2020 with Kate Mathis at Clark University studying the spatial distribution of Argentine ants. During her Master's Olivia worked as a Biostatistics TA and as a mentor with the Summer Bridge to Research (SBTR) Program at the University of California Riverside. 
Olivia Lab News
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Abigail Gutierrez
Biology Laboratory Specialist
BA Barnard College '20

Abby is a Pischedda Lab alum who worked in the lab from January 2018-May 2020 when she graduated with a BA in Biology. She is now a Laboratory Specialist in the Barnard Biology Department, where she teaches the introductory biology labs and assists with the introductory biology lecture series. Because she does not teach in the summer, Abby is able to help with our summer research, and we are thrilled to have her back! 
Abby Lab News

Mariel Correa-Maynard
Barnard College '22
​Major: Biology (Physiol & Organismal)

Mariel joined the lab as a sophomore in the Spring of 2020. She conducted research in the lab as part of SRI 2021, and is currently completing an independent Biology Guided Research & Seminar project studying the sensory basis of male mate choice. Mariel is a Barnard Student Admission Representative, a teacher for Columbia's Youth for Debate, and a member of Mujeres and BOSS.
Mariel Lab News
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Olivia Eliopoulos
Barnard College '22
​Major: Biology (Cellular & Molecular)

Olivia joined the lab as a sophomore in the Spring of 2020. She conducted research in the lab as part of SRI 2021 and is currently completing an independent Biology Senior Thesis project studying intralocus sexual conflict. Olivia is a New Student Orientation Leader, the Accessibility Director for Grey Matters Journal, a Genetics TA, and a Peer Tutor. She is also doing research on the genetic etiology of VACTERL Association.
Olivia Lab News
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Avigayil Lev
​Barnard College '22
​Major: Environmental Science

Avigayil joined the lab as a rising senior in the Summer of 2021. She conducted research in the lab as part of SRI 2021 and is currently completing an independent Environmental Science Senior Thesis project studying the evolution of male mate choice. Avigayil also works as a student intern at the Columbia University Earth Institute, where she helps facilitate their environmental and sustainable development initiatives. 

Grace Freed
​Barnard College '23
​Major: Biology (Cellular & Molecular)

Grace joined the lab (remotely!) as a sophomore in the Fall of 2020. She has been working in the lab in-person since Spring 2021 and helps with experimental setups and maintaining the fly populations. Grace is a member of the McIntosh Activities Council (McAC), an Advising Fellow with Matriculate, an Intro Bio TA and the social media chair for the Columbia Women's Club Soccer Team.
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Ashley Canizares
Barnard College '23
​Major: Biology (Physiol & Organismal)

Ashley joined the lab as a junior in the Fall of 2021. She is currently being trained to help maintain our fruit fly populations and help with experimental setups. Ashley is the Treasurer for the Columbia Pre-Veterinary Society.
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Ananya Lahiri 
Barnard College '24
​Major: Biology 

Ananya joined the lab as a sophomore in the Fall of 2021. She is currently being trained to help maintain our fruit fly populations and help with experimental setups. Ananya is a Scientific Review Editor for Grey Matters Journal and a member of GlobeMed. 

Isabella Martinez
Barnard College '24
​Majors: Biology + Gender Studies

Izzie joined the lab as a sophomore in the Fall of 2021. She is currently being trained to help maintain our fruit fly populations and help with experimental setups. Izzie is a member of the Barnard Outdoor Adventure Team (BOAT) and the Planned Parenthood Generation at Columbia.  

​Lab Alums

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Chelsea Sinclair (BC '21)
Major: Neuroscience & Behavior
In lab: Jan 2019-May 2021
Chelsea Lab News
​Post-grad: ​Clinical Data Analyst, Bronxcare Health Systems
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Holly Doig (BC '23)
Major: Physiological and Organismal Biology
In lab: Jan 2020-May 2020
Holly Lab News
​Currently: Undergrad Researcher, Nguyen Lab, Massachusetts General Hospital
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Abigail Gutierrez (BC '20)
Major: Biology
In lab: Jan 2018-May 2020
Abby Lab News
​Post-grad: Laboratory Specialist, Barnard College Biology Dept
Ana-Maria Rodriguez Cuadrado (BC '20)
Major: Biology
In lab: Sept 2018-May 2020
Ana-Maria Lab News
​Post-grad: Legal Assistant, The Hernan Law Firm
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Karolina Szenkiel (BC '22)
Major: Biology
In lab: Sept 2019-May 2020
Lina Lab News
​Currently: Undergrad Researcher, Lopatkin Lab, Barnard College
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Aneeza Asif (BC '21)
Major: Cellular and Molecular Biology
In lab: Sept-Dec 2019
​Post-grad: ​MS Student, Columbia University 
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Suriya Lisa (BC '19)
Major: Neuroscience & Behavior​
In lab: Feb 2018-May 2019
​Lisa Lab News
​Post-grad: MD Student, Georgetown University School of Medicine
Taylor Leong (BC '19)
Major: Biology​
In lab: Feb 2018-May 2019
​Taylor Lab News
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Stacy Kanellopoulos (BC '20)
Major: Spanish and Latin American Culture​
In lab: Feb-Dec 2018
​Stacy Lab News
Post-grad: Debt Capital Markets Analyst, MUFG
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Nushrat Chowdhury (BC '19)
Major: Biology
In lab: Feb-Dec 2018
​Nushrat Lab News
​Post-grad: PA Student, Stony Brook University Physician Assistant Program