Alison Pischedda

Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
​Barnard College, Columbia University
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology from Queen's University. I then completed a Master of Science at Queen's with Adam Chippindale, a PhD at the University of California, Santa Barbara with Bill Rice, and postdoctoral work with Tom Turner at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I joined the Barnard faculty as an Assistant Professor in 2017.

At Barnard, I teach the Animal Behavior lecture and lab courses (BIOL BC2280/2281), and the combined Guided Research & Seminar/Senior Thesis Research course in Biology (BIOL BC3591-2/3593-4).

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 until she graduated with a BA in Biology. She is now a Laboratory Specialist in the Barnard Biology Department, where she teaches in 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 is conducting research in the lab as part of SRI 2021, and will be completing an independent Biology Guided Research & Seminar project in the lab next year 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 is conducting research in the lab in the lab as part of SRI 2021 and will be completing an independent Biology Senior Thesis project next year studying intralocus sexual conflict. Olivia is a New Student Orientation Leader, 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 is conducting research in the lab as part of SRI 2021 and will be completing an independent Environmental Science Senior Thesis project next year studying the evolution of male mate choice. Prior to her work in the lab, Avigayil was a student intern at the Columbia University Earth Institute, where she helped 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) and an Advising Fellow with Matriculate. ​

​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 Bio Dept
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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: Medical Scribe, CityMD Urgent Care