Principal Investigator
Rae E. McNeish, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
9001 Stockdale Hwy
Mailstop 61 SCI 1
Bakersfield, CA 93311
Email: rae.mcneish@gmail.com
Office: Science I Rm: 118
Telephone: 661.654.2568
Explore CV, Research, Teaching, and Publications for more information.
You can find me on Research Gate and Twitter via @RaeMcNeish.
Current and interested students should check out the Opportunities and Resources pages!
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
9001 Stockdale Hwy
Mailstop 61 SCI 1
Bakersfield, CA 93311
Email: rae.mcneish@gmail.com
Office: Science I Rm: 118
Telephone: 661.654.2568
Explore CV, Research, Teaching, and Publications for more information.
You can find me on Research Gate and Twitter via @RaeMcNeish.
Current and interested students should check out the Opportunities and Resources pages!
Graduate Students
Jonathan Juarez
Jonathan is first-generation graduate who received his B.S. in Biology from CSU Bakersfield in 2022. He is currently pursuing his M.S. in Biology at CSU Bakersfield. His graduate research is focused on leaf decomposition of native and invasive species in aquatic ecosystems and their impacts on macroinvertebrate communities. His research has been funded in part by the Title Vb: Graduate Collaborative Research Program. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career at a government agency in monitoring aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
LinkedIn
Jonathan is first-generation graduate who received his B.S. in Biology from CSU Bakersfield in 2022. He is currently pursuing his M.S. in Biology at CSU Bakersfield. His graduate research is focused on leaf decomposition of native and invasive species in aquatic ecosystems and their impacts on macroinvertebrate communities. His research has been funded in part by the Title Vb: Graduate Collaborative Research Program. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career at a government agency in monitoring aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
Undergraduate Students
Tagacy Valdez
I am a first-generation college student majoring in Human Biology. During my time in the lab, I have helped with several ongoing projects that have allowed me to learn more about plastic pollution and macroinvertebrates. I joined the lab in hopes of expanding my knowledge and skills in the field of research, since this is something I would want to do in my future career. I am also conducting research in plant anatomy looking at leaf vessel diameter and length in several woody species.
I am a first-generation college student majoring in Human Biology. During my time in the lab, I have helped with several ongoing projects that have allowed me to learn more about plastic pollution and macroinvertebrates. I joined the lab in hopes of expanding my knowledge and skills in the field of research, since this is something I would want to do in my future career. I am also conducting research in plant anatomy looking at leaf vessel diameter and length in several woody species.
Mason Christian
Mason is pursuing his B.S. in Biology at CSUB with the aspiration of becoming a professor after furthering his education. His motivation for joining the lab stemmed from wanting to learn more about the process of conducting research and the effects of anthropogenic activities on aquatic habitats. While assisting with data collection, research preparation, macroinvertebrate identification, and field sampling, he has enjoyed collaborating with other like-minded students and building connections. Combining his love for art and science has also been a passion of his, as he works on a science-based children’s book that focuses on tide pool ecosystems.
Mason is pursuing his B.S. in Biology at CSUB with the aspiration of becoming a professor after furthering his education. His motivation for joining the lab stemmed from wanting to learn more about the process of conducting research and the effects of anthropogenic activities on aquatic habitats. While assisting with data collection, research preparation, macroinvertebrate identification, and field sampling, he has enjoyed collaborating with other like-minded students and building connections. Combining his love for art and science has also been a passion of his, as he works on a science-based children’s book that focuses on tide pool ecosystems.
Emily Pantoja
Field and Lab Technicians
Alexandra Brown
Lex is a Bakersfield native, who graduated from CSUB in 2022 with her B.S. Biology. In the future, she plans to earn her MS and PhD to ultimately pursue a career research professorship. As a female minority with a disability, she hopes to increase representation of individuals who are underrepresented in aquatic sciences. She is interested in understanding the quantities, composition, and biological effects of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles being ingested by marine organisms, as well as finding and implementing solutions for reducing the amount of plastic pollution affecting our natural environments.
LINKS: CV, LinkedIn, Twitter
Lex is a Bakersfield native, who graduated from CSUB in 2022 with her B.S. Biology. In the future, she plans to earn her MS and PhD to ultimately pursue a career research professorship. As a female minority with a disability, she hopes to increase representation of individuals who are underrepresented in aquatic sciences. She is interested in understanding the quantities, composition, and biological effects of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles being ingested by marine organisms, as well as finding and implementing solutions for reducing the amount of plastic pollution affecting our natural environments.
LINKS: CV, LinkedIn, Twitter
Adriana Gutierrez
Adriana is a first-generation college student and has earned her B.S. degree in Biology at CSUB. She joined the lab because she is passionate about the environment and wanted to expand her knowledge on the environmental effects caused by microplastics. She is an active member of the Bring Back the Kern organization and works as a substitute at the McFarland Unified School District. She plans to earn her Master's degree and pursue a career in the medical field.
Adriana is a first-generation college student and has earned her B.S. degree in Biology at CSUB. She joined the lab because she is passionate about the environment and wanted to expand her knowledge on the environmental effects caused by microplastics. She is an active member of the Bring Back the Kern organization and works as a substitute at the McFarland Unified School District. She plans to earn her Master's degree and pursue a career in the medical field.
Alumni Lab Members
Amy Fetters
Amy successfully completed her M.S. in Biology at CSUB and defend her thesis in Summer 2022. She came to us after finishing her B.S. in Biology at Loyola University Chicago. Her research is focused on understanding the pathways of anthropogenic litter and microplastic transport and associated fate across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Her research activities were funded by CSU COAST Graduate Student Research Award and CSUB Student Research Scholarship programs. After graduating with her M.S., Amy is interested in gaining practical work experience in water quality monitoring and water resource management at a private or government regulatory agency.
Links: CV
Amy successfully completed her M.S. in Biology at CSUB and defend her thesis in Summer 2022. She came to us after finishing her B.S. in Biology at Loyola University Chicago. Her research is focused on understanding the pathways of anthropogenic litter and microplastic transport and associated fate across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Her research activities were funded by CSU COAST Graduate Student Research Award and CSUB Student Research Scholarship programs. After graduating with her M.S., Amy is interested in gaining practical work experience in water quality monitoring and water resource management at a private or government regulatory agency.
Links: CV
Kaitlin Macaranas
Kaitlin graduated with her B.S. in Biology at CSUB. She is interested in learning more about aquatic ecology and has a biomedical interest. Kaitlin is currently conducting research to understand environmental factors that impact atmospheric deposition of microplastics. Her research activities were funded by the CSU COAST Undergraduate Research and NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation programs. She also volunteers at Wind Wolves Preserve to help remove invasive plants and monitor species populations in Bakersfield.
LINKS: CV
Kaitlin graduated with her B.S. in Biology at CSUB. She is interested in learning more about aquatic ecology and has a biomedical interest. Kaitlin is currently conducting research to understand environmental factors that impact atmospheric deposition of microplastics. Her research activities were funded by the CSU COAST Undergraduate Research and NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation programs. She also volunteers at Wind Wolves Preserve to help remove invasive plants and monitor species populations in Bakersfield.
LINKS: CV
Natalie Nunez
Natalie is a first-generation college student and graduated B.S. in Biology at CSUB. Natalie is interested in learning about and researching the effects that microplastics have on the environment and wildlife. One of the biggest reasons why Natalie decided to join the McNeish lab was because we love to do research and its interesting! Natalie wants to branch out into research while at CSUB, and use her research skills as a foundation for her future career goals that include getting her Masters after graduation.
Natalie is a first-generation college student and graduated B.S. in Biology at CSUB. Natalie is interested in learning about and researching the effects that microplastics have on the environment and wildlife. One of the biggest reasons why Natalie decided to join the McNeish lab was because we love to do research and its interesting! Natalie wants to branch out into research while at CSUB, and use her research skills as a foundation for her future career goals that include getting her Masters after graduation.
Magaly Avalos
Magaly graduated with her B.S in Biology at CSUB. Biology has always interested her, even more so now considering the impacts that climate change is having on all forms of life on Earth. Magaly joined this lab in hopes to learn more about the effects that microplastic has on aquatic life, as well as gain more knowledge on lab ethics.
Magaly graduated with her B.S in Biology at CSUB. Biology has always interested her, even more so now considering the impacts that climate change is having on all forms of life on Earth. Magaly joined this lab in hopes to learn more about the effects that microplastic has on aquatic life, as well as gain more knowledge on lab ethics.
Karina Perez
Karina graduated with her B.S. in Biology at CSUB. She is interested in learning more about plastic pollution and solutions to reducing plastic use. She is currently working on a research project to understand how food consumption is linked to microplastics. Her research activities were funded by the Sigma Xi Grants in Aid Research, NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and CSUB Student Research Scholarship programs.
Karina graduated with her B.S. in Biology at CSUB. She is interested in learning more about plastic pollution and solutions to reducing plastic use. She is currently working on a research project to understand how food consumption is linked to microplastics. Her research activities were funded by the Sigma Xi Grants in Aid Research, NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and CSUB Student Research Scholarship programs.
Alyson Gil
Alyson is pursued her B.S. in Biology at CSUB. She assisted with research projects that focus on the impacts plastic pollution has on freshwater habitats. Alyson is interested in learning more about conservation biology and climate change. She has also volunteered at CALM and Wind Wolves Preserve.
Alyson is pursued her B.S. in Biology at CSUB. She assisted with research projects that focus on the impacts plastic pollution has on freshwater habitats. Alyson is interested in learning more about conservation biology and climate change. She has also volunteered at CALM and Wind Wolves Preserve.
Reina De Leon
Reina is worked towards her B.A. in Human Biological Sciences at CSUB. She is interested in microplastics, plastic pollution, and ecology. Additionally, Reina is interested in healthcare and has a Medical Assistant certification. Currently, she is assisting on research projects involving microplastics in freshwater habitats.
Reina is worked towards her B.A. in Human Biological Sciences at CSUB. She is interested in microplastics, plastic pollution, and ecology. Additionally, Reina is interested in healthcare and has a Medical Assistant certification. Currently, she is assisting on research projects involving microplastics in freshwater habitats.
Dwight Ortiz
Dwight worked towards his B.S. in Engineering Sciences at CSUB. His research was focused on understanding the connections between fish species traits and microplastic abundance in fish communities. His research activities were funded by the Sigma Xi Grants in Aid Research, NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and CSUB Student Research Scholarship programs.
Dwight worked towards his B.S. in Engineering Sciences at CSUB. His research was focused on understanding the connections between fish species traits and microplastic abundance in fish communities. His research activities were funded by the Sigma Xi Grants in Aid Research, NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and CSUB Student Research Scholarship programs.
Antonio Mateiro
Antonio worked towards his B.S. in Biology at CSUB. His interests centered on ecology and anthropogenic pollution. Antonio primarily assisted fellow lab members on research projects focused on anthropogenic litter in rivers and atmospheric deposition of microplastics.
Antonio worked towards his B.S. in Biology at CSUB. His interests centered on ecology and anthropogenic pollution. Antonio primarily assisted fellow lab members on research projects focused on anthropogenic litter in rivers and atmospheric deposition of microplastics.
Dulce Sepulveda
Dulce is pursued her B.S. in Biology at CSUB focused on Clinical Laboratory Sciences. She is interested in being involved in ecology and is part of one of the first cohorts at CSUB to be part of the NSME STEM Pathways program. While part of the lab, Dulce is worked on research projects to identify microplastic abundance in freshwater and terrestrial habitats.
Dulce is pursued her B.S. in Biology at CSUB focused on Clinical Laboratory Sciences. She is interested in being involved in ecology and is part of one of the first cohorts at CSUB to be part of the NSME STEM Pathways program. While part of the lab, Dulce is worked on research projects to identify microplastic abundance in freshwater and terrestrial habitats.
Emma Gillian
Emma switched her undergraduate major to Biology at CSUB. While part of the lab, Emma worked on a microplastic project to understand microplastic abundance in rivers during rain events. She also volunteered at Adventist Health Bakersfield and Rio Bravo Cancer Center.
Emma switched her undergraduate major to Biology at CSUB. While part of the lab, Emma worked on a microplastic project to understand microplastic abundance in rivers during rain events. She also volunteered at Adventist Health Bakersfield and Rio Bravo Cancer Center.
