MICROBES AND ECOSYSTEMS
PEOPLE
ALLISON VEACH
Assistant Professor
Department of Integrative Biology
University of Texas at San Antonio
Office: FLN 4.02.30
email: allison.veach@utsa.edu
Pierce Lynch
PhD Student
Pierce joined the lab in spring 2024. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Psychology in 2014 and a BS in Environmental Studies from University of North Carolina Asheville in 2022. She worked as a plant pathology research technician at North Carolina State University for 2 years prior to joining the lab. Pierce's research is part of an Edwards Aquifer Authority grant focused on understanding how landscape mangement techniques in semi-arid landscapes impact soil health indicators and water infiltration.
Aimee Steinbrecher
PhD Student
Aimee joined the lab in 2022. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a BS in Environmental Science and Management in 2020. She has worked for Terracon Consultants as a Staff Scientist since 2021. Aimee's research is aimed at understanding how management can increase freshwater quality and natural resource conservation.
Mariana Vergara
M.S. Student
Mariana joined the lab in spring 2023. She graduated from the University of Incarnate Word in 2020 with a BS in Biology. She worked as a laboratory technician for an applied soils startup in Berkeley California prior to her joining the lab. Her research is supported by a DOE grant to track carbon flow in intermittent, urban rivers.
Abby Doderer
M.S. Student
Abby joined the lab as an undergraduate researcher in 2022. She graduated from UTSA with a BS in Microbiology & Immunology in 2023 and began her MS in Biology at UTSA in 2023. Her research is supported by an Edwards Aquifer Authority grant which aims to use constructed microbial metagenomes as state indicators in groundwater, which varies in influence from the contributing and recharge zone.
Amy Vester
MS Student
Amy joined the lab as an undergraduate researcher in 2023. She received her BS in Microbiology & Immunology in 2023 and began her MS in Biology in 2024. Amy will be evaluating the impact of oak wilt disease on the Texas Live Oak microbiome below and aboveground.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Graduated Lab Members
MEGAN SCHILL
Megan graduated with her M.Sc. in Environmental Science Fall 2022. She is currently a Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University.
CATERINA BEVERATI
Caterina graduate with her B.S. in Environmental Science Fall 2022. She is currently works as an analyst for TCEQ.
MICHELLE LE
Michelle received her B.S. in Microbiology in 2021. She is currently a graduate student at UTSA interested in med school.
SEBASTIAN GARCIA
Sebastian received his B.S. in Environmental Science in 2020. He currently works as a regulations analyst for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
