Current lab members

Meet the team!

Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D. (she/her)

I’m an assistant professor in Biology at Davidson College. I joined the department in Fall 2023. I teach Introductory Biology (with lab), Biostatistics, and Comparative Neuroendocrinology (CNE, new in Spring 2024!).

Riley Dodd (she/her), ‘25

I am a junior Biology major on the pre-med/health track. I am interested in neurodevelopment and am currently looking at comparing developmental expression of a vocal learning gene in cross-fostered finches.

Alex Meyers (she/her), ‘25

I am currently a junior at Davidson College, where I am studying Biology and Digital Studies. I am interested in wildlife biology and conservation, and I am currently researching parental behavior and care.

Mallie Roley (she/her), ‘25

I am a junior Biology major and Public Health minor and ultimately hope to work as a pediatrician. I am studying the interplay between genetics and vocal development in both humans and birds.

Aileen Valencia (she/her), ‘26

I am a sophomore pre-vet biology major. I am interested in wildlife conservation and veterinary research. In Dr.Baran’s lab I am researching the effects of cross-fostering on stress physiology.

Future student…

I am recruiting students for Fall 2024!