Who we are

The Ostevik Lab is committed to fostering an open and collaborative environment for scientific discovery. 

We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Current Lab Members (in order of appearance)

Kate Ostevik

Assistant Professor (she/her)

Google Scholar / Research Gate / LinkedIn

Kate is the principal investigator of the Ostevik Lab. She is interested in all things evolution, especially how new flowering plant species arise!

Email her: kostevik@ucr.edu

Rebeca Hernández Gutiérrez

Postdoctoral Scholar

Google Scholar

Rebeca is interested in evolution, especially in how flowering plants diversify in number and form at macro- and microevolutionary scales

Email her: rebecahe@ucr.edu

danielle Marcelin-stone

Undergraduate Researcher (she/her)

Danielle is interested in evolutionary biology and genetics. She is currently studying as a biology major on the Pre-med track with a feminist studies minor and is looking to take her career in a more research focused pathway.

alana Yamauchi

Undergraduate Researcher (she/her)

Alana is interested in genetics and genetic variation between different organisms. She is a biochemistry major, with an emphasis on premed, and is currently working towards a minor in computer science.


Natthinee sutJaitham

Undergraduate Researcher

My interest in studying life processes in molecular terms drives me to pursue a Biochemistry major. My main interests are how the body works and how humans evolved from primitive species to dominant creatures of the planet. I also enjoy observing local flowering plants, collecting, and dissecting flower specimens.

ALondra Ramirez

Undergraduate Researcher

Alondra is interested in genetics and molecular biology. She is currently studying as a Biology major on the Pre-med route and is looking forward to continue learning more about the field of research.

Kenny NGUYEN

Undergraduate Researcher

Kenny is interested in how the biology of life adjusts to acclimate various localities in plants. As a Bio-chemistry major on the pre-med track, he wants to take his experiences to develop new interests in evolutionary Biology. He also enjoys watching his mom plant new vegetables.

Rajesh Neupane

PhD Student

Rajesh is interested in understanding gene-environment interaction (G X E) and its application in climate-resilient agriculture.

Brennan Silva

PhD Student

Brennan is interested in evolutionary genetics, including topics of speciation, and chromosome evolution. He is excited to begin exploring these questions in flowering plants like sunflowers and Clarkia.

Joanna Fuerte

Undergraduate Researcher

I'm interested in evolutionary ecology, especially in plants and fungi. I'm excited to expand my knowledge and study interests as an undergrad. In my free time, I like to rewatch shows and journal.

Aurora cullen

Undergraduate Researcher

Aurora is interested in the effects of climate change on wildlife and how organisms can adapt to rising temperatures. She is a 4th year Biology Major working towards a career in conservation and wildlife biology.

Rhiena Oliveira

Undergraduate Researcher

Rhiena (Rey-na) is interested in genetics which drives her interest to learn more about genes and understand their various effects in different species. She is currently a fourth year biology major with a desire to attend a masters program in genetic counseling. Rhiena is excited to learn more about genetics through an evolutionary lens. 

Joshua Alexis

Undergraduate Researcher

Joshua is interested in the passage of genetic diseases and disorders within various species of plants and animals. He is eager to keep an open mind and develop new interests and experiences in the biological sciences. Currently is a fourth-year Biology major working towards a career in genetic counseling.

Linlin Liu

Undergraduate Researcher

Linlin is a fourth-year Statistics major and is interested in genetics and bioinformatics. She is excited to explore and learn more about life science research and hopes to pursue a graduate degree in biostatistics or bioinformatics.

Mariana Moreno

Visiting Undergraduate Researcher

I am interested in learning more about evolutionary biology. As a chemical engineering major on the pre-med track, I want to expand and explore my interest in Biology. I'm excited to explore new interests and the field of research.

Brinda Avadhanam

Summer Research Volunteer

Brinda is interested in microbiology, evolution, and genetics. She is currently a junior in high school. She is excited to explore research and lab work in the genetics field.

Monique Marquez

Visiting Undergraduate Researcher

Monique is interested in botany and mycology. She is currently in her fourth year studying as a Biology major. In her free time, she loves to take care of her strawberry patch.

Previous Lab Members

Samad KAMRAN

2022-2023 - Undergraduate Researcher

Kathy Le

2020-2021: Research Assistant

Harshini Lakshminarayanan

2021: Summer Research Intern

Banner photo: Penstemon collecting trip in the Sierra Mountains, CA. Photo by Kimmy Stanton.