Julia Monk
Principal Investigator; Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Julia Monk (she/her/ella) is an ecologist whose research focuses on understanding the role that animals play in ecosystem functioning, particularly in the context of global change. Prior to NYU, Julia was a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management at the University of California - Berkeley (2022-2024) and received her PhD from the Yale School of the Environment (2022). She is originally from New York City, and her family is from Argentina; her research is largely rooted in these two places she calls home. Outside of work, you can find her hiking, cyanotype printing, and going on adventures with her dog.
Email: j.monk [at] nyu.edu
NYU Faculty Page: https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/julia-monk.html
Grace McGuigan
Junior Laboratory Associate
Grace McGuigan is a post-baccalaureate researcher in the Monk Lab studying how small urban green spaces can provide habitat connectivity for pollinators. Their prior research focused on physiological plasticity in grassland invertebrates. Grace received a B.A. in Environmental Studies at Northeastern University (2023), and is now furthering their research experience before pursuing a PhD. Specifically, Grace is interested in community and behavioral ecology in coastal and freshwater environments. They grew up in New York City and are excited to be back after spending five years in Boston. In their free time, Grace enjoys camping, playing soccer, and visiting their family in Maine.
Alissa Kushner
Graduate Technician
Alissa is an artist and engineer working at the intersection of technology and the natural world. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Integrated Design and Media at NYU. In collaboration with the Plant Futures Lab, she is helping us design instruments for automated, non-invasive ecological sampling.
Maximiliano Ayala
Undergraduate Researcher
Maximiliano Ayala (he/him) is an undergraduate researcher with a focus on urban ecology and animal population modeling. He is working in the Monk Lab to investigate how micro-green spaces affect pollinator habitat connectivity. Max would like to help reframe human perceptions of the importance of urban wildlife habitats. Aside from research, he enjoys board games, community gardening, and trying to keep the peace in a household of 3 dogs and 1 mischievous cat.
Micah Sagar
Undergraduate Researcher
Micah Sagar is an undergraduate researcher assisting with biodiversity monitoring in urban green spaces in the East Village and around NYU’s campus.
Willa
Willa is responsible for team morale and making sure we achieve the appropriate balance between outdoor activity and naps. Willa splits her time between multiple lab groups in Environmental Studies, and is a frequent guest of the WATR-Lab at NYU Animal Studies. Her favorite foods are carrots and cucumbers.
FORMER lab members
Undergraduate Researchers
Tori Osmond - B.A. Honors Thesis Student 2025 (Currently: Intern, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation)
Seasonal Technicians
Oona Spaeth - High School Intern 2025 (Currently: Undergraduate student, Columbia University)