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
Rosie Bai
PhD Student
Rosie (any pronouns) is a PhD student in Environmental Studies at NYU. Her research focuses on animal behavior, human-wildlife coexistence, and how animals respond to environmental change in human-modified landscapes. Her current research centers on the behavioral and spatial ecology of large carnivores, particularly how changes in habitat and human activity shape wildlife behavior and species interactions. Along the way, Rosie has worked with Amur tigers and leopards in Northeast China, songbirds in central Minnesota, migratory birds in southern Spain, and pumas and guanacos in Patagonia. Prior to NYU, Rosie received her B.A. in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Macalester College. Outside of research, Rosie enjoys contemporary dance and is a freelance stage and production manager.
Grace McGuigan
Junior Laboratory Associate
Grace McGuigan is a post-baccalaureate researcher in the Monk Lab who supports multiple projects in the lab, including our research on urban pollinator connectivity and on the impacts of wildlife on soil carbon. 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.
Maximiliano Ayala
Assistant Research Scientist
Maximiliano Ayala (he/him) is a post-baccalaureate researcher with a focus on urban ecology and animal population modeling. He is working in the Monk and Roddy Labs 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. He first joined the lab as an NYU undergrad and has continued to develop his research projects as a lab associate post-graduation. 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
Sustainability Undergraduate Research Assistant
Micah Sagar is an undergraduate researcher studying how urban green spaces and landscape architecture impact avian biodiversity in New York City. She also assists with pollinator monitoring in the East Village and around NYU’s campus.
Mariana Udinovich
Field Biologist and Project Manager
Mariana is a licensed biologist (University of Córdoba, Argentina, 2018) who works in wildlife research and conservation, with experience conducting field studies and monitoring a variety of species and environments. She has been collaborating with us for several years and now serves as a field biologist and project manager for the lab coordinating multiple research projects taking place in Argentine Patagonia. Outside of work, she enjoys drawing and painting with watercolors and getting lost in a good book with a cup of tea.
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. Her favorite foods are carrots and cucumbers.
George Eneda
Master’s Student
George is a master’s student in Animal Studies/Environmental Studies at NYU interested in urban ecology, animal behavior, and human-wildlife interactions. His research interests focus on how animals respond to urbanization and human-modified environments, including changes in movement, behavior, and wildlife health. Prior to NYU, George developed experience in ecology and environmental research and earned his B.S. from Cornell University. He is continuing to build his skills in ecological modeling, sequencing, and spatial approaches.
Jorge Gómez
Wildlife Veterinarian and Project Manager
Jorge is a veterinarian who graduated from the University of Buenos Aires in 2010. Over the past decade, Jorge has dedicated his career to wildlife medicine and biodiversity conservation, participating in predator monitoring programs and endangered species reintroduction initiatives. He is part of the research team working as a field technician and, together with Marian, managing our research projects throughout Argentine Patagonia. He thoroughly enjoys working outdoors in nature and, in his free time, stays active through sports and physical exercise.
FORMER lab members
Master’s Students
Travis Phulnauth - M.A. in Animal Studies 2025 (Currently: Volunteer Coordinator, Westchester Parks Foundation)
Undergraduate Researchers
Neo Ng - Sustainability Undergraduate Research Assistant 2025-2026 (Currently: Environmental Educator)
Tori Osmond - Environmental Studies Honors Thesis Student 2025 (Currently: Graduate Student, Loyola University Chicago)
Visiting Scholars
Luísa Genes - Visiting Ph.D. Student from Stanford 2025-2026 (Currently: Columbia Climate School Postdoctoral Fellow)
Seasonal Technicians
Alissa Kushner - Engineer/Technician 2025 (Currently: Laboratory Associate, Plant Futures Lab, NYU Environmental Studies)
Oona Spaeth - High School Intern 2025 (Currently: Undergraduate student, Columbia University)