The Hua Lab
Jessica Hua
Professor
About me
I received my B.A. in Biology and Kinesiology (2008) from Southwestern University, my Ph.D. (2014) from the University of Pittsburgh, and did my postdoc (2014-2015) at Purdue University. Prior to moving to UW-Madison, from 2015-2022, I was an assistant and associate professor at Binghamton University and served as the Director for the Center for Integrated Watershed Studies.
I come from a refugee family, I love what I do, and feel so fortunate to have discovered a career path that allows me to have a platform to pay it forward by working to provide opportunities to others.
Outside of work, I love the outdoors and I am an avid reader. I've played sports all my life so I will take any opportunity to play or watch sports. Basketball will always be my favorite but Gaelic football, cycling, and pickleball are not far behind!
We are not currently recruiting graduate students.
Please check back in the Fall 2026
Current members
Updated Spring 2025
Post-doctoral researchers, Technicians, and Educators
Sana Zein-Sabatto
Dr. Zach Gajewski
Allison Dickman
Zach received his M.A. in Data Analysis and Applied Statistics in 2019 and PhD in Biological Sciences in 2021 from Virginia Tech. His research combines empirical and theoretical methods to understand environmental influences on disease dynamics and population trends.
Email: zgajewski@wisc.edu
Sana Zein-Sabatto (Technician) is a recent graduate with a B.S. in Biology from Rhodes College, in Memphis, TN. Her research interests range from wildlife conservation, amphibian disease ecology, GIS, and animal behavior. She is passionate about utilizing mixed methods to explore the natural world and in finding ways to enhance community engagement and cultural awareness.
Allison is a math teacher
and the Mathematics Department Chair at Madison Country Day- IB World School. She leads the IB High School, IB Middle Years Program, and IB Diploma Program.
As part of the NSF Research Experience for Teacher's program, Allison is collaborating with the lab to develop and implement math lesson plans using lab lab and field data.
PhD students
Isabela Velasquez
Isa is interested in disease ecology. She particularly interested in understanding factors that influence the biodiversity-disease relationship.
Email: velasquezgut@wisc.edu
Mary Campbell
Mary received her B.S. in Biology and English from SUNY Binghamton. She is interested in understanding how habitat structure interacts with global change to shape disease outcomes.
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Email: mcampbell32@wisc.edu
Eve Milusich
Eve received her B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in French Language and Literature from SUNY Binghamton. She will be studying PFAS contamination in aquatic ecosystems across the Ceded Territories in WI. This work will be in collaboration with the Toxicology Lab
Community-Ecotox Team
We aim to integrate a Socio-Cultural-Ecotox approach to understanding pollutant effects through genuine collaboration with our WI community partners
Diana Vera
I am first-generation Mexican student interested in climate justice and science accessibility that supports marginalized communities. I want to foster love and reconnection with nature in communities of color by working on decolonization of scientific education by overcoming socio-economic and language barriers, integrating TEK from Indigenous communities, and acknowledging experience outside of a professional setting as important forms of knowledge.
Alivia Arredondo
I am a senior studying Environmental Science, Conservation Biology and Indigenous studies. My interests lie in the decolonization of the sciences by integrating and holding all forms of knowledge to the same degree, such as TEK. In doing so, I hope to approach science in a holistic manner that stimulates kinships with the more than human world and creates an environment were communities of color thrive.
Alexis Cox
I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Botany and Conservation Biology. My focus is ethnobotany, but more specifically traditional and pre-colonial food systems. I am passionate about rebuilding our Black and Native communities through our relationships with the land and plant relatives up to community organizing. It is important to me that decolonization efforts through science collaborate with and are accessible to all communities.
Dr. Becca Honeyball
Becca joins us with six years of experience in community organizing, project management, and in respectful study of WI wetlands. She is dedicated to collaborative communication and practical science, with a zeal for connecting people to build stronger coalitions. During her PhD at UW Madison, Becca's research centered on ericoid mycorrhizal fungi in cranberry roots, exploring ecological biodiversity across managed and unmanaged systems. In addition to a passion for fieldwork, Becca brings expertise in hydroponic systems engineering, greenhouse management, sterile culture work, and mentorship of students.
Current Undergraduates students
Research Experience for Undergraduate Students
Yoyo Shi
Yoyo is a rising senior. Yoyo is interested in the intersection between community ecology and ecosystem ecology. Yoyo integrates field and modeling approaches to understand amphibian occupancy.
Madison Griepentrog
Madison is studying Conservation Biology, Global Health, and Environmental Studies. Her interests lie at the intersection of biodiversity, environmental health, and human health, with a particular focus on food security and community well-being.
Jasmine Shaffar
Jasmine is studying Botany and Conservation Biology. Her future goals include working in conservation and restoration of Central/South American rainforests, with a focus on conservation of amphibians. In her free time, she raises and breeds captive poison dart frogs from her own home to sell to fellow hobbyists.
Josiah Flores-Eldredge
I’m an undergraduate lab assistant and my goal is learn everything possible to be the best wildlife conservationist I can be :D.
Ethan Atkinson-Sherrill
I am a Wildlife Ecology and Genetics major looking to get into conservation genetics post graduation! My current role in the lab includes helping out with data analysis with our Friends of Amphibians program and other miscellaneous lab needs.
