In the Goodheart Lab, our primary goal is to create a space that supports anyone with a genuine interest having fun doing science. In our lab, we focus on learning with a growth mindset and working collaboratively to do quality research and generate innovative ideas. We acknowledge that science is an activity performed within society, and as such is subject to the pressures and cultural ideologies perpetuated both within and outside of academia. The Goodheart Lab is an actively anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-xenophobia, anti-homophobia, anti-ableist space, and we welcome all folks willing to join us in this journey. Please check out our research and publications pages to see if your interests are a fit for the lab.
Current Members
PI - Dr. Jessica Goodheart
Assistant Curator/Assistant Professor Pronouns: she/her/hers PhD - University of Maryland, College Park, 2017 MS - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 2013 BS - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 2011 Email - CV - Anti-CV - Twitter - Github "Chihuahuas are the best dog breed." |
Laura Rincón Rodriguez
Museum Specialist for Malacology Pronouns: she/her/hers Master’s degree in museum studies, University of Florida, April 2022 Library and Information Science, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, Colombia. October 2013. Hello everyone! I am thrilled about the mutual learning we can generate between scientists and museum studies professionals in natural history collections. I am an advocate of active collections as places where we can reimagine and put into practice ideas and new models of collections work that can represent the collections professionals of the twenty-first century and current societal trends. I have a Collections Lit Club! Follow me on Twitter and keep an eye out for my monthly virtual discussions about collections management. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” --Maya Angelou |
Sofía Paz Sedano
Postdoc - Richard Gilder Graduate School Pronouns: She/her/hers Ph.D. in Biology, Evolutive Biology and Biodiversity at the Autonomous University of Madrid (Madrid, Spain) (2023) M.Sc. in Marine Biology, Biodiversity and Conservation at the La Laguna University (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) (2018) B.Sc. in Biology at the Autonomous University of Madrid (Madrid, Spain) (2016) Biologist in love with life and the sea. I am interested in the study of the biodiversity and evolution of mollusks, fascinated with nudibranchs in particular. Curious about what we don't know and how enchanting the world around us can be. “Life takes many turns but above all it is the turns that give a lot of life.” |
Yael Leshno Afriat
Lerner-Gray and Kalbfleisch Postdoctoral Research Fellow Pronouns: She/her/hers Ph.D. – Geology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Geological Survey of Israel, 2022 M.Sc. – Geology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Geological Survey of Israel, 2014 B.Sc. – Geology and Biology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 2011 "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics." |
Lina Marie Raubold
PhD Candidate - Richard Gilder Graduate School Pronouns: She/her/hers M.Sc. in Organismic Biology, Evolutionary Biology and Palaeobiology at the University of Bonn and the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change Bonn, Germany (2022) B.Sc. in Biology at the University of Düsseldorf and the Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz-Centre for Polar and Marine Research Bremerhaven, Germany (2019) Marine invertebrate enthusiast and excited to study all things sea slugs here at AMNH! Joyful DnD player, coffee lover and underwater explorer. “Imperfect is interesting!” |
Rebecca Lopez-Anido
PhD Student - Richard Gilder Graduate School Pronouns: she/her/hers B.A. | Biology and Environmental Studies | Wesleyan University (2021) Inspired by the odd and fascinating novelties found in marine invertebrates. Bookworm, climber, nature lover, and food-motivated scientist. “All that you touch you change. All that you change changes you.” - Octavia E. Butler |
River Bennett Abedon
Research Assistant Pronouns: he/him/his B.Sc. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University (2024) Scientist and writer energized by invertebrate zoology, biological oceanography, and science communication. Committed to finding the best sandwich in NYC. |
Lab Alumni
Dhanya Bharath
Visiting Graduate Student Pronouns: she/her/hers Master of Science - Evolutionary Biology - Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany and University of Montpellier, France (2023) Bachelor of Science - Biology - Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India (2020) Email - Twitter Passionate about evolution, behaviour and conservation. Can otherwise be found humming earworms, curled up with a book, or making new furry friends. "If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" |
Corinna Sickinger
Visiting PhD Candidate - University of Wuppertal Pronouns: she/her/hers M.Sc. in Organismic Biology, Evolutionary Biology and Palaeobiology at the University of Bonn and the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change Bonn, Germany (2019) B.Sc. in Biology at the University of Bonn, Germany (2017) I am interested in the sea slug Berghia stephanieae as a holobiont, exploring how the various symbionts—including photosymbionts, symbiotic bacteria, and fungi—interact and influence one another within the slug as their host. You'll probably find me in Central Park, sitting on a bench by the pool with a good book and a caramel iced coffee. |
REU Students
Emily Chrustek, Summer 2024
Asha Roberson, Summer 2024
Interns
Elizabeth Rodríguez Estrada, Spring 2024
Volunteers
Auguste Schmidt, Summer 2024
Emily Chrustek, Summer 2024
Asha Roberson, Summer 2024
Interns
Elizabeth Rodríguez Estrada, Spring 2024
Volunteers
Auguste Schmidt, Summer 2024