People

Mackenzie Gerringer, PhD

Mackenzie Gerringer (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor at the State University of New York at Geneseo. Her research centers on the physiology and ecology of deep-sea animals, including the planet’s deepest-living fishes.

She earned her PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Hawaii in 2017 before working as a postdoctoral researcher at Friday Harbor Labs, University of Washington. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, she studied drivers of depth zonation in the hadal zone, depths ranging 6,000–11,000 meters, and the notable success of hadal snailfishes (family Liparidae).

Her research explores how fishes are adapted to life in the amazing pressures, cold temperatures, and eternal darkness of the deep-sea using comparative techniques in taxonomy, functional morphology, cellular physiology, energetics, age and growth studies, and diet analysis.

She has spent over 200 days at sea exploring the ocean’s depths with free-vehicle landers, ROVs, and submersibles. Her work has been covered by Science Magazine, National Geographic, Atlas Obscura, and a David Attenborough-narrated documentary by Japan’s national broadcasting company, NHK.

Dr. Gerringer is committed to education and science outreach, including through experience teaching as a Fulbright Fellow in Bremen, Germany and serving as an onboard scientist on NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer, narrating telepresence-enabled exploration of the deep sea. 

At SUNY Geneseo, she teaches Animal Physiology, Marine Biology, and Science Communication. 

Curriculum Vitae

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Chloe Kirgan

Chloe Kirgan is from Voorheesville, New York, and graduated from Clayton A. Bouton (Voorheesville High School). She is pursuing a double major in Biology (B.A.) and Adolescent Education with a minor in Chemistry. Chloe is also on the Geneseo cross country and indoor-outdoor track teams and the biology mentorship program. She plans on pursuing a graduate degree in ecology centered around climate change and eventually teaching middle school and AP biology.

Emily Spina

Emily Spina 24’ is from Bloomfield, NY and graduated from Bloomfield Central School. At Geneseo, she is earning a B.S. in Biology with a microcredential in Aquatic Biology. Emily is also a part of the women’s club LAX team and Great Outdoors Club. After college, Emily plans to continue onto grad school to further pursue wildlife biology and research CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) in wildlife out west.

Emily Wynne

Emily Wynne ’25 is from Long Island, NY and graduated from Eastport South Manor
Junior-Senior High School. At Geneseo, she is earning a B.S. in Biology with a minor in the
Edgar Fellows Honors Program. Emily is also the vice president of Running Club, a member of Gajjda Bhangra, and a Biome program mentor for the Biology Department. She also has previous research experience working on projects that entail molecular docking, protein crystallization, structural refinement, protein expression and purification. After college, Emily plans to continue on to grad school and pursue a career in research on climate and marine science.

Jacob Calus

Jake Calus ‘25, is from Rochester, NY and graduated from Churchville-Chili High School. At Churchville, Jake was a 2-time All-American diver as well as a member of the volleyball team and National Honor Society. At Geneseo, he is a Biology Major and continues to dive. After college, Jake wants to pursue a career in marine biology, with a focus on conservation. 

Ledis Coronna

Ledis Coronna ’25 is from Long Island, NY and graduated from Northport Hight School. At Northport, Ledis participated in track and field, she was the president of the Environmental club, president of the Multicultural club and she was one of the presidents from a humanitarian club called Students for 60,000. At Geneseo, she is earning her B.S. in Biology, and she is a GOLD mentor. After graduating, Ledis plans to pursue further education at a college of Veterinary Medicine. 

Louie D’Ambro

Previous Lab Members

Stephanie Billharz ’24

Ryan Bohen ’22

Kara Burke ’21

Arline Camilo Hernandez ’21

Kayla Cannon ’21

Julia Cappiello ’22

Kiersten Coates ’21

Alice Bea Dipzinski ’20

Patrick Flannery ’21

Lydia Fregosi ’21

Nikki Fuller ’22

Franchesca Gonzales ’21

Yumna Ismail ’21

Emily McMahon ’23

Griffin Meyer ’24

Allison North ’23

Jessica Palmeri ’21

Erin Patton ’22

AJ Petty ’23

Taylor Oleyourryk ’21

Gabriel Rosado ’22

Tristin Rose-Morley ’24

Abisage Sekarore ’25

Samantha Shepard ’23

Sarah Suplicz ’23

Omar Suri ‘20

Chryssanthi Tzetzis ’23

Brett Woodworth ’22