Postdoc
Matías Muñoz
Postdoc email Personal Website
I am broadly interested in animal behavior and communication, particularly through sounds and vibrations. During my PhD in the Netherlands, I focused on the ecology and evolution of vocal systems across frogs, birds and mammals. In my postdoctoral research at Oklahoma State University, I will investigate frog metabolism and its impact on calling performance in tree frogs.
Graduate Students
Himidu Pitigala Arachchilage
PhD Student email
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in applied sciences from the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and joined the Reichert lab to peruse research on amphibian communication. I’m interested in inheritance and evolution of behavioral traits in Anurans. My current research focuses on genetic and non-genetic factors affecting acoustic communication in treefrogs.
Alejandro Marcillo-Lara
PhD Student email
Alejandro joined the lab in Fall 2021 and is developing a project on amphibian bioacoustics.
Kaleb Banks
PhD Student email
Kaleb will be working on a study of the status of crawfish frogs in Oklahoma, using acoustic monitoring techniques.
Rachel Jacks
PhD Student email
I received my bachelor’s in biology from Colorado State University, where I studied the mechanisms female frogs utilize to locate male conspecifics. My research in the Reichert lab will focus on individual variation in physiology that leads to differences in the communication behavior of anurans.
Natalie Mitchell
MS Student email
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in environmental biology at Oklahoma State University, Go Pokes! I am joining the Reichert lab to continue my learning and research on animal behavior.
Undergraduate Researchers
Alyssa Stockebrand
Undergraduate researcher
I am majoring in Wildlife and Ecology Management as I have always had a passion for the outdoors. I love all kinds of animals, but I grew up catching frogs and snakes around my neighborhood, so I have really enjoyed recording and catching frogs this field season. I am also excited to continue to help analyze data and gain more research experience.
Ana Frost
Undergraduate researcher
Major: Zoology
Minor: Neuroscience
About Me: I married my husband in 2023, and we have 2 dogs, 2 cats, a ball python, and a pacman frog! I love horror/thriller movies and tv shows.
Research Interests: My interest lies primarily in animal welfare and behavior. I hope to one day conduct research within a zoo setting to ensure animals in captivity have the best husbandry/nutrition/enrichment.
Ali Bruton
Undergraduate researcher
I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science In Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Biology & Natural Resource Ecology and Management. I am also pursuing minors in Zoology and Wildlife Ecology. I have always been passionate about the natural world, especially the animals that inhabit it and would love to work in conservation one day. I have had a blast working in the field with treefrogs over the summer and hope to gain more research experience in the future.
Lab alumni
Graduate Students:
Jonathan Albers, M.S. 2021
Bailee Augustino, M.S. 2022
Phoebe Will, M.S. 2024
Jain P.K., Ph.D. 2025
Post-baccalaureates:
Matthew Thompson (2023-2024) – participant in the ON-RaMP post-bac research program
Brendan Dehner (2024 – 2025) – participant in the ON-RaMP post-bac research program
Undergraduates:
Nicole Clapp (2018-2020) – Former Wentz Scholar and Honor’s thesis student, currently medical student at the University of Oklahoma.
Cheyenne Smith (2019-2020) – Former OK-LSAMP scholar studying whether male frogs are responsive to female chemical cues. Currently Ph.D. student at Auburn University.
A.J. Hager (2019-2021) – Former Honor’s thesis student, currently M.S. student in Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University.
Jacinda Berokoff (2019-2022) – Former Wentz scholar, currently DVM student at Oklahoma State University.
Jo Brown (2021-2022) – Field assistant and frog call analyst.
Madisen Brown (2019-2022) – Former Freshman research scholar and Honor’s thesis student.
Rachel Atherton (2019-2023) – Former Freshman research scholar.
Clarissa Gottfried (2021-2023) – Former feather and frog call analyst.
Cort Vanzant (2021-2024) – Former field assistant, currently PhD program in Mathematical Biology at Oregon State University.
Mason Miller (2021-2024) – Former Wentz Scholar and Honor’s thesis student, currently DVM student at Oklahoma State University.
Elena Lawson (2024) – Former research technician, currently M.S. student at Stephen F. Austin University.
Elena Liebl (2024) – Former research technician, currently post-bac in Lagniappe program at Louisiana State University.
Kennedy Funa (2022-2025) – Former Wentz scholar, currently hellbender technician in Georgia.
Kayleen Sugianto (2022-2025) – Former Niblack scholar, currently M.S. student at Oklahoma State University.
Research Assistant:
Dr. Iván de la Hera Fernández (2020-2021).
Click here for more information on how to join us.
Reichert Lab, December 2025, at Jain P.K.’s goodbye celebration. Michael Reichert, Kaleb Banks, Natalie Mitchell, Jain P.K., Rachel Jacks, Alyssa Stockebrand, Alejandro Marcillo, Himidu Pitigala.
Reichert lab gray treefrog squad 2024: Michael Reichert, Ivan Robledo, Levi Hanson, Jasmine Plata, Phoebe Will, Kayleen Sugianto, Elena Lawson, Olivia Morgan, Alejandro Marcillo, Jain P.K., Adriahna Blackburn, Emmon Blackburn, Elena Liebl, Himidu Pitigala. Photo by Owen Edwards.
Reichert lab and friends Fall 2023 celebration: Hande Acar, Cort Vanzant, Himidu Pitigala, Jain P.K., Alejandro Marcillo, Owen Edwards, Michael Reichert, Mason Miller, Clarissa Gottfried, Phoebe Will, Kennedy Funa, Kayleen Sugianto
Reichert Lab 