Team - MCCARY LAB

Lab Members

Principal Investigator

Dr. Matt McCary

My research examines the fundamental drivers and constraints of soil biodiversity, specifically how diversity relates to food web dynamics, community and ecosystem responses to environmental disturbances, and the feedback loops between food webs and ecosystem functioning. There are three major questions I investigate: (1) What are the causes and consequences of plant invasions? (2) How do invasive species change soil biodiversity and associated ecosystem health? (3) How do fluctuating resources due to climate change affect the fundamental structure and functioning of ecosystems? To address these questions, I use an integrative approach that includes observational and experimental studies, ecological modeling, meta-analyses, and molecular techniques.

CV

Laboratory Staff

Iliana Moore

I’m Iliana (she/her), laboratory manager for the McCary lab at Rice University. I earned my B.A. in Biology from New College of Florida, where I conducted numerous research projects, including volunteering abroad with the Entomological Society of Latvia and completing an undergraduate thesis on isopods as an edible arthropod. After that, I earned an M.S. in entomology from the Ohio State University, focused on the effects of urban land cover on bumble bee genetics. My research interests broadly center on pollinator ecology and urban conservation of plants and insects.

At the McCary lab, I maintain our laboratory and supply spaces and work to support and streamline our ongoing research projects. I am also pursuing a project focused on whether maceration of invertebrate samples impacts the efficacy of the Chelex DNA extraction method. Outside of the lab, I read a lot of books and enjoy hiking, listening to music, making handcrafts, foraging, cooking, and cuddling with my cat.

Luis Muniz

I have an A.S in Engineering from San Jacinto Community College and as of Fall 2025 am doing my final year for my BS in Electrical Engineering at Lamar University. I gardened as a hobby for at least 3 years, getting hands-on experience with the germination and care of several plant and tree species before joining the team as a Research Technician. I have a deep love for nature and learning how to care for plants, animals, and fungi are something I'll never get tired of. My goal as a Research Technician is to learn and share my new understanding of the germination and care of our target plant species with both my team and whoever else would benefit from or be curious about our research.

Post Doctoral Scholars & Visiting Scholars

Saheed Jimoh

I am Saheed Olaide Jimoh, a Postdoctoral Associate in the McCary Lab, Department of Biosciences at Rice University. I am from Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. I earned my B.Agric in Pasture and Range Management and M.Agric in Pasture Production and Utilization from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria, and my Ph.D. in Utilization and Conservation of Grassland Resources from the Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in Beijing.

Broadly, my work focuses on four key areas 1) functional traits and plant adaptation to environmental conditions, 2) effects of resource availability on species composition and resilience, 3) biodiversity conservation, and 4) ecosystem processes. I examine these research areas across diverse ecosystems using a combination of experimental manipulations, observational studies, and modelling techniques. I use trait-based approaches to explore the functional roles of above- and belowground plant traits in shaping ecosystem processes. Recently, my work has expanded into microbial ecology, exploring how plant–microbe interactions influence ecosystem functioning and resilience in the context of plant invasion. By integrating field experiments and trait-based analyses, I aim to develop predictive insights into plant–soil–microbe relationships and their implications for ecosystem sustainability.

Before joining the McCary Lab, I completed an EPSCoR Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Botany at the University of Wyoming, where I focused on the belowground ecology of grasslands. At Rice, my research investigates how plant functional traits drive invasion across gradients of disturbance and resource availability, the effects of invasive root traits on soil food webs, and the links between root traits, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem dynamics. I am also involved in global collaborations such as sDiv, DRAGNet, and TraitDivNet, contributing to international efforts to advance grassland ecology and promote ecosystem sustainability.

Maryam Enteshari

I am a Visiting Research Scholar in the McCary Lab at Rice University, where my work focuses on developing sustainable solutions that connect food and agricultural systems. My current research explores repurposing dairy manufacturing byproducts as natural fertilizers, including the development of whey permeate gels to enhance soil health, crop yield, and overall agricultural sustainability. With over eight years of R&D experience in the food and beverage sector, I bring expertise in dairy science, nutritional formulation, and functional product innovation. I have worked extensively with advanced analytical methods such as chromatography, mass spectrometry, rheometry, particle size distribution analysis, and UV spectrophotometry to support both food and crop research. I am passionate about advancing circular economy practices and applying science-based approaches to promote human and environmental health.

I hold a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Dairy Science & Manufacturing) from South Dakota State University, where my research focused on process optimization and enzymatic pathways for dairy byproduct utilization. I also earned my M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Currently, I am pursuing an MBA at Rice University, focusing on business development, market strategy, and innovation management.

Outside of research, I enjoy walking, biking, playing tennis, painting, and cooking—activities that keep me active, creative, and balanced.

Graduate Students

Modeline Celestin

My name is Modeline Celestin and my pronouns are she/they. I am from Belle Glade, Florida, where our acclaimed motto is “Her soil is her fortune.” It occupies the unceded homelands of the Mayami, Seminole, and Taíno nations.

My broad research interests focus on exploring how belowground biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is affected by anthropogenic-induced climate change, whether that be modulated by biological invasion or soil-arthropod interactions.

My passion outside of research stems from amplifying the voices of historically underrepresented groups marginalized in the scientific community. My hobbies include thrifting and styling, playing tennis, watching anime, creating music playlists, and spending quality time with my pets.

Amoi Campbell

I am currently a doctoral student in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program in the Department of BioSciences at Rice University. I received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Howard University. During the first year of the pandemic I did a research fellowship at University of Pittsburgh. Much of the research I have done in the past has a few common threads: anthropogenic stress on plant-microbe-animal interactions, plant competition, and biological invasions.

Between my interest in plant ecology and love of learning soil methodologies, I found myself in the McCary Lab. I enjoy a mix of both lab and field work, as there is nothing like a gloved hand full of dirt. Growing up under the Florida sun, I spent a great deal of time outdoors. I suppose that became the foundation for who I am today. I am excited by urban ecology and environmental justice. I strive to be a part of a community of ecologists who holistically works to empower marginalized people and safeguard earth's natural systems. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, weekend afternoon naps, losing a day in the bookstore, hunting down vinyl records, and people watching.

Alex Jiménez-Martin
(co-advised by Dr. Tom Miller)

I earned a B.S in Biology at Industrial University of Santander in Colombia. For my undergraduate thesis I studied the phenology of Aiphanes graminifolia, an endangered, endemic palm species. I worked at the Botanical Garden in Santa Barbara, California where I sorted, and I took pictures of amazing arthropods. I am interested in plant phenology, mutualistic relationships, and how climate change impacts plants and arthropod communities.

I started the Rice's EEB Ph.D. program in the fall of 2023, and I am co-advised with Dr. Tom Miller.

Annie Finneran

My name on publications is Ann E. Finneran, but everyone calls me Annie. I am an ecology PhD student in the McCary Lab at Rice University in Houston, Texas and use the pronouns she/her. I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, USA and have loved the outdoors for as long as I can remember. I attended University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for my B.S. in Biology with a minor in Conservation Biology. During this time, I was able to participate in field courses to Channel Islands, USA and Cocha Cashu Field Station in Manú National Park in Peru, as well as explore National Parks and study abroad in New Zealand, learning about diverse ecosystems.

In my current research, I am interested in what drives patterns in species interactions and communities to inform conservation decisions. My work focuses on food webs as a glimpse into the health and biodiversity of an ecosystem, focused mainly on tropical systems. I am passionate about interdisciplinary science, I believe science is a space for everyone, with local knowledge crucial for understanding study systems. Besides research, I enjoy running, reading (send me book recommendations!), writing poetry, cooking or baking something new, and finding every excuse to be outside.

Website

Brooke Beardshall

Hi! My name is Brooke Beardshall (she/her). I am from Houston, Texas, and earned my B.S. in Bioenvironmental Sciences with a minor in Horticulture at Texas A&M University. Through my coursework, I was able to explore Texas ecosystems, insect interactions, plant pathology, and a healthy dose of floral design. While earning my degree, I first worked with the USDA-ARS and later in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, where my research focused on multitrophic interactions and how they are mediated by chemical cues above and below ground.

My curiosity about these interactions has steered my research interests toward belowground dynamics, specifically how anthropogenic disturbance changes native ecosystems and how invasive species take advantage of those changes. Alongside my research, I share the McCary Lab’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in science. I strive to help create a welcoming environment where people from all backgrounds feel valued, supported, and able to thrive in scientific careers.

Outside of research, I enjoy caring for my ever-growing collection of houseplants, spending time with my two cats (Smudge and Scribble), reading, guitar, and playing too many video games.

Undergraduate Researchers

Nicole Imming

I’m an undergraduate student at Rice University pursuing a B.S. in Astrophysics and a minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. In the McCary lab, I’m working to understand how heirloom and commercial sorghum differ in their resistance to aphid herbivory with the goal of developing sustainable management practices; I enjoy identifying arthropods, collecting biomass data, and performing DNA extractions. I have previously done lab work involving the identification of fungal endophytes and the development of 3D scans of fish scales.

Liza Plis

I’m an undergraduate student at Rice University pursuing a B.S. in Biosciences and a B.A. in Global Affairs. In the McCary Lab, I’m working to quantify taxonomic diversity and body size of soil arthropods in the tropical forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. I have previously done laboratory work involving biological control agents of cucurbit pests and Zophobas morio Styrofoam consumption. Finding new ways to communicate entomological research and making interdisciplinary connections makes me excited. Outside of research, I enjoy gardening, drawing, hiking, DJing for our student radio station, and writing poetry.

Lab Alumni

Anna Evans, 2024-2025
Lily Burdett, 2021-2025
Jeremy Pustilnik, Summer 2023
Ling DeBellis, Senior Thesis, 2022-2023
Ashley Fitzpatrick, Undergrad Researcher, 2022