Michael Christopher LaScaleia:

If you can't tell from the demeanor of this website, I'm a fairly laid-back individual with a passion for ecology. I'm currently a postdoc at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard.
 
My passions in ecology are wide-ranging, and I think that's pretty obvious given the fact that my chosen study system (plants, caterpillars, and parasitoids) is secretly three systems galivanting as one. I'm hoping that someday my research in these systems will unlock the tools needed to fight invasive species, which I view as one of the largest environmental risks to New England, except, you know, all the other ones.

I grew up in Massachusetts, and am very excited that my current research allows me to study the ecosystem in which I grew up. When I'm not in a forest hunting for caterpillars or witch hazel trees, you can find me hiking, kayaking, or reading a fantasy novel.

​If you've come to this website for dirt on me, congrats on making it this far! To reward your efforts, here is where I'll plug my Goodreads account (warning, may contain hot takes).

To the right: I wasn't doing Ecology in Banff, but I sure was excited to enjoy some genuine Canadian Kraft Dinner

Theodore "Teddy" Marie Hirschhorn LaScaleia-Wilson:

At only 4 years old, Teddy is already an accomplished caterpillar researcher. His contributions to the tritrophic interactions team include smelling plants for recent canine activity, taste-testing muddy puddles of water, and aggressively rolling atop any stinky forest discoveries.

In addition to his profound impacts on the field of pinning bumblebees to the ground with your nose until they buzz and scare you, Teddy also claims the remarkable feat of being best friends with everyone in the world, especially those whom he has never met.

After his graduation, Teddy plans to move into the private sector, specifically in chicken & cheese mergers and treat acquisitions.

To the right: Despite not being able to read, Teddy will occasionally validate data entry (incorrectly recorded data smells different, I guess)