People
Lead PI
Mar Huertas, PhD.
Associate Professor Department of Biology
Dr. Huertas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Texas State University. She is an expert in fish physiology and endocrinology. Dr. Huertas research has focused on the fascinating world of olfaction and chemical communication in vertebrates, using fish as a model species. The primary area of research at Texas State University centers on olfactory processes in vertebrates. The goal of her research is advancing understanding of the vertebrate olfactory process and providing new tools for managing of fish populations. Dr. Huertas teaches Fish Physiology and Vertebrate Endocrinology courses at senior and graduate level. She is also engaged in the promotion of minorities in science and is a mentor in the Society for the TXST chapter of Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics group and member of the diversity committee at her department. She built a diverse laboratory with more than 80% Hispanic and other minorities, and 70% women.
Current Lab Members
Maruf Billah
PhD student August 2020-Present
Maruf is a fifth-year Ph.D. student researching the role of neurosteroids in integrating olfactory immune responses in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss). He received a B.S. and M.S. from Gazipur Agricultural University, Bangladesh, and then earned another M.S. from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). In his free time, Maruf enjoys reading nonfiction books, playing tennis and cricket, and participating in volunteer activities.
Shironjib Shinga
PhD student August 2021— Present
Chironjib is a first year Ph.D. student researching the effect of handling stress in bass maternal transfer. Chironjib received a B.S. from the University of Bremen (Germany) in Aquatic Tropical Ecology and another B. S. from the Sylhet Agricultural University (Bangladesh).
Elijah Wheat
MS Student August 2023— Present
Elijah is a master’s student researching novel species and prophylactic treatments in aquaponics. Elijah graduated from TXST in May 2022 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He enjoys floating on the San Marcos River and playing Magic the Gathering.
Nicole Restrepo
MS Student August 2024- Present
Nicole is a master’s student researching effect of chronic exposure of nitrite as a nitric oxide donor during hypoxic conditions in goldfish. Nicole graduated from TXST December 2023 with B.S. Biology and Anthropology majors. During her free time, she likes to spend time with her loved ones and arts crafting.
Trinity Parkman
MS Student January 2025- Present
Trinity is a masters student researching the negative effects of nitrite on pregnancies in Xiphophorus fish. She received a BS in biology from Texas A&M University in 2024, and plans to pursue a career in academia.
Hanna Hugues, MS.
Research assistant— Present
Hanna graduated TXST May 2021 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in psychology and with an MS. in Aquatic Research in 2023. Her research centers in the effects of nitrite in maternal transfer in Xiphophorus species. In her free time, Hanna enjoys hiking, looking after her fish, playing with her two huskies, and searching for bugs! After completing her master’s degree she hopes to pursue higher education in either entomology or aquatic sciences, and begin work in the field of habitat conservation and fish.
Current Undergraduates Students
Natalie Leuckie
Mark Rodriguez
Kailee Smith
Sydney Kirchem
Former Graduate Students
Ashley Franklin
Hannah Hughes
Ashley Hendrix
Whitney Ortiz
Fabiola Mancha
McKeena Bristow
2017- 2019 MS – Use of pheromones in species recognition and mating in mollies.
Melody Martinez
2017-2020 MS – Effect of nitrites and nitrates in olfactory function in goldfish.
Former Undergraduates Researchers
Isabella Jaime 2016-2018
Emily Arzola 2017-2018
Cullen Sunnier 2017-2018
Justin Cornuvier 2017-2018
Hayden Stoeber 2016-2019
Diego Valdez-Oranday 2018-2019
Travis Moore 2018-2019
James Hanna 2018-2020
Isaac Trujillo 2019-2020
Kafayat Oyejide 2019-2020
Ande Beasley 2019-2021
Hanna Hugues 2021
Iqra Amjad 2021