Current Lab Members

Graduate Students​
Grace Laskey
Grace is originally from Descanso, California and spent her childhood days critter hunting, sparking her passion for reptiles and amphibians. She earned her B.S. in Zoology from Cal Poly Humboldt in 2023. Since graduating, she has held various field biologist positions throughout the deserts of the Southwest. Some of the notable species of herpetofauna Grace has worked with include Flat-tailed Horned Lizards, Mexican Gartersnakes, Gila Monsters, Tiger Rattlesnakes, Chiricahua Leopard Frogs, Narrow-headed Gartersnakes, and more. Currently, Grace is pursuing a M.S. in Biology studying the spatial-temporal activities, habitat selection, and diet of the Western Massasauga Rattlesnake in the Texas panhandle. After finishing her Master's degree, she hopes to continue her work as a herpetologist with an agency and maybe eventually pursue a PhD. 


Spencer Mode
Spencer is originally from Canyon, Texas and at a young age developed a fascination with amphibians and reptiles. After a career in the music industry, he moved back to Canyon to pursue an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology at WTAMU. As an undergraduate, Spencer was a T.A. for the Herpetology Lab and assisted with preparing and cataloguing the herpetofauna specimens in WT’s biodiversity collection. Spencer is currently pursuing a M.S. in Biology studying the spatial and behavioral ecology of Western Massasaugas. After the successful completion of his Master’s degree, he plans to pursue a PhD studying the evolutionary biology and ecology of pitvipers or other squamates.
 

Undergraduate Students
Jonathan Hutchison
Jonathan is originally from College Station, Texas, where he pursued animation before finding his love for wildlife. Since then he moved to Canyon, Texas, to attend WTAMU and get his degree in Wildlife Biology. Jonathan is an undergraduate research assistant under Dr. Maag, helping with the current research on the thermal sensitivity of pythons and boas. Jonathan is uncertain if he will go straight into the field after finishing his degree or get a masters degree. Either way he intends to focus on herpetofauna with his biggest passion being geckos.


Natalie Saucedo
Natalie is from Dallas, TX and is a senior animal science/Pre-vet student at WT. She is currently helping with the care of the captive colony of snakes which are involved in research, teaching, and outreach. After graduation she hopes utilize these skills and knowledge in her pursuit of veterinary medicine.