Meet Our Team
A passionate group of scientists, educators, and nature enthusiasts working together to advance research, education, and conservation in the southern Appalachians.
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Highlands Biological Station
Leadership
Dr. James T. Costa
Executive Director
Professor of Biology at WCU since 1996; Executive Director of HBS since 2006. Dual B.S. Biology & Philosophy, SUNY Cortland; M.S. & Ph.D. population genetics & entomology, UGA. Researches insect ecology and the legacies of Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. Prolific author on the history of evolutionary thought.
Jason Love
Associate Director
B.S. Forest Resources, UGA; M.S. Wildlife & Fisheries Management, WVU. Extensive background in ecological research and conservation management. Oversees operations, facilitates research initiatives, and fosters educational programs at the Station.
Core staff — hover a card to reveal bio & contact
Business & Communications
Sarah Vickery
Oversees housing coordination, billing, Grant-in-Aid administration, HR processing, and marketing for HBS programs. B.F.A. Ceramics, University of New Hampshire.
Facilities
Mike McMahan
At HBS since 2015. Background in business management and HVAC/mechanical systems. Maintains all research and educational facilities and supports daily Station operations.
Horticulture
Canty Worley
20+ years in horticulture, arboriculture, and sustainable land management. Highlands native since 2001, small-scale farmer and French Alpine dairy goat keeper. Brings a holistic permaculture approach to campus landscapes.
Field Site / Research
Dr. Rada Petric
B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. Biology/Environmental Health Science, UNC Greensboro. Post-doctoral fellow before joining HBS. Supports UNC-IE mentoring and programme development. Researches bat ecology and conservation.
Research
Angelina Guerrero
B.S. Biology & Environmental Science, UNC-Chapel Hill. Full-time researcher working on bat hibernacula, wetland management, and microplastics in the southern Appalachians. First connected with HBS through the Avian Biology course in 2023.
Programs
Liam Stiefel
M.N.R. in tree ecophysiology, UGA; B.S. Environmental Science, Davidson College. Two years AmeriCorps. Passionate about southern Appalachian plant diversity and the Botanical Garden.
Summer Researchers & Assistants
Ripley Brenner
Botanical Garden Assistant
Rising senior, Miami University — Botany & Environmental Science. Invasive plant ecology and foliar iridescence.
Avery O’Neil
Microplastics Research Assistant
Rising sophomore, WCU. Contributing to the Station’s microplastics project in the southern Appalachians.
Nicci Barrett
Research Technician
UNC-Chapel Hill graduate. Supporting the Batpack project with AT field work.
David Adams
Grant-in-Aid Researcher
Ph.D. student, UNC-Chapel Hill. Ecology, behavior & physiology of Plethodon metcalfi.
Cam McClellan
Grant-in-Aid Researcher
MS student, UNC-Chapel Hill. Ecology, Bats, NC, and the missing geological conservation context: Breaking ground in geo-ecology..
Addie Melton
Summer Research Assistant
Rising senior, UNC-Chapel Hill. Elk movement and ecological patterns in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Aidan Holton
Botanical Gardens Assistant
WCU — Natural Resource Conservation & Management. Garden maintenance and visitor accessibility.
Rachel Price
Grant-in-Aid Researcher
Rising senior, UNC-Chapel Hill. Urbanisation’s influence on microplastics in bat tissues.
Evangeline Bradley
Grant-in-Aid Researcher
Rising sophomore, UNC-Chapel Hill. Behavior of the Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander.
Gray Hamby
Microplastics Research Assistant
Rising senior, UNC-Chapel Hill. Highlands Field Site veteran returning for the microplastics project.
Highlands Biological Foundation
Leadership
Jamie Creola
Executive Director, HBF
30+ years of nonprofit leadership across museums, zoos, aquariums, and universities. B.S. Marine Biology, UNC Wilmington; M.A. Science Education, LSU. Passionate about audience engagement and storytelling. Contact Jamie for Foundation events, programming, and fundraising.
Foundation team — hover to flip
Marketing & Communications
Marissa Nieddu
Joined HBF January 2025. 10+ years in digital marketing and web development. B.S. International Business, Southeastern University. Avid backpacker who has led trips across the country.
Education
Maddie Wikstrom
Joined HBF April 2025. WCU degrees; certified Wilderness First Responder, Environmental Educator of NC, and Leave No Trace Trainer. Minnesota-raised, WNC-based since 2016. Quilter and painter.
Education
Alex Waite
Joined Highlands Biological Foundation in January 2026 after first working seasonally in 2024. Holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Field Biology and is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation. Ohio-raised, Highlands-based. Insect enthusiast and passionate environmental educator.
Interested in joining the team?
We welcome researchers, educators, and nature enthusiasts at every stage of their career.