Meet our team

Olga Ponomarova

Principal Investigator

I love learning the unimaginably clever ways nature has found to sustain life.  I also enjoy science fiction, yoga, and philosophical debates with my preschooler.

Muthubharathi Chellammal

Postdoctoral Associate

I enjoy experimenting with C. elegans from a new perspective by concentrating on carbon metabolism. In addition to doing science, I am interested in reading, listening to, and occasionally composing short tales. I also enjoy drawing pencil and oil pastel sketches. You can shortly call me Bharathi.

Kaitlin Choi

Honors Student

I'm a biochemistry major with a double minor in HMHV and Psychology. Some of my favorite things include sunset/late night drives, indie or R&B music blasting in the car, and deep talks about science and the universe of course. A favorite quote that I live by is "The future depends on what you do today" by Mahatma Gandhi. If I'm not on campus, you might catch me studying in a cozy cafe.

Emiliano Johnson

Honors Student

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Andreana Nourie

Graduate Student

An avid lifelong learner, graduate student Andreana Nourie is pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Initially rotating with the lab - she fell in love with the research and the environment and decided to join in summer of 2024. When not in lab, she enjoys weight lifting, learning languages and working on her art.

Garrick Tam

High School Student

I am a dual credit high school student majoring in various STEM topics. I have interests in the physical sciences and enjoy performing laboratory experiments. Outside of academics, I enjoy hanging out with my cats, and going on adventures with friends 🐉

Joanna Zaino

Research Technician

Hi! I’m Joanna, and I graduated with a Biosystems Engineering degree from Virginia Tech in May of 2020 and a Master’s in Fermentation Science from Middle Tennessee State in December of 2021. I fell in love with Molecular Biology and C. elegans research while working in Dr. Daniel Levy and Dr. David Fay’s labs at the University of Wyoming from 2022-2024. When not in the lab, I am an avid skier, hiker, and an enjoyer of live music.

Alumni

Ana Sutulov, Honors Student

Omar Rachidi Alaoui, Research Technician

Amanda Anderson, Research Technician

Vanessa Lewis, UPN Student

Roshawn Morgan, Undergraduate Assistant

Jordan Perez, Honors Student