Research Scientists
- David Vance, PhD investigates antibody interactions with outer surface proteins of the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, as part of the laboratory’s Borrelitope program supported by NIAID.
- Jennifer Doering, PhD is involved in pre-clinical development of subunit and combination vaccines for biodefense and re-emerging diseases, with support from NIAID, NIIMBL, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Graham Willsey, PhD studies molecular genetics of Borrelia burgdorferi as it relates to human infection and immune evasion. He is also actively involved in projects studying virulence mechanisms of Salmonella enterica and Vibrio cholerae.
- Carol Lyn Piazza is studying the function of antibodies against outer surface proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi. She is also involved in a study that is investigating Salmonella enterica genes involved in the invasion process of pathogenesis.
- Katherine Berman, MS is investigating the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 antibody neutralization across differing cohorts as part of the National Cancer Institute's SeroNet program.
Postdoctoral Fellows
- Yetunde Adewunmi, PhD is working on efforts to develop next generation whole cell pertussis combination vaccines for use in low and middle income countries, as part of an Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation initiative.
- Elaheh Movahed, PhD is investigating antibody responses to Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface proteins in Lyme disease patients as part of the laboratory’s Borrelitope program.
Graduate Students
- Lindsey Tolman (PhD Program) is investigating long-lasting immune responses elicited by toxin-antibody immune complexes, especially in the context of the lung.
- Samantha Lindberg (PhD Program) is studying gene expression and regulation in Salmonella enterica upon encountering secretory IgA and other components of the mucosal immune system of the gut.
- Kathleen McCarthy (PhD Program) studies antibody-mediated protection against the tickborne transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Gianna Mirabile (MS Program) is investigating age-related trends in antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 and common coronaviruses.
- Atieh Shemshadian (PhD Program) is researching the ability of anti-OspA monoclonal antibodies to interact with Borrelia burgdorferi and block its transmission.
- Sharon Shaughnessy (PhD Program) is investigating the mechanism of T-independent activation of B cells by Borrelia burgdorferi antigen DbpA.
- Noah Savage (MS Program) is studying Salmonella enterica's gene expression and regulation in response to secretory IgA.
Technicians
- Grace Freeman-Gallant is using Lyme disease patient serum to study the antibody response to outer surface proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi.
Wadsworth Fellows
- Kate DeRosa, PhD is investigating the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in serum, dried blood spots, and saliva as part of the National Cancer Institute’s SeroNet program.
Administrators
- Elizabeth Cavosie performs administrative oversight of the lab, including grant and budget management, interagency communications, and personnel management.
Lab Alumni​
- Adam Rodriguez (Undergraduate Student)
- Alison Bond (REU Student)
- Amanda Poon, PhD (PhD Student)
- Amarantha (Ami) Ballmer (REU Student)
- Amber Frye, PhD (PhD Student)
- Angelene Richards, PhD (PhD Student)
- Anneka Prigodich (REU Student)
- Bridget Mooney, PhD (Postdoc)
- Carolyn (McGuinness) Morris (Technician)
- Cassandra Kelly-Cirino, PhD (PhD Student)
- Chelsea Schiliro (REU Student)
- Chrystal Chadwick (Technician)
- Claire Reynolds-Peterson, PhD (Postdoc)
- Claire Williams (REU Student)
- Clarice Pavlak (Technician)
- Colleen Fei (Undergraduate Student)
- Cristina Herrera Messina, PhD (PhD Student)
- D'anna Nelson, PhD (REU Student)
- Daniel Martinelli, PhD (Undergraduate Student)
- Danielle (Hindes) Baranova, PhD (PhD Student)
- Doug Appenzeller (REU Student)
- Dylan Ehrbar (Research Scientist)
- Elizabeth McCarthy, PhD (Technician)
- Elizabeth Weyer (REU Student)
- Emily Gage (Technician)
- Erin Sully, PhD, Esq. (Postdoc)
- Fernando Torres-Velez, DVM, PhD (Research Scientist)
- Gabby Basil (Undergraduate Student)
- Greta van Slyke (Research Scientist)
- Hayley Novak (MS Student/Research Scientist)
- Hector Neives (REU Student)
- Ipneet (Penny) Dhaliwal, DDS (MS Student)
- Ison Chen (Undergraduate Student)
- Jasmine Crunk (Undergraduate Student)
- Jayaleka Amarasinghe, PhD (Postdoc)
- Jennifer (Huntington) Yates, PhD (Postdoc)
- Joanne O'Hara, PhD (PhD Student)
- John Varrone, PhD (Postdoc)
- Kara Levinson, PhD (PhD Student)
- Katie Mellon (Technician)
- Lacey Slater (Undergraduate Student)
- Laura Walker (Undergraduate Student)
- Lauren Rose-Boehnlein, PhD (MS Student)
- Lillian Or (High School Student)
- Lori Neal (Technician)
- Magdia de Jesus, PhD (Postdoc)
- Maira Malik (Undergraduate Student)
- Mara Bureau (MS Student)
- Maria Olga Hernandez, PhD (Postdoc)
- Marina Yoder (Technician)
- Marisa Eschmann (MS Student)
- Mary Kate Moran (Undergraduate Student)
- Matthew St. Pierre (Undergraduate Student)
- Noelle Maloney (REU Student)
- Paul Wahome, PhD (Postdoc)
- Peter Fousek (REU Student)
- Rabia (Aslam) Iqbal (High School Student)
- Rebecca D'Hondt (Technician)
- Robert Acuriuo (Undergraduate Student)
- Saiful Basir (MS Student)
- Samantha Giffen, PhD (Undergraduate Student)
- Sarita Ahlawat, PhD (Postdoc)
- Shannon Lozito (Technician)
- Stacey (Anastasiya) Smith (Yermavoka), PhD (PhD Student)
- Stephen Forbes, PhD (PhD Student)
- Tia (Bumpus) Brodeur, MD, PhD (Undergraduate Student)
- Timothy Czajka, PhD
- Todd Dembo, PhD (High School Student)
- Yinghui Rong, PhD (Research Scientist)