Graduate Researchers

Anastazia Jablunovsky

W-219 Millennium Science Complex
University Park, PA 16802
Email: akj5127@psu.edu

I graduated from Hood College in 2019 with a B.A. in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. I worked in the Biology department as a laboratory assistant as well as conducting research on lignocellulosic enzymes. After graduation, I spent a year working in the viral clearance industry at Texcell North America before accepting a position in Penn State's Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology Ph.D. program in 2020. I joined the Jose lab because I am interested in studying the molecular interactions between viral RNA and proteins.

Beyond science, I spend my time playing Roller derby and listening to true crime podcasts. I also enjoy hiking with my Golden retriever, Zoey.

Meghan Donaldson

W-219 Millennium Science Complex
University Park, PA 16802
Email: mkd6021@psu.edu

I graduated from Colorado State University (CSU) with a B.S. in Microbiology and a concentration in Chemistry. At CSU, I worked under Dr. Jeffrey Wilusz, where I studied both SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus's impact on cellular RNA biology, including mRNA splicing differentials and RNA-binding protein sequestration by flaviviral sfRNAs. Also, as an undergraduate student, I briefly worked on characterizing parasitic microbiomes infecting wild Alaskan canids. Currently, I work in the Jose lab elucidating capsid protein determinants during flaviviruses' packaging and assembly life cycle stages. I have research interests in high-level containment and virus-lipid interactions, including membrane remodeling/rearrangement and lipid synthesis machinery hijacking by viral proteins.

Shweta Saini

W-219 Millennium Science Complex
University Park, PA 16802
Email: sbs6881@psu.edu

I am a PhD student in MCIBS. I was born and raised in India and did my BS-MS in Biology
from IISER Mohali. I did my master's Thesis at Penn State University under Prof. Ibrahim
Tarik Ozbolat in 2022 and focused on developing a microfluidic device to grow breast
cancer spheroids. I started PhD at Penn State in 2023 and joined Dr. Joyce Jose's lab in
January 2024. My research focuses on studying the 6K protein of Alphaviruses. I want to
learn more about the interaction between the host proteins and viruses.

	Levi Zanders W-219 Millennium Science Complex University Park, PA 16802 Email: laz5183@psu.edu
Levi received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Tulsa, and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology at Penn State. He is interested in characterizing virus-host interactions during infection and integration of cutting-edge protein tagging methods to image these interactions. Outside of work he enjoys hiking, board games, and homebrewing.

Abigail Stocker

W-219 Millennium Science Complex
University Park, PA 16802
Email: aps7577@psu.edu

I graduated from DeSales University in 2024 with a B.S with honors in chemistry and biochemistry-molecular biology. I worked as a chemistry laboratory assistant while conducting research on antimicrobial peptides, antioxidant properties of putrescine analogs, and release mechanism studies of acetyl salicylic acid. I also participated in an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in 2023 at Penn State validating poliovirus 2C as an antiviral drug target through NMR studies in the Boehr lab. I am now pursuing a PhD in Penn State’s Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology (BMMB) program in the Joyce Lab. I am interested in studying the host factor interactions within the flavivirus life cycle. Outside of the lab I enjoy binging TV shows, hanging out with my friends, and spending time with my dog Remington.

Benjamin Kropff

W-219 Millennium Science Complex
University Park, PA 16802
Email: bmk6068@psu.edu

I graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2024 with a B.S. in Biochemistry where I studied the total synthesis of Torreyunlignans. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student in the Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology program at Penn State working in the Jose lab. I am interested in understanding interactions between viral RNA and host proteins, visualization of the eclipse phase in viral infection, and uncovering the mechanism behind viral RNA fate within cells. Outside of work, I enjoy fashion and love to watch movies, read, and play video games.