People

Prof. Denise Okafor

Principal Investigator

B.S. Oral Roberts University, 2007

M.S. Georgia Tech, 2010

Ph.D. Georgia Tech, 2015

Fun fact: I made it through three degrees…with no coffee.

cdo5093@psu.edu

Sabab Hasan Khan

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Ph.D. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

Fun Fact: I love to eat Indian Mughlai Cuisine food!

shk5169@psu.edu

  

 Kesaban Sankar Roy Choudhuri

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Ph.D. University of Hyderabad, India.

Fun Fact: ……Still thinking…….!! I may be a seasonal poet?

kkr5497@psu.edu

 

Noriko Mikeasky

Research Technologist

B.S. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

M.S. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

nxm712@psu.edu

 

                                                 

 

Tracy Hei Yan Yu

Graduate Researcher

B.S. Penn State Altoona, 2019

Fun Fact: Obsessive coffee drinker

tby5032@psu.edu

 

                                                 

 

Priscilla Villalona

Graduate Researcher

B.S. Bay Path University, 2019

Fun Fact: Likes to play video games and doesn’t drink coffee

pbv5062@psu.edu

 

Saurov Hazarika

Graduate Researcher

M.Sc. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

Fun Fact: I read at least two new books every month

sqh5917@psu.edu

 

Nishanti Sudhakar

Graduate Researcher

B.Sc. Stella Maris College, India, 2015

M.Sc. University of Queensland, Australia, 2018

Fun Fact: I like to collect tactical knives

nzs5600@psu.edu

 

Riley Eisert-Sasse

Graduate Researcher

B.S. University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 2021

Fun Fact: I am a classical percussionist and vocalist!

rks5854@psu.edu

 

Arumay Biswas

Graduate Researcher

Dual B.S./M.S. Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, 2022

Fun Fact: I eat, sleep, and breathe airplanes 🙂

azb6564@psu.edu

 

Ashley Gelin

Undergraduate Researcher

B.S. Pennsylvania State University, 2024

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Fun fact: Enjoys eating Haitian food

amg7431@psu.edu

Gabriella Chatman

Undergraduate Researcher

B.S. Pennsylvania State University, 2024.

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Minor: Microbiology

Fun Fact: I am a classically trained pianist

gqc5311@psu.edu

Jill Magafas

Undergraduate Researcher

B.S Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College, 2025

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Minor: Microbiology and Spanish

Fun Fact: I have a twin

jkm6476@psu.edu

Vinay Reddy

Undergraduate Researcher

B.S Pennsylvania State University, 2023

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Fun Fact: I have two birthdays

hfg5118@psu.edu

 

Past Members

Anna Hou

Undergraduate Researcher

B.S. Pennsylvania State University, 2021
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Fun fact: My favorite food is fried rice

ash5559@psu.edu

 

 

Ameen Bader

Undergraduate Researcher

B.S. Pennsylvania State University, 2022
Major: Chemistry
Fun Fact: My cat is named Mitochondrion (Mito for short)
axb1684@psu.edu

 

Namita Dube

Postdoctoral Researcher                                     

M.S. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research
Ph.D. University of Cambridge
Fun Fact: Loves creative painting and cooking

namita.dube3061985@gmail.com

 

Emily Meinert

Undergraduate Researcher

B.S Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College, 2023

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Minor: Anthropology

Fun Fact: I love making authentic Italian food!

Yen-Jui Su
Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. Pennsylvania State University, 2023
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Minor: Microbiology and Chemistry, and ENTI
Fun fact: I like flowers, drawing, delicious food, etc…
yjs5186@psu.edu

Matthew Fehrle

Undergraduate Researcher

B.S Pennsylvania State University, 2024

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Fun Fact: I am one of 7 kids!

mrf5583@psu.edu



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