Principle Investigator
Sonny TM Lee
In our laboratory, computational biology approaches result in identification of functional potentials in both individual microbial organism and communities. These multi-omics knowledge lays the foundation for laboratory investigations targeting physical, chemical, and biological interactions with the host and environment. I couple both holistic and reductionist approaches to understand the interaction between the host and its microbial constituents.
Graduate student 
Brooke Vogt
My PhD research centers on the following question: How do drought-associated rhizosphere microbial metabolites influence host plant gene expression, metabolism, physiology, and resilience under stress conditions? Specifically, I investigate how these interactions enhance plant durability against bacterial pathogens, osmotic stress caused by drought and salinity, and redox stress from increased environmental extracellular ROS. I earned my Bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry and Chemistry at Kansas State University. Before starting my graduate studies, I worked as a Research Technologist in the Department of Civil Engineering at Kansas State University. In my free time, I enjoy drawing and painting.​
Graduate student
Hallie Wiechman
​My PhD research focuses on understanding how members of the bacterial family Enterobacteriaceae exploit the gut environment to overproliferate, driving gut dysbiosis and contributing to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). I investigate how these bacteria use alternative electron acceptors, such as nitric oxide and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), to gain a competitive advantage over other gut microbes. I am also interested in the mechanisms by which Enterobacteriaceae adhere to colonic epithelial cells and how these interactions influence disease. Ultimately, my work aims to inform the development of alternative treatment strategies for patients with IBD. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Human Health Biology from Kansas State University. Outside the lab, I enjoy cheering on K-State sports, reading, and cuddling with my dog, Sadie May.
Graduate student
Alessandra Ruggiero
My PhD research focuses on the bacterial families Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospiraceae, which reside in the human gut and regulate gut homeostasis. I am primarily concerned with identifying alterations in the gut microbiome between healthy and diseased individuals. Further, I am curious how amino acid metabolism is altered among these populations which can result in chronic inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Specifically, I aim to identify members of the gut microbiome that either contribute to or modulate these metabolic deficiencies through the investigation of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation. I am also interested in the investigation of extracellular genetic elements, such as plasmids, that may contribute to inflammation and IBD. I earned my bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of Charleston while working as a research technician at the Medical University of South Carolina. Outside of lab, I enjoy needlepointing, baking, and playing with my cat Tortellini.
Undergraduate researchers
Abbie Amend
Antoinette Dadzie
Katherine Boston
Natalie Nonamaker
Owen Fetsch
Zeyu Wang (Patrick)

 (Alumni)
Graduate students
Anna Kazarina
​Tanner Richie -  currently Postdoctoral research associate at University of Virginia School of Medicine
Jessica Suggs - currently research associate at Department of Entomology, Kansas State University
Molly Fisher - currently working at Cape Cod National Seashore 
Brandi Feehan - currently working as an independent data analyst
​Shiva Thapa 

Undergraduate students
Victoria Dorman - CNA at KU Med, currently specimen processor for Viracor Diagnostics
Kaityn Ward - technician for Quest Diagnostics
Lauren Anderson - CNA at KU Med, currently, waiting for Physician Assistant School Program
Abby Kamke -  Medical Laboratory Scientist, St. Luke's Health System
Kourtney Rumback - MD candidate, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Leah Heeren - MLT program
Brendan Newcomer - MD candidate, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Christopher Hargreaves - MD candidate, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Sophia Pogranichniy - K-State vet med program
Trey Summers - Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, Cleveland University-Kansas City
Leslie Rodela - MD candidate, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Anthony Casenas - MLT program
Carson Ingold 
​Dasik Clouse 
​Summer Powell 
Bryttan Adams - graduate student at Michigan State University
​William Wedman
​Reece Keller - MD candidate, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
Darcy Thompson
Blake Hoelting - research assistant at NBAF

Post-doc/technician
Soumyadev Sarkar - former postdoc fellow, currently postdoc researcher at Arizona State University
Qinghong Ran - former research associate, moved to North Carolina