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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
Undergraduate researchers
Reece Keller
Darcy Thompson
Blake Hoelting
Reece Keller
Darcy Thompson
Blake Hoelting
(Alumni)
Graduate students
Anna Kazarina
Tanner Richie - currently Postdoctoral research associate at University of Virginia School of Medicine
Jessica Suggs
Molly Fisher - currently working at Cape Cod National Seashore
Brandi Feehan
Shiva Thapa - currently graduate student at UNC Greensboro
Undergraduate students
Victoria Dorman - CNA at KU Med, currently specimen processor for Viracor Diagnostics
Kaityn Ward - currently technician for Quest Diagnostics
Lauren Anderson - CNA at KU Med, currently, waiting for Physician Assistant School Program
Abby Kamke - currently Medical Laboratory Scientist, St. Luke's Health System
Kourtney Rumback - MD candidate, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Leah Heeren - currently in MLT program
Brendan Newcomer
Christopher Hargreaves - MD candidate, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Sophia Pogranichniy - currently in K-State vet med program
Trey Summers
Leslie Rodela
Anthony Casenas
Carson Ingold
Dasik Clouse
Summer Powell
Bryttan Adams - graduate student at Michigan State University
William Wedman
Post-doc/technician
Soumyadev Sarkar - former postdoc fellow, currently postdoc researcher at Arizona State University
Qinghong Ran - former research associate, moved to North Carolina
Graduate students
Anna Kazarina
Tanner Richie - currently Postdoctoral research associate at University of Virginia School of Medicine
Jessica Suggs
Molly Fisher - currently working at Cape Cod National Seashore
Brandi Feehan
Shiva Thapa - currently graduate student at UNC Greensboro
Undergraduate students
Victoria Dorman - CNA at KU Med, currently specimen processor for Viracor Diagnostics
Kaityn Ward - currently technician for Quest Diagnostics
Lauren Anderson - CNA at KU Med, currently, waiting for Physician Assistant School Program
Abby Kamke - currently Medical Laboratory Scientist, St. Luke's Health System
Kourtney Rumback - MD candidate, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Leah Heeren - currently in MLT program
Brendan Newcomer
Christopher Hargreaves - MD candidate, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Sophia Pogranichniy - currently in K-State vet med program
Trey Summers
Leslie Rodela
Anthony Casenas
Carson Ingold
Dasik Clouse
Summer Powell
Bryttan Adams - graduate student at Michigan State University
William Wedman
Post-doc/technician
Soumyadev Sarkar - former postdoc fellow, currently postdoc researcher at Arizona State University
Qinghong Ran - former research associate, moved to North Carolina