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.
Research specialist
​Qinghong Ran
I will be working on:
1)Employ short-read and long-read sequencing technologies into different research projects
2)Study the change of genomic population utilizing different computational approaches
3)Train students on microbiome data analysis
Graduate student
​Tanner Richie
My PhD is focused on the importance of the gut microbiota and how it relates to the immune system and regulating inflammation in young mice that have a risk of developing colitis. By exposing these mice at a young age to specific bacteria populations, I hope to determine the critical window for development to prevent inflammation and ultimately, colitis or Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). I am investigating microbial associated mechanisms in driving host gut inflammation. My favorite past times are baking, traveling, heading to the beach, and entertaining my young golden retriever, Strider.
Graduate student 
Anna Kazarina
My PhD work focuses on understanding how fungi and bacteria associated with plant roots (plant rhizosphere) affects plant host functions, specifically the ability to resist drought stress. Using metagenomic and metaproteomic approaches, I aim to discover the link between plant host ecotypic diversity and rhizosphere community composition and microbial functional gene expression. I completed my Master’s at K-state where I observed microbial community responses associated with the grass Panicum virgatum to conservation agriculture management. In my free time I love to be active such as hiking, traveling, playing tennis, running, and playing ball with my dogs Jenny and Nora.
​** I co-supervise Anna with Dr. Ari Jumpponen, Kansas State University.
Graduate student 
Jessica Suggs
My Masters work focuses on the role Enterococcus faecalis plays in the gut microbiome in individuals with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and colitis. E. faecalis is a microbe that is both commensal in the gut microbiome and a rising concern in nosocomial infections. I aim to discover the differences between probiotic and non-probiotic E. faecalis strains by identifying genetic differences through metagenomic and pangenomic analysis. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of South Carolina. I have past research experience. In my free time I enjoy reading, trying new recipes, and attending live music performances.
Graduate student 
Brooke Vogt
My Ph. D. primarily focuses on rhizosphere microbial-mediated abiotic stress resistance to Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem). My research has three main objectives. 1) To perform a biogeographical survey of Big Bluestem’s soil and host-associated microbial communities across the United States precipitation gradient. 2) To understand the biochemical mechanisms that provide abiotic stress resistance to the host plant from isolated precipitation-based ecotype specialists. 3) To assemble a synthetic rhizosphere community using these specialists, aiming to expand to other grass species, including grass species of agricultural significance. I completed my Bachelor’s degrees at Kansas State University in Biochemistry and Chemistry. Before pursuing my graduate studies, I was 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 focuses on examining the microbial community differences between pediatric patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and pediatric patients in remission from IBD. Specifically, I’m interested in the differences between two families of microbes; Lachnospiraceae  and Enterobacteriaceae, between the two patient groups. The Lachnospiraceae family tends to be beneficial in the gut, while Enterobacteriaceae tend to be pathobionts in the gut. In addition, I will examine the viruses and plasmids between the IBD and remission groups affecting the Lachnospiraceae and the Enterobacteriaceae families. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Human Health Biology from Kansas State University. In my free time I enjoy watching K-State sports, playing video games, and chilling with my dog Sadie May.
Undergraduate researcher
Carson Ingold
Reece Keller
Bryttan Adams
Dasik Clouse
Summer Powell
Darcy Thompson
​William Wedman

 (Alumni)
Victoria Dorman - former undergraduate researcher, CNA at KU Med, currently specimen processor for Viracor Diagnostics
Kaityn Ward - former undergraduate researcher, currently technician for Quest Diagnostics
Lauren Anderson - former undergraduate researcher, CNA at KU Med, currently, waiting for Physician Assistant School Program
Abby Kamke -  former undergraduate researcher, currently Medical Laboratory Scientist, St. Luke's Health System
​Shiva Thapa - former graduate student, currently graduate student at UNC Greensboro
Kourtney Rumback - former undergraduate researcher, MD candidate, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Leah Heeren - former undergraduate researcher, currently in MLT program
Brendan Newcomer - former undergraduate researcher
Christopher Hargreaves - former undergraduate researcher
Sophia Pogranichniy - former undergraduate researcher, currently in K-State vet med program
Trey Summers - former undergraduate researcher
Molly Fisher - former graduate student, currently working at Cape Cod National Seashore 
Brandi Feehan - former graduate student
Soumyadev Sarkar - former postdoc fellow, currently postdoc researcher at Arizona State University
Leslie Rodela - former undergraduate researcher
Anthony Casenas - former undergraduate researcher