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.
Postdoc scientist
Soumyadev Sarkar
During Ph.D., my research hovered around elucidating the nitrogen stress response of Papiliotrema laurentii. My aim is to amalgamate experimental, computational and theoretical approaches – unraveling fundamental mechanisms underlying biological processes. Another focus resides in understanding the dynamism of biological systems (host – microbes – environment) adapting to various internal and external constraints. For the next few years, I will be concentrating on understanding the linkage of microbiomes of aquatic, plant and soil across the states of Kansas.
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
​Brandi Feehan
My PhD involves studying the microbiome of pigs’ digestive systems and utilizing therapeutic techniques to establish beneficial microbes. Through my research, I aim to improve the health and productivity of swine for positive implications in swine welfare, industry profitability and sustainable pork production. My previous research has included surveillance of viral swine pathogens, investigations of neurological disease from porcine teschovirus (PTV) and porcine sapelovirus (PSV), and utilization of probiotic in swine production. In my free time I love attending Sporting Kansas City games, traveling, upgrading my house and playing fetch with one of my two cats.
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 Syndrome (IBS). I recently completed my undergraduate at North Carolina State University in Microbiology where my focus was on microbial health science and microbial diversity. My favorite past times are baking, traveling, heading to the beach, and entertaining my young golden retriever
Graduate student
​Molly Fisher
My Master’s research focuses on how hard skeleton coral respond physiologically to increased levels of external nitrogen through genomic, microbial, and nutrient cycling techniques. Understanding how specific species of hard skeleton coral respond to increased levels of nitrogen will positively contribute to the larger effort of protecting and conserving coral reefs as impacts from anthropogenic activities continuously escalate causing the obliteration of coral reef ecosystems around the world. I recently completed my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science through Simpson College and have research experience ranging from coral reefs on Little Cayman Island to rivers in Mongolia. In my free time I enjoy long distance and trail running, hiking, traveling, SCUBA diving, and basically anything that involves being outdoors!
** I co-supervise Molly with Dr. Walter Dodds, Kansas State University.
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 
Amarachi Nwokocha
My research interest focuses on the effect of herbicides on microbial community population and function in agricultural soils using metagenomics and metatransciptomics. My previous research was based on the study of the survival, infectivity and nodulating ability of Bradyrhizobium strains. Apart from my research,  I love teaching undergraduate students basic bacterial culturing and molecular techniques. My hobbies include reading books, traveling, singing good music and solving difficult puzzles.
** I co-supervise Amarachi with Dr. Adeniyi Ogunjobi, University of Ibadan.
Undergraduate researcher
 (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