Alumni

Graduate Students

Name Degree, Institution Research Project Current Position
Gabriel Lozano PhD (2018), Yale University Understanding molecular mechanisms that underpin microbe-microbe interactions within microbial communities Postdoc, Boston Children’s Hospital
Jessica Miles PhD (2016), Yale University Senior Publisher, Cell Press
Caleb Fischer
Alvaro Mongui Cruz Visiting Graduate Student (2013, 2014), Yale University Transposon TnC_T7 validation to promote functional expression of antibiotic resistance genes (Beta-lactamases) in bacterial clones from metagenomic libraries Research Associate, CorpoGen
Jonathan Holt PhD (2013), UW-Madison Ecology of the Manduca sexta gut microbiota Microbiology Instructor, Edgewood College
Elizabeth Stulberg PhD (2013), Yale University Genomic and metabolomic investigation of a novel Alaskan soil streptomycete Principal, Lewis-Burke Associates
Yanzhuan Cao Visiting Graduate Student, Yale University PhD student, China Agricultural University
Lihui Xu Visiting Graduate Student, Yale University Researcher at Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Heather Allen PhD (2009), UW-Madison Functional metagenomics to identify antibiotic resistance genes in soil
Brandon Converse MS (2009), UW-Madison Screen for nitration enzymes in metagenomic libraries Associate Researcher, Dept. of Geoscience, UW-Madison
Cliff Hogan MS (2009), UW-Madison Microbial diversity in apple orchard soil Postdoctoral Research Scientist, USDA-Agricultural Research Service
Lindsay Rusnak MS (2009), UW-Madison Antibiotic resistance in soil from an apple orchard Instructor, Madison Area Technical College
Nichole Broderick PhD (2009), UW-Madison Bacteria in the midgut of gypsy moth larvae Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Zakee Sabree PhD (2008), UW-Madison Heterologous expression in the metagenomics era Assistant Professor, Ohio State University
Brook Peterson PhD (2008), UW-Madison Interactions among rhizosphere bacteria Senior Scientist, University of Washington
Courtney Robinson PhD (2008), UW-Madison Robustness of lepidopteran midgut microbial communities Assistant Professor, Howard University
Christian Riesenfeld PhD (2006), UW-Madison Survey of aminoglycoside resistance genes in soil Research Associate, University of West Florida
Bradley Borlee PhD (2006), UW-Madison Dissecting communication in microbial communities Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Katherine Butler MS (2006), UW-Madison Microbiology of the gut of the cabbage white butterfly Laboratory Technician, UCSD
Lynn Williamson MS (2005), UW-Madison Signal molecules in metagenomic libraries Research Specialist, UW-Madison
Brad Garcia PhD (2005), UW-Madison Multiplexed microarrays for diagnosis and detection Director of Technology & Business Development, Primorigen Biosciences
Anne Dunn PhD (2002), UW-Madison Investigation of communication between Bacillus cereus and plants Associate Professor, The University of Oklahoma
Zhengrong Cui MS (1999), UW-Madison Associate Professor, UT-Austin
Mark Bittinger PhD (1999), UW-Madison The RosR regulon of Rhizobium etli Associate Director, Target Biology, Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science
Elizabeth Emmert PhD (1999), UW-Madison Chemical biology of Bacillus cereus Associate Professor,  Dept. of Biological Sciences, Salisbury University
Amy Klimowicz MS (1999), UW-Madison Associate Researcher, UW-Madison
Elizabeth Stohl PhD (1998), UW-Madison Zwittermicin A resistance and biosynthesis Research Faculty, Northwestern University
Eric Stabb PhD (1997), UW-Madison Zwittermicin A: Diversity of producers and mechanisms of resistance Professor and Head, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago
Eduardo Robleto MS (1995), UW-Madison Applied ecology of trifolitoxin production: A model to study the effects of antibiotic production on microbial populations of natural environments Associate Professor, UNLV
Laura Silo-Suh PhD (1994), UW-Madison Biological activities of two antibiotics produced by Bacillus cereus UW85 Assistant Professor of Microbiology at Mercer University
Kevin O’Connell PhD (1993), UW-Madison Foliar chlorosis in plants induced by Rhizobium tropici Vice President, In-Q-Tel
Kevin Smith MS (1992), UW-Madison Professor, University of Minnesota
Ricardo Araujo PhD (1992), UW-Madison Mutational analysis of the cell surface and nodulation competitiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli
Greg Gilbert PhD (1991), UW-Madison Effects of the introduction of Bacillus cereus UW85n1 on communities of bacteria on roots Professor, Pepper-Giberson Chair of Environmental Studies, UC Santa Cruz
Larry Halverson PhD (1991), UW-Madison Population biology of Bacillus cereus UW85: A case study for biotechnology policy Associate Professor, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Iowa State University
Gwyn Beattie PhD (1991), UW-Madison Quantitative and molecular analysis of nodulation competitiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli Robert Earle Buchanan Distinguished Professor of Bacteriology for Research and Nomenclature, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Iowa State University

Postdoctoral Researchers

Name Training Period, Institution Research Project Current Position
Julia Duncan 2023-2024,
UW–Madison
Structural elucidation of bioactive compounds
Julia Nepper 2020-2023,
UW–Madison
Using transcriptomics to investigate the role of secondary metabolites in THOR biofilm formation and other community behaviors. Characterizing Tiny Earth Chemistry Hub soil bacteria to find antibiotic molecules.
Chris Thomas 2020-2023,
UW–Madison
Structural elucidation of bioactive compounds Certifying Scientist – R&D, Forensic Fluids Laboratories
Marc Chevrette 2019-2022,
UW–Madison
Genome mining for natural product biosynthesis Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida
Amanda Hurley 2017-2021,
UW–Madison
Gene regulation of the model microbial community, THOR Foreign Affairs Officer, US Department of State
Deepa Acharya 2019-2020,
UW–Madison
Metabolomics at the Tiny Earth Chemistry Hub Natural Products Scientist, Corteva Agriscience
Manuel Garavito 2016-2019, Yale University/
UW–Madison
Johan Bengtsson-Palme 2018, UW-Madison Assistant Professor, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Oriana Aragón 2014-2015, Yale University Collaborative research: Impact of the Summer Institutes on faculty teaching and student achievement Assistant Professor
Department of Marketing, University of Cincinnati
Evava Pietri 2013-2015, Yale University Gender Bias and the Art of Persuasion Associate Professor – Social
Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado-Boulder
Megan Kiedrowski 2014-2015, Yale University Interactions of Enterococcus faecalis with gut microbial community members and within biofilms Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pittsburgh
Tiffany Tsang 2011-2014, Yale University Crowdsourcing the Discovery of Antibiotics Washington, DC
Ashley Shade 2010-2014, Yale University Perturbation and resilience of soil microbial communities Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
Jesse Morin 2011-2014, Yale University Investigation of the Mechanism of Synergy of Bacillus thuringiensis and Zwittermicin A in Manduca sexta Biotechnology Department Head, Norwich Technical High School
Jason Rush 2009-2012, Yale University Chemical biology of bacterial communities in insect guts Research Scientist, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Corinne Moss-Racusin 2011-2013, Yale University Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students Assistant Professor of Psychology, Skidmore College
Fabienne Wichmann 2011-2013, Yale University Effect of antibiotic use in dairy production on antibiotic resistance and microbial communities in manure Biosafety Research Scientist, State Laboratory of Basel in Switzerland
Nikolina Udikovic Kolic 2012-2013, Yale University Antibiotic resistance on vegetable farms fertilized with dairy manure from antibiotic-treated cows Research Associate, Ruder Boskovic Institute
Jessamina Blum 2010-2013, Yale University Molecular ecology of bacteria in insect guts Managing Editor, CourseSource, University of Minnesota
Jing Du 2011-2012, Yale University Mutant analysis of community invasion by Enterococcus faecalis Postdoctoral Associate, Yale University School of Medicine
Katie Lynn Mason 2010-2011, Yale University Mechanisms of polymicrobial disease in insect guts Lecturer and Researcher at The University of Kansas
Xiaofen Wang 2006-2010, UW-Madison/Yale University Metagenomic analysis of aromatic ring modifying enzymes from soil Faculty Member, China Agricultural University
Romano Mwirichia 2010, Yale University Cloning and functional screening of the genome of isolate 327 from Lake Elmenteita for novel Haloalkaliphilic enzymes Postdoctoral Fellow, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, ASM ambassador for Kenya
Justin Donato 2006-2010, UW-Madison/Yale University Molecular ecology underlying human health and disease: a prototype study Assistant Professor, St. Thomas University
Jenny Kao-Kniffin 2007-2009, UW-Madison/Yale University Investigated landscape-scale patterns of microbial composition and activity in the Arctic Coastal Plain near Barrow, Alaska Assistant Professor, Cornell University
Luke Moe 2006-2009,
UW-Madison
Genomics and biochemistry of soil-dwelling microorganisms Faculty Member, University of Kentucky
Karen Cloud-Hansen 2004-2009,
UW-Madison
Antibiotic resistance and gut bacteria Editor,  Disruptive Systems
Ainslie Little 2007-2008,
UW-Madison
Host-microbe interactions in the gut IP Technical Consultant and US Patent Agent Blake at Cassels & Graydon LLP
Thomas Isenbarger 2004-2007,
UW-Madison
Insect gut microbiome Attorney at law, Casimir Jones, S.C.
Mark Liles 1998-2005, UW-Madison Isolation and cloning of high molecular weight metagenomic DNA from soil microorganisms Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University
Patrick Schloss 2002-2004,
UW-Madison
Microbial ecology: quantitative approaches to studying microbial communities Associate Professor, University of Michigan
Whitney Robertson 2003-2004,
UW-Madison
Developing and evaluating education websites Battelle, Columbus, Ohio
Nasia Safdar UW-Madison Impact of multiple antibiotic use on mortality of hospitalized patients Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Nobutada Kimura UW-Madison Quorum sensing in bacteria National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan
Michelle Rondon 1996-1999, UW-Madison Bioactive compounds from novel microbial sources Faculty Associate, UW-Madison
Jocelyn Milner 1989-1996, UW-Madison Genetic analysis of beneficial plant-associated bacteria Director of Office of Budget Planning and Analysis, UW-Madison
D. Johnson 1992-1995, UW-Madison Genetic basis for plant-beneficial microbe interactions

Research Staff

Name Period Position Current Position
Trang Tran 2020-2024 Tiny Earth Outreach Specialist
Natasha Mavengere 2023-2024 Fulbright Research Fellow Senior Lecturer, Harare Institute of Technology
Kristin Labby 2023-2024 Tiny Earth Partner Instructor in Residence Associate Professor of Chemistry, Beloit College
Grace Pausma 2022-2024 Undergraduate & Research Intern Graduate Student
Mara Beebe 2018-2022 Research Specialist Tony Evers Campaign
Laura Langley 2019-2022 Executive Assistant to the Director Executive Assistant
Kayla Cohen 2019-2021 Research Assistant for A World Without Soil Writer in Residence, WID
Jennifer Heinritz departed 2020 Lab Manager and Tiny Earth Chemistry Hub Director Bacteriology Master’s Program Coordinator, UW-Madison
Luis Balderrama 2019 Research Intern Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Mayo Clinic
Juan Bravo departed 2017 Post Bacc Graduate Student, University of Southern California
Changhui Guan departed 2015 Research Associate Senior Research Associate, The Oh Lab at The Jackson Laboratory
Simon Hernandez 2011-2015 Communications Manager Dermatology Resident, University of Rochester
Carol Bascom-Slack 2012-2014 Member of the Yale Center for Teaching and Learning Research Assistant Professor, Tufts University
Gillian Phillips 2012-2014 Associate Researcher, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
James Young 2007-2014 Executive Director, Center for Scientific Teaching, Yale University
Rajendhran Jeyaprakash 2013-2014 Lab Associate Assistant Professor, Madurai Kamaraj University
Ezra Baraban 2010-2012 Research Aide Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Cynthia Zerillo 2010-2012 Research Associate Research Associate, Yale University
Taylor Stepien 2007-2010 Research Scientist Graduate Student Researcher, University of Washington
Christine Mlot 2010 Research Specialist, DNA Technician Associate Research Specialist, UW-Madison
Sandy Stewart NIH Rocky Mountain National Laboratory

Undergraduates

Name Period Current Position
Emma Schmit 2024
Madison Schellinger 2023-2024
Melis Baskaya 2023-2024
Rilee Schmit 2023-2024
Aidan Clubb 2023-2024
Cole Bielby 2023
Catishe Grignon 2023 Undergraduate student at College of Menominee Nation
Fred Foueppe 2023 Undergraduate student at the University of Notre Dame
Tasha Miller 2023 Undergraduate student at Madison College
Tarry Glover 2023 Undergraduate student at Baton Rouge Community College
Hollie Wierschke 2022 Undergraduate researcher in the Ludwig Lab
Kiley Harju 2021-2022 Pursuing graduate school
Josephine Putnam 2018-2022 English teacher in Madrid, Spain
Abbey Manning 2022
Hunter Ford 2022
Lauren Hanna 2022
Kyle Lee 2021-2022
Connie Wang 2020-2021
Sarah Uhm 2020-2021
Renee Engels 2020
Orli Jona 2020

Center for Teaching and Learning, Yale University

Name Position
Robert Bazell Adjunct Professor
Aiyana Bobrownicki Evaluation Project Manager
Enit Colon Senior Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Frederick Executive Director
Mark Graham Evaluation Director
Giovanna Guerrero-Medina Director, Yale Ciencia Initiative
J.J. Waterhouse Data Coordinator
Sophia Chen Undergraduate
Adam Harris Undergraduate
Nicole Price Undergraduate