Graduate Students

Mina Basiri, PhD Candidate

My research involves the plant-microbe interactions, with a specific emphasis on deciphering the functions and importance of genes in rhizosphere and root microorganisms particularly the Rhizobium. Through my research, I employ techniques such as INSeq and RNA-Seq.

Rafa Grajales, MSc Student

I am Rafa, Biotech Engineer with a passion for biological sciences, currently pursuing a MSc in Biology. My work relays on researching the interaction between microorganisms potentially inhibiting the growth of fungi-like pathogens that affect pulse crops along the region.
In my free time, I am passionate about sports and really enjoy sci-fi series.

Emily Lightheart, MSc Student

My research focuses on how gene transfer is regulated based on population and environmental signals. I am primarily studying the transfer of pCol1b9, a plasmid native to Salmonella, and how the presence of the bacterial toxin colicin influences transfer rates. My goal is to characterize the mechanisms that regulate plasmid transfer and determine what implications they have for bacterial communities.

Bere Mondragon, MSc Student

My research is directed to developing and improving detection methods for emerging pathogens and plasmids that carry antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater. Currently, my goal is to develop an on-site, reliable test for influenza by implementing genetic techniques that allow a high specificity and sensitivity without the need for complex lab equipment.

Laura Schnell, PhD Student

I study aquatic microbes. Currently, I am focused on early-detection of cyanobacterial toxin genes in dugouts. This project focuses on using RT-qPCR and isothermal amplification to detect toxin transcript levels. These will then be compared to toxin quantities over time to validate the predictive ability of transcript measurements.

Ashton Sies, PhD Student

My research involves the study of bacterial plasmids in coastal marine ecosystems, with a focus on microbes associated with marine animals like shellfish and finfish. I aim to discover what genes are transferred between marine bacteria on plasmids, and if these pose potential threats to animal health and human health.

Zohra Zahir, PhD Candidate and Mentee

Zohra is in the final year of her PhD with Dr. Britt Hall and has collaborated with IMSS since the start of her program. She studies the biogeochemical cycling and methylation of mercury by microbes in prairie ponds. She is mentored by Dr. Cameron, who is on her committee. She considers herself a “permanent guest” of IMSS.