Present Lab Members
|
Dr. Tiffany Zarrella, Principal Investigator
Tiffany earned her PhD at Albany Medical College in the laboratory of Guangchun Bai where she researched the role of the bacterial signaling nucleotide cyclic di-AMP in controlling stress responses and competence in the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. She completed her PRAT postdoctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute in the lab of Dr. Anupama Khare focused on how polymicrobial interactions affect bacterial behaviors. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Biology at Georgetown. Publications Google Scholar, ORCID |
Graduate Students
|
Hannah Snyder
Hannah is a graduate student in the lab studying mechanisms of competition within bacterial communities. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Georgia Tech in 2022, where she gained research experience across diverse fields, including in microbiology and computational toxicology. In 2023, she completed her Master's degree in Bioinformatics from Georgia Tech, where she focused on using metagenomic approaches to study viruses in Georgia salt marsh soils. Hannah decided to pursue a PhD in Biology at Georgetown to lead research in the field of infectious disease and address the challenges posed by pathogens. She is specifically interested in applying bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to decipher the molecular mechanisms that regulate polymicrobial interactions. Outside of the lab, she enjoys baking, crocheting, and exploring trails around the DC area. |
Devin Teehan
Devin is a graduate student in the lab studying the effects of interspecies interactions on bacterial behavior. After earning a BS in Chemistry & Psychology from Loyola University Maryland in 2022, Devin worked as a Research Specialist at Georgetown University Medical Center, where she helped optimize a high-throughput assay for detecting damaged DNA. Devin then completed a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, where she characterized the T cell receptor repertoire of people with Scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. She discovered her passion for infectious diseases outside of the lab while providing wound care as an EMT. Devin decided to pursue a PhD in Biology at Georgetown to advance fundamental knowledge about bacterial communities and ultimately address the critical threat of antibiotic resistance. Outside of the lab, Devin enjoys running, barbecuing and spending time with/cleaning up after her two cats, Clam and Clyde.
Devin is a graduate student in the lab studying the effects of interspecies interactions on bacterial behavior. After earning a BS in Chemistry & Psychology from Loyola University Maryland in 2022, Devin worked as a Research Specialist at Georgetown University Medical Center, where she helped optimize a high-throughput assay for detecting damaged DNA. Devin then completed a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, where she characterized the T cell receptor repertoire of people with Scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. She discovered her passion for infectious diseases outside of the lab while providing wound care as an EMT. Devin decided to pursue a PhD in Biology at Georgetown to advance fundamental knowledge about bacterial communities and ultimately address the critical threat of antibiotic resistance. Outside of the lab, Devin enjoys running, barbecuing and spending time with/cleaning up after her two cats, Clam and Clyde.
Owen Markow
Owen is a graduate student studying how bacteria interact in communities. Before joining the lab, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a specialization in Biochemistry from the University of Virginia in 2024, followed by a year as a Medicinal Chemistry Lab Technician at Virginia Commonwealth University. Owen decided to pursue a PhD in Biology at Georgetown after his passion for biochemistry led to an interest in the molecular mechanisms that govern microorganism physiology, especially those that can be leveraged against increasing antibiotic resistance. In his free time, he enjoys listening to and making music, playing video games, and working on his goal of visiting every US National Park.
Owen is a graduate student studying how bacteria interact in communities. Before joining the lab, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a specialization in Biochemistry from the University of Virginia in 2024, followed by a year as a Medicinal Chemistry Lab Technician at Virginia Commonwealth University. Owen decided to pursue a PhD in Biology at Georgetown after his passion for biochemistry led to an interest in the molecular mechanisms that govern microorganism physiology, especially those that can be leveraged against increasing antibiotic resistance. In his free time, he enjoys listening to and making music, playing video games, and working on his goal of visiting every US National Park.
Undergraduates
Ryan Mattimore
Ryan is an undergraduate student (CAS ’27) studying Biology with a minor in French & Francophone Studies. He’s interested in bacterial research due to their prevalence in a variety of diseases and infections and works specifically on the motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. He hopes to continue working in research after his time at Georgetown. On campus, Ryan has served as men’s captain of Georgetown Running Club, a tour guide with the Blue & Gray Tour Guide Society, a peer advisor for the College Dean's Office, and an SAA for Foundations in Biology 1 and 2 in the Department of Biology. In his free time, Ryan enjoys exploring National Parks and spending time with friends and family.
Ryan is an undergraduate student (CAS ’27) studying Biology with a minor in French & Francophone Studies. He’s interested in bacterial research due to their prevalence in a variety of diseases and infections and works specifically on the motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. He hopes to continue working in research after his time at Georgetown. On campus, Ryan has served as men’s captain of Georgetown Running Club, a tour guide with the Blue & Gray Tour Guide Society, a peer advisor for the College Dean's Office, and an SAA for Foundations in Biology 1 and 2 in the Department of Biology. In his free time, Ryan enjoys exploring National Parks and spending time with friends and family.
Anhad Kataria
Anhad is an undergraduate (CAS '29) majoring in Biophysics. Before Georgetown, he researched phages and tuberculosis, leading to a passion for microbiology. He hopes to improve understanding of mechanisms of intraspecies competition in bacteria. He's excited to make connections between the physics, biology, and chemistry he learns in class and the work he does in the lab. On campus, he plays electric bass for Georgetown JAM, a student musical group, and is involved in another band based at the University of Maryland.
Anhad is an undergraduate (CAS '29) majoring in Biophysics. Before Georgetown, he researched phages and tuberculosis, leading to a passion for microbiology. He hopes to improve understanding of mechanisms of intraspecies competition in bacteria. He's excited to make connections between the physics, biology, and chemistry he learns in class and the work he does in the lab. On campus, he plays electric bass for Georgetown JAM, a student musical group, and is involved in another band based at the University of Maryland.
Quillan Oberto
Quillan is an undergraduate student (CAS '28) majoring in Biology of Global Health. He's interested in learning more about antimicrobial resistance and emerging therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases. In the lab, he is developing expertise in bioinformatics and bacterial genetics to determine genes that are involved in bacterial competition. He aims to apply this foundation toward a career in global health research. At Georgetown, Quillan is a member of the Men's Club Soccer team, a tour guide with the Blue & Gray Tour Guide Society, and an active participant in the Student Association Health and Wellness Department. He also serves on the boards of the Transfer Student Council and the Georgetown Research Society. In his free time, he enjoys biking, exploring Washington, D.C.'s restaurant scene, cooking, and creative writing.
Quillan is an undergraduate student (CAS '28) majoring in Biology of Global Health. He's interested in learning more about antimicrobial resistance and emerging therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases. In the lab, he is developing expertise in bioinformatics and bacterial genetics to determine genes that are involved in bacterial competition. He aims to apply this foundation toward a career in global health research. At Georgetown, Quillan is a member of the Men's Club Soccer team, a tour guide with the Blue & Gray Tour Guide Society, and an active participant in the Student Association Health and Wellness Department. He also serves on the boards of the Transfer Student Council and the Georgetown Research Society. In his free time, he enjoys biking, exploring Washington, D.C.'s restaurant scene, cooking, and creative writing.
Former Lab Members
Name
Role in Z Lab, Years
Next position
Makeda Teklemichael
Research Technician, 2024-6
Special Master's Program in Physiology & Biophysics at Georgetown University
Sydney Darensburg
Undergraduate Researcher, 2025-6
Hannah O'Grady
Undergraduate Researcher, 2025-6
Sophie Westen
Undergraduate Researcher, 2025
Undergraduate at Georgetown University/International Traveler
Major Elliott
Undergraduate Researcher, 2024-5
Special Master's Program in Physiology & Biophysics at Georgetown University
Audrey Twyford
Undergraduate Researcher, 2024-5
Medical Assistant at a Urology Clinic
Role in Z Lab, Years
Next position
Makeda Teklemichael
Research Technician, 2024-6
Special Master's Program in Physiology & Biophysics at Georgetown University
Sydney Darensburg
Undergraduate Researcher, 2025-6
Hannah O'Grady
Undergraduate Researcher, 2025-6
Sophie Westen
Undergraduate Researcher, 2025
Undergraduate at Georgetown University/International Traveler
Major Elliott
Undergraduate Researcher, 2024-5
Special Master's Program in Physiology & Biophysics at Georgetown University
Audrey Twyford
Undergraduate Researcher, 2024-5
Medical Assistant at a Urology Clinic