Present Lab Members
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Dr. Tiffany Zarrella, Principal Investigator
Professional Appointments Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Georgetown University Affiliate Member, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Georgetown University Education and Training Postdoctoral Fellow, National Cancer Institute PhD in Immunology & Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College BS in Biochemistry, Syracuse University Publications Google Scholar, ORCID |
Research Staff
Makeda Teklemichael
Makeda is a Research Specialist in the lab determining how polymicrobial interactions affect Pseudomonas aeruginosa motility. She earned her BA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the College of Wooster in 2024 where she served as the Pre-Health Club President and received an APEX Fellowship to support clinical experiential learning. Previously, she conducted research on Photodynamic Therapy and its promising applications for treating bacterial infections. Makeda has a keen interest in microbiology and immunology, and hopes to pursue a career in the medical field in the future. Outside of the lab, Makeda enjoys listening to music, watching documentaries, and exploring new places and museums.
Makeda is a Research Specialist in the lab determining how polymicrobial interactions affect Pseudomonas aeruginosa motility. She earned her BA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the College of Wooster in 2024 where she served as the Pre-Health Club President and received an APEX Fellowship to support clinical experiential learning. Previously, she conducted research on Photodynamic Therapy and its promising applications for treating bacterial infections. Makeda has a keen interest in microbiology and immunology, and hopes to pursue a career in the medical field in the future. Outside of the lab, Makeda enjoys listening to music, watching documentaries, and exploring new places and museums.
Graduate Students
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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
Sydney Darensburg
Sydney is an undergraduate student (CAS ‘26) majoring in biochemistry. After working in a hospital and witnessing patients struggling with antibiotic resistance, she developed a strong interest in understanding bacterial pathogenesis and the molecular mechanisms underlying these infections. On campus, Sydney serves as the president of the Chemistry Club and works as a Patient Care Technician at the university hospital. In her free time, Sydney enjoys rock climbing and fostering cats through a local shelter.
Sydney is an undergraduate student (CAS ‘26) majoring in biochemistry. After working in a hospital and witnessing patients struggling with antibiotic resistance, she developed a strong interest in understanding bacterial pathogenesis and the molecular mechanisms underlying these infections. On campus, Sydney serves as the president of the Chemistry Club and works as a Patient Care Technician at the university hospital. In her free time, Sydney enjoys rock climbing and fostering cats through a local shelter.
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.
Hannah O'Grady
Hannah is an undergraduate student (CAS '26) majoring in Biology and minoring in Theology. She is interested in learning about the effects of interspecies bacterial interactions in the context of cystic fibrosis lung infections and hopes to apply this research toward a future career as a pediatrician. On campus, Hannah plays for the Georgetown Women's Club Volleyball team, serves as president of Catholic Women at Georgetown (CWAG), and serves as a Retreat Coordinator for Catholic Ministry. Outside of Georgetown, Hannah enjoys running in DC, learning about Italian language and culture, and baking.
Hannah is an undergraduate student (CAS '26) majoring in Biology and minoring in Theology. She is interested in learning about the effects of interspecies bacterial interactions in the context of cystic fibrosis lung infections and hopes to apply this research toward a future career as a pediatrician. On campus, Hannah plays for the Georgetown Women's Club Volleyball team, serves as president of Catholic Women at Georgetown (CWAG), and serves as a Retreat Coordinator for Catholic Ministry. Outside of Georgetown, Hannah enjoys running in DC, learning about Italian language and culture, and baking.
Former Lab Members
Name
Role in Z Lab, Years
Next position
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
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