People

CURRENT LAB MEMBERS

Jeffrey A. Yoder, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator – jayoder@ncsu.edu

Jeff graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a B.S. in Biotechnology and performed his graduate work with Tim Bestor receiving his Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Harvard University’s graduate program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences. He then did a post-doc with Gary Litman at the University of South Florida. Jeff joined the faculty at NCSU in 2004.

Dan Merselis

Research Scholar – dgmersel@ncsu.edu

Dan earned a B.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of New Hampshire and subsequently earned a Ph.D. in Biology from Florida International University under the mentorship of Mauricio Rodriquez-Lanetty. He had experiences as visiting teaching and research faculty at Florida International University and Northeastern University prior to joining the lab in 2024.

Sureni Sumathipala

PostdoctoRal Fellow – phsumath@ncsu.edu

Sureni earned her B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka before moving to the US to pursue graduate studies. She earned her doctoral degree under the guidance of Dr. Julia Dallman at the University of Miami in Florida, where she developed and characterized zebrafish models to study autism. Currently, her research in the Yoder lab focuses on the effects of PFAS on natural killer (NK) cells and on developing plate reader- and flow cytometry-based assays to quantify these effects.

Ashley Connors

GRADUATE STUDENT – ACONNOR@NCSU.EDU

Ashley graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2017 with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Environmental Studies. After graduating, she worked at Oregon Health & Science University where her research focused on hypothalamic neuronal circuits involved in reproduction and other homeostatic functions. In 2020, Ashley came to NC State to join the Genetic & Genomics Scholars Program and to pursue her Ph.D. in Toxicology

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Emma Hepworth

GRADUATE STUDENT – ewhepwor@ncsu.edu

Emma graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2019 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Marine Science. After graduating, she returned to William & Mary to pursue her M.S. and joined the Hinton Lab where her research focused on protein biochemistry and the role of pseudophosphatases in signaling pathways, receiving her M.S. in Biology in 2022. Emma began her studies at NC State University in 2022 to pursue her Ph.D. in Toxicology.

Ian Birchler De Allende

GRADUATE STUDENT – ibirchl@ncsu.edu

Ian graduated from the University of Maine in 2022 with a B.S. in Marine Science. After graduating he worked at the University of New England at the Queme lab investigating molecular mechanisms of chronic pain. In 2023, Ian came to NC State University to join the Genetics and Genomics Scholars Program and pursue his Ph.D. in Genetics.

Violet Resh

GRADUATE STUDENT – veresh@ncsu.edu

Violet graduated from Oakland University with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Environmental Science and has now come to NC State University to pursue her M.S. in Toxicology. She is most interested in the intersections between immunotoxicology, bioinformatics and disease and very passionate about environmental justice. While in NC, she hopes to hike a good chunk of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Aracelly Flores Fernandez Prada

Volunteer INTERN – aflores6@ncsu.edu

Aracelly graduated from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru with a B.S. in Biology in 2022. After graduating, she worked as a molecular analyst at Hospital María Auxiliadora in Peru. She later completed a year-long internship in the Tobacco Genetics Laboratory at NC State University, gaining experience in genetic and molecular techniques. Aracelly has recently joined the Yoder Lab as a volunteer intern and plans to pursue graduate studies in the future.

Logan Bass

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT – labass3@ncsu.edu

Amaryna Chapman

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT – acchapm3@ncsu.edu

Amaryna is striving for a B.S. in Biology, specifically concentrating in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology. She helps contribute to the maintenance of the zebrafish and rotifer portion of the lab. In the future she plans on pursuing a career in biotechnology or medicine. Outside of the lab you can find her developing video games and learning languages.

Mae Deaton

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT – mldeaton@ncsu.edu

Mae is currently pursuing a B.S. in biochemistry with a minor in marine science. She has recently joined the Yoder lab and will be working on the ongoing antimicrobial peptide project. After undergrad, she plans to attend graduate school and work towards a PhD in clinical research. In her free time she works as a swim coach and loves to sew, bake, and read.

Avani Hoop

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT – amhoop@ncsu.edu

Avani is working towards her B.S. in Biology at NCSU. She recently joined the Yoder Lab and is exploring the lab’s work before settling on a project. While her specific research focus is yet to be determined, she is eager to contribute to the lab’s ongoing projects and develop her skills. In her free time, you can find her pondering what to plant in her garden, exploring different cultures’ recipes, practicing martial arts, or starting a random craft project.

Gwen Peterson

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT – gepeter3@ncsu.edu

Gwen is currently pursuing a B.S. in Genetics at NCSU, and is excited to contribute to the lab’s ongoing research through the antimicrobial peptide project. In the future, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in genetics and immunology, and is interested in studying the epigenetic causes of autoimmune diseases, particularly type 1 diabetes. Her hobbies outside of academia include playing volleyball and foraging for wild mushrooms.

Ellie Rhodes

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT – ekrhode2@ncsu.edu

Ellie is pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry and Microbiology, graduating in Spring 2027 from NCSU. She joined the lab as a CMI Summer fellow and continues her work on antimicrobial peptides. In her free time she works as an EMT, reads, and takes her cat Fitzwilliam on walks. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in microbiology with a focus on virology upon graduation.

LAB ALUMNI

2023

2022

2022

2018

2015

2012

2009

Postdoctoral Fellows

Giuliano Ferrero, Ph.D. (2022).

Currently: Application Scientist, Union Biometrica

Dustin Wcisel, Ph.D. (2018-2021).

Currently: Product Developer – Bioinformatics, Q^2 Solutions

Ivan Rodriguez-Nunez, Ph.D. (2009-2015).

Currently: Senior Researcher at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology

Liala Farzana, Ph.D. (2009-2011)

Graduate Students

Kara Carlson, Ph.D. (2018-2023).

Currently: Conservation Geneticist at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Drake Phelps, Ph.D. (2017-2022).

Currently: ORISE Postdoctoral Scholar in the Rapid Assay Development Branch of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Amanda Kortum, D.V.M., Ph.D. (2012-2019).

Currently: Veterinary Medical Officer, USDA APHIS Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

Joy Ganchingco, D.V.M., Ph.D. (Co-mentor with Wolfgang Bauemer, 2014-2019).

Currently: Veterinary Medical Officer at the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation, Division of Companion Animal Drugs

Dustin Wcisel, Ph.D. (2012-2017).

Currently: Product Developer – Bioinformatics, Q^2 Solutions

Jessica Romanet, D.V.M., Ph.D. (2011-2017).

Currently: Veterinarian, Trinity Animal Hospital

Debra Tokarz, D.V.M., Ph.D. (2011-2016).

Currently: Staff Pathologist, Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.

Amyn Murji, M.S. (2014-2015).

Currently: Graduate student, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Vanderbilt School of Medicine

Hayley (Dirscherl) Ackerman, Ph.D. (2009-2015).

Currently: Research Project Manager, Moffitt Cancer Center

Amy (Heffelfinger) Worth, M.S. (2007-2010).

Currently: Sr. Clinical Project Manager, Macrogenics, Inc.

Laura Ott, Ph.D. (Co-mentor with Sam Jones, 2005-2010).

Currently: Teaching Assistant Professor at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Jibing Yang, D.V.M., Ph.D. (2005-2009).

Currently: Senior Clinical Veterinarian at Massachusetts General Hospital

Radhika (Shah) Patel, Ph.D. (2004-2009)

Kim Dobrinski, Ph.D. (2003-2004, Univ. South Florida)

Veterinary Students

Ashley Kirby, NCSU (summer 2016)

Gretchen Scheffe, NCSU (summer 2016)

Jamie Gerlach, NCSU (summer 2015)

Shaina Stewart, NCSU (summer 2014)

Carolyn Collier, NCSU (summer 2011)

Amanda Lehnberg, NCSU (summer 2010)

Shannon Burroughs, NCSU (summer 2007)

Lab Technicians/Managers and Research Associates

Jacob Driggers (2023-2024)

Currently: Graduate Student, Comparative Biomedical Sciences Program, NC State

Ashley Fletcher (2016-2017)

Currently: Specialized Technical Services Lead, BioRepository and Precision Pathology Center (BRPC), Duke University Medical Center

Poem Turner, M.S. (2008-2011)

Tim Orcutt, M.S. (2006-2008)

Dereje Jima, M.S. (2005-2007)

Currently: Bioinformatics Research Scholar, Center of Human Health and the Environment (CHHE) and Bioinformatics Research Center (BRC), NC State University https://www.ddjima.com

Amanda Grant (2004-2006)

Undergraduate Students

Brett Shore (NCSU 2022-2025)

Currently: NIH Postbaccalaureate Program

Erica Rogers, (NCSU 2024)

Cindy Argueta, (NCSU 2022-2023)

Currently: Laboratory Technician, Duke University

Andi Barker, (NCSU 2020-2023)

Currently: Conservation Genetics Technician, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Jacob Drigger, (NCSU 2019-2023)

Currently: Technician in the Yoder Lab!

Anika Palekar, (NCSU 2019-2023)

Currently:

Katherine McVay, (NCSU 2020-2021)

Currently: PhD candidate in Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University

J. Thomas Howard, (NCSU 2017-2019)

Currently: Bioinformatics Analyst, Q^2 Solutions

Palak Desai, (NCSU 2017-2018)

Currently: PhD candidate in Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto

Emma Davis, (NCSU 2016-2018)

Gabbie Robbins, (NCSU 2015-2017)

Currently: DVM PhD Candidate, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Marcos Castro, (NCSU 2015-2016)

Katherine Cupo, (NCSU 2014-2016)

Currently: Postdoctoral research fellow at the Cleveland Clinic Florida Research and Innovation Center

Hannah Jones, (NCSU 2012-2014)

Jessica Powell, University of Surrey (summer research at NCSU 2013)

Fiona Ryrie, University of Surrey (summer research at NCSU 2012)

Austin Anzivino, (NCSU 2011-2012)

Abby Reif, (NCSU 2010-2012)

Philip Wright, (NCSU 2009-2010)

David “Quint” Reid, (NCSU 2008-2011)

Currently: General Internal Medicine Physician in Florida

Kendall Smith, (NCSU 2008)

Salili Desai, Rice University (summer research at NCSU 2008)

Ronald “Aaron” Garner, (NCSU 2006-2008)

Currently: Associate Teaching Professor and Assistant Department Head for Undergraduate Ethics, Penn State Eberly College of Science

Myra (Fulp) Southwell, (NCSU 2005-2009)

Currently: Veterinarian, Hambright Animal Hospital

Kolin Griffin, (NCSU 2004-2005)

Patoula Panangos, (USF 2003-2003)

Currently: Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Pediatric Physician, Department of Pediatrics, Rush Medical College