People
CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
Jeffrey A. Yoder, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator – jayoder@ncsu.edu
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6083-1311Jeff 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.
Ashley Connors
GRADUATE STUDENT – ACONNOR@NCSU.EDU
Ashley graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2017 with a BS 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 BS 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 PhD in Genetics.
Jacob Driggers
Technician – jhdrigge@ncsu.edu
Jacob graduated from North Carolina State University in 2023 with a BS in Microbiology and a minor in Global Health. Throughout his undergraduate career, he worked to develop a high-throughput infection assay using larval zebrafish. He is currently studying the effects of immunotoxins on cytokine production
Brett Shore
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
LAB ALUMNI
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
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
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
Jeff Buidens, (USF 2003)
Kathryn Heal, (USF 2002-2003)
Robert Buzzeo, (USF 2002-2003)
Matthew Buzzeo, (USF 2003-2004)
High School Students
Jacob Driggers, Triangle Math & Science Academy, Cary, NC (summer 2018)
Anika Palekar, Panther Creek High School, Cary, NC (summer 2018)
Kidus Kudumu-Clavell, Research Triangle High School, RTP, NC (summer 2018)
Carlos Rivera, Millbrook High School, Raleigh, NC (summer 2012)