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Principal Investigator | Melissa Ellermann, Ph.D.

Melissa earned her Ph.D. at UNC-Chapel Hill in Balfour Sartor's lab. Her graduate studies focused on how dietary iron alters the gut microbiota and how these changes impact risk for inflammatory bowel diseases. She also collected and smashed lots of mouse poop, a cutting-edge strategy used by researchers to sample the gut microbiota. She continued her mouse poop research as a postdoctoral fellow in Janelle Arthur's lab, where she investigated how dysregulated iron metabolism in E. coli - strains that naturally live in our guts - can promote fibrosis, a serious complication that develops in many inflammatory diseases. Melissa completed her postdoctoral training at UT Southwestern in Vanessa Sperandio's lab. There, she studied how our body's lipid hormones (specifically endocannabinoids) can regulate the virulence of foodborne pathogens like Salmonella and enterohemorrhagic E. coli - the very culprit responsible for the periodic mass disappearances of romaine lettuce from grocery store shelves. Melissa is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina.

Ph.D. Research Assistant | Mary Mitchell
USC SPARC Grant Recipient & SC INBRE SIRP Recipient

Mary is a fifth year graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology. She is from Manchester, TN where she lived until moving to Knoxville, TN for her undergraduate studies. She completed her undergraduate degree in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering with a double major in Microbiology at the University of Tennessee. Her undergraduate research consisted of identifying genetic determinants of cold storage survival of Campylobacter jejuni in a microbiology lab, separating ionic species across a cation exchange membrane in a chemical engineering lab, and coatings and adhesives materials science research in industry. Mary is interested in Molecular Biology and Microbiology and is particularly interested in studying the interactions between the gut microbiome and host cells. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading a good book, and spending time with her cat, Atlas.

Ph.D. Research Assistant | Mikayla Carty
USC SPARC Grant Recipient & SC INBRE MSP Recipient

Mikayla is a third year graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Mikayla grew up in Philadelphia, PA before attending the University of South Carolina where she earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences. Mikayla has a strong passion for both science and art, as she minored in art studio, and wants to continue to pursue these passions in her future career. Mikayla began her graduate studies in a plant biology lab and has since joined Dr. Ellermann’s lab to focus her research on how lipids affect intestinal health and the gut microbiome. When not in the lab, Mikayla enjoys walking her dog, Luci, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

Ph.D. Research Assistant | Lindsey Baker

Lindsey is a first year PhD student in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology. She is from North Augusta, SC and received her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina Beaufort in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Her undergraduate research focused on early-stage drug therapeutic development for neglected tropical diseases including Leishmaniasis and Chagas’ disease. Her research interest in the Ellermann laboratory is on how abnormalities within the endocannabinoid system may influence host susceptibility to inflammatory bowel diseases. When she is not in the laboratory, she loves to read, play cozy video games, and travel.

Ph.D. Research Assistant | Nayeli Duckworth

Nayeli is a first year PhD student in Biological Sciences. She is from Raleigh, North Carolina, and received her Bachelor's of Science Public Health Nutrition and Bachelor of Art in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill. Her undergraduate research experience was in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and choline, specifically using bioinformatics and computational biology on the gut microbiome to understand compositional changes. After transitioning to the Ellermann Lab, she is continuing work in the gut microbiome, exploring endocannabinoids and inflammatory bowel diseases. When she is not in the lab, you will find Nayeli at the gym prepping for her next race or competition.

Research Technician | Kayla Floyd

Kayla graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. She is born and raised from Columbia, SC, she enjoys escape rooms, gaming, and spending time with her family and 3 pets in her free time. Her 2-year-old Doberman Tiny and her 2 Cats Vermont and Krunch. Kayla is enthusiastic about the research process and eager to explore the impact of the gut microbiome on the host. With a deep passion for animals, she aspires to attend veterinary school and eventually open her own clinic to provide veterinary care for animals in need.

M.S. Research Assistant | Emily Vignieri

Emily is a second-year graduate student pursuing her M.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology. She is originally from Long Island, NY, and attended the University of South Carolina where she earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Spanish. Emily was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Zeta Sigma Sorority and Tri Beta Biological Honor Society. During her undergraduate degree, Emily took 10 undergraduate lab courses and managed to graduate in 3 years. Emily has a particular interest in Microbiology and interactions within host gut microbiomes and is currently researching lipid interactions with the gut microbiome. Outside of the lab, Emily enjoys reading, beach days, and hanging out with her cat Molly.

Undergraduate Research Assistant | Mary Archambault
USC Honors College SURF Recipient and Magellan Scholar

Mary is a senior Public Health major and Biology minor on the pre-med track. She is most interested in research that involves the intersection between infectious disease and public health as well as clinical treatments of Crohn’s Disease. Mary is from Charleston, SC and enjoys running half marathons in her free time.

Undergraduate Research Assistant | Andrew Pana
USC UREP, Honors College SURF, and Magellan Mini-Grant Recipient

Andrew is a senior on the pre-med track, and double-majoring in Biology and Spanish. He is interested in research with applications to human health, and the fields of pathology, cell and molecular biology, and gastroenterology. He hopes to attend medical school and specialize in emergency medicine or surgery. Andrew is from Chaska, Minnesota, and greatly appreciates the change in weather that South Carolina has to offer. In his free time, Andrew enjoys eating sushi, being active, and volunteering in the community.

Undergraduate Research Assistant | Hermella Demsie
USC Honors College Grant Recipient

Hermella is a junior Biology major with a minor in Chemistry on the pre-med track. Her research interests include microbiology and pathology. Hermella is from Charlotte, NC, and she likes to read, take day trips to the beach or mountains, and listen to R&B music in her free time.

Undergraduate Research Assistant | Grace Margulies
USC Honors College Grant Recipient

Grace is a junior studying Biology on the path to graduate school. Her research interests include cell biology and genetics. She was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee and enjoys cheering on both the Gamecocks and Vols.

Undergraduate Research Assistant | Addison Budsberg
USC Magellan Journey Award Recipient

Addison is a senior neuroscience major from The Woodlands, Texas, and is currently on the path to medical school! Her research interests lie in oncology, immunology, pathology, and virology in order to better comprehend how disease affects the body and what lifestyle and/or genetic factors influence its effect. She is a strong advocate for mental health and encouraging people to take care of themselves in order to care for others.

Undergraduate Research Assistant | Ashlyn Davidson
USC Honors College Grant Recipient

Ashlyn is a junior Public Health major on the pre-PA track with a concentration in pediatrics. She is interested in research pertaining to the genetics behind the gut-microbiome and its impact on diseases. Ashlyn is from Roswell, GA and enjoys trips to the beach and listening to music in her free time.

Undergraduate Research Assistant | Bailey Allen
USC Honors College Grant Recipient

Bailey is a junior Biology major with a minor in Chemistry on the pre-dental track. Her research interests include all things related to microbiology and molecular biology. She is from Gastonia, North Carolina and enjoys spending free time with her family and friends.

Undergraduate Research Assistant | Olivia Rometo

Olivia is a senior Biology major in the lab. She is originally from Marietta, Georgia.

Lab Alumni - Where are they now?

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Lab Alumni - Where are they now?