Anika Rueppell, BS

PhD Student

Joint student with Brian Conlon lab

Who am I … I grew up in Greensboro, NC, before getting my BSc in Immunology and Human Biology at the University of Toronto in Canada. While at U of T, I did computational research in systemic inflammatory diseases under the supervision of Dr. Linda Hiraki at the Hospital for Sick Children. 

I am most excited … to use zebrafish for the visualization of in vivo host-pathogen dynamics and explore. how host cells contribute to S. aureus treatment failure.

I aspire to … become a confident and independent scientist with strong research and mentorship abilities.

Besides science, I love … bouldering, pottery, and spending time with friends.

Ethan Bedsole, MS

PhD student

Who am I… I grew up for most of my life in Kernersville, North Carolina. I received both my bachelor’s in Biology and a master’s degree in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology from East Carolina University. 

I aspire to … use the techniques and knowledge gained from working in the lab to enter academia to show students the joy and excitement of research.

I am most excited … about learning new experimental techniques and further developing techniques to better understand biological issues related to the immune system and neuronal health. 

Besides science, I love …playing tennis and spending time with family.

Mady Chlebowski, BS

PhD Student

Joint student with Jiakun Chen lab

Who am I… I am originally from a small town in North Eastern Pennsylvania, but come to UNC-CH by way of Madison, Wisconsin. At UW-Madison, in the lab of Dr. Katie Drerup, I explored molecular mechanisms underpinning proper cargo transport in zebrafish lateral line neurons. Prior to that, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, teaching English and promoting student-centered learning in Indonesia.  I received my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Ithaca College where, in the lab of Dr. Ian Woods, I studied development and function of somatosensory neurons in zebrafish. 

I aspire to …uncover and understand the role of disrupted immune, neuronal, and glial interactions in the context of neurodegenerative disease. Ultimately, I hope to apply what I learn in the Shiau Lab to teach and perform research at an undergraduate-focused institution where I can help foster a new generation of scientists!

I am most excited … about being able to leverage the larval zebrafish to examine complex cellular dynamics within and across cell types (such as macrophages, neurons, and astrocytes) live and in vivo.

Besides science, I love … hiking, reading, and biking. Most of all I love coffee and trying out new coffee shops! 

Nicole Wei, BS

PhD Student

Who am I… I am from Shenzhen, China and went to school in Louisville, Kentucky when I was 13. I graduated from Boston College in 3 years with double majors in Biology and Studio Art (photography). In Dr.Kenneth Williams’ lab at BC, I investigated the effect of ART and ART-Off on macrophage accumulation and trafficking from the CNS to the DRGs in SIV-infected rhesus macaques.

I am most excited about… about learning new techniques and using the zebrafish model to investigate macrophage biology.

I aspire to… uncover macrophages trafficking mechanism/response to pathogens/injuries in fast-turnout zebrafish model.

Besides science, I love…photography (@nicolewei_photography), cooking, traveling.

Matt Hamilton, MS

PhD Student

Who am I… I grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, and lived in Basel, Switzerland for high school.  I received my baccalaureate from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and master’s degree in the Environmental Toxicology program at Clemson University.

I am most excited about… using advanced techniques in our lab, such as genetic screens, genome editing, and in vivo imaging, to characterize new pathways that could provide insights to innate immune dysregulation.

I aspire to… use what I have learned in graduate school and will learn in the Shiau lab to conduct biomedical research.

Besides science, I love… hanging out with friends, being outside, traveling, and going to the beach.

Monzur Morshed, MS

PhD Student

Who am I… I am from Bangladesh. I did my bachelor’s and master’s in microbiology at Noakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh. After that, I did my second masters in Taiwan under the supervision of Professor Tsung-Han Lee. In Dr. Lee’s lab, I tried to investigate questions related to the environmental effects on host-microbe interaction in a euryhaline fish. 

I am most excited about… to use the advanced techniques available in the Shiau lab to study the enteric nervous system in zebrafish. 

I aspire to… learn new research skills and become a competent researcher.  

Besides science, I love… cooking and trying new dishes, reading books, and watching movies. 

Ananya Solanki

Undergraduate Researcher

Who am I… I am a UNC undergraduate student from Morrisville, North Carolina majoring in Neuroscience and English.

I am most excited about… to learn from and collaborate with the research team, using lab tools and techniques to deepen my understanding and transform my interests into meaningful research questions and experiments.

I aspire to… grow my skills in scientific thinking and problem-solving to creatively and thoroughly explore my curiosities.  

Besides science, I love… playing video games with my sister, reading, writing poetry, and hiking.

Warren Wang

Undergraduate Researcher

Who am I… I grew up in Shanghai, China, lived a few years in Lakeville, Connecticut, and returned to Shenzhen, China. I am a sophomore at UNC, pursuing my bachelor’s in Biology and Philosophy. 

I am most excited about… to learn about new experimental techniques and macrophages’ various functions in different tissues, as well as to work with zebrafish!

I aspire to… pursue a PhD in Biology and to become an independent scientist.  

Besides science, I love… playing squash, reading, and traveling.