members — microbial ecosystems lab

Dr. Smruthi Karthikeyan

Gordon and Carol Treweek Assistant Professor, William H. Hurt Scholar

Engineering and Applied Science

Affiliated Faculty- Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE)

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Cathryn Holmes

Research Lab Technician

B.A. Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley

Cathryn’s research interests include environmental and systems microbiology, as well multi-omic analysis of the microbiome. In her free time she likes road tripping to National Parks, crafting, and catching up on her Goodreads reading challenge.

Grace Solini

Graduate Student (Biology and Biological Engineering)

B.S. Computational and Applied Mathematics and Statistics, The College of William and Mary (Virginia)

Grace’s research interests span from developmental biology to ecological microbiology, but her unifying focus is to utilize an integrative systems approach to answer complex biological questions. Outside of work, she enjoys roller-skating and finding any excuse to talk about her three lovely pets.

Sal Ibarra

Graduate Student (Biological Engineering)

B.S. Biological Engineering with a minor in Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sal is interested in how microbial communities form and communicate. He wants to focus on the plant microbiome in hopes of more sustainable agricultural practices. In the past he worked in the Chisholm Lab at MIT studying Prochlorococcus, a marine cyanobacteria. His hobbies include rock climbing, hiking, gardening and cooking.

Michael Anne Bolene

Graduate Student (Medical Engineering)

B.S. Biological Engineering, Columbia University

Michael Anne is interested in using multi-omic analysis to identify ways of using bacterial communities as biomarkers, both for human and environmental health. When she’s not in the lab, she likes going for long walks and cooking fun gluten-free foods.

Zahra Shivji

Graduate Student (Chemical Engineering)

B.S. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with a minor in Economics, Georgia Institute of Technology (2022)

During her time at Georgia Tech, Zahra studied atmospheric chemistry and low-cost particulate matter sensors under the direction of Dr. Sally Ng. After graduating, she worked at an Atlanta-based solid-state lithium battery company. Now in graduate school, she is interested in exploring the changing dynamics of soil microbial community carbon storage capacities due to climate change. In her free time, Zahra enjoys biking, gardening, thrifting, and crafting.

Honorary Members

Nadia Suryawinata

Graduate student in the Mazmanian lab (Biology and Biological Engineering)

Nadia is broadly interested in how the environment modulates an animal's behavioral resilience. In the Mazmanian lab, she is focused on uncovering gut microbial communities that improve the functioning of antidepressants in mouse models of behavior. Her project couples techniques spanning microbial metabolomics and mouse neurophysiology. Outside of work, Nadia enjoys rock climbing, cooking, scoping out LA's best eateries and tending to her houseplants.