The Ishaq Lab is saying goodbye to a large group of students this May! They are off to start the next phase of their career, but they’ll be staying in touch as we continue to analyze data and write up our research results into articles for publication in scientific journals, which can be a lengthy process.
Lola Holcomb, B.S., PhD.
Doctorate of Philosophy, Biomedical Science
Lola Holcomb just defended her PhD dissertation, and is searching for postdoctoral positions which combine her love of data exploration with her passion for teaching. Lola will continue to collaborate with us to transition her dissertation into publications.
Dr. Tolu Esther Alaba, PhD
PostDoctoral Researcher, Cedars Sinai
Tolu Alaba defended her PhD dissertation last summer, but traveled back to Maine from California to join us for graduation! She’s been working as a postdoctoral researcher at Cedars Sinai on immunological pathways in inflation. Tolu continues to collaborate with us on numerous writing projects.
Marissa Kinney, M.S.
Master of Science, Microbiology, 2024
Marissa completed her Masters in December, but is returning for the May graduation, and has been seeking microbiology technician jobs in Maine. She continues to collaborate with us on several writing projects.
Benjamin Hunt
Undergraduate researcher, Pre-Med Biology, 2025
Timothy Hunt
Undergraduate researcher, Pre-Med Biology, 2025
Timothy and Benjamin Hunt are graduating with their B.S. in Biology with a premedical concentration, and have been with the lab for the longest duration of any undergraduates in the lab. They contributed data to two publications in 2023, completed their own data analysis project which they are preparing as a manuscript, and they have led a literature review and meta-analysis, which is also being developed into a manuscript. They will continue to collaborate with the lab to finish writing up these projects for a few months, as they are taking a gap year to gain hands-on experience before heading to medical school!
Isaac Mains
Undergraduate Researcher, Microbiology, 2025
Isaac Mains is graduating with his B.S. in Microbiology. He’s been with the lab for the 24/25 academic year, most of which was spent assisting graduate student Alexis Kirkendall complete Western Blots and ELISAs to study the effect of bioactive from broccoli or bacteria on colon cells in culture.
Emelia Tremblay
Undergraduate Researcher, Microbiology, University of Maine, 2025
Emelia Trembley is graduating with a B.S. in Microbiology, and has been with the lab for a year. Emelia has been performing lab work on a variety of bacterial culturing projects, as well as graciously contributing to much of the administration and organization needed to keep the lab running smoothly.
Cintia Bukaka is graduating with her B.S. in Microbiology this summer, and has been with the lab for the last few months to complete her Capstone research experience. She has been learning a variety of lab techniques while assisting grad students in the lab.
The Ishaq Lab 