Johanna Holman, B.S.
Master’s of Science, Human Nutrition and Food Sciences
Johanna joined the lab in fall 2020 to investigate the effects of diet on the gut microbiome, and on host-microbial interactions. For the past several years, she has been working with Drs. Tao Zhang and Yanyan Li at Husson University, and her project will combine her previous work on the nutritional biochemistry of broccoli with effects on gut microbes.
2020-2021 University of Maine Graduate Student Employee of the Year
Sarah Hosler, B.S.
Master’s of Science, Animal Science
Sarah is from Newton, NJ and has lived in NJ her whole life until she started college at Albright College in PN. Her undergraduate research was on protein classification. Sarah joined the lab in fall 2020 to create new methods for studying host-microbial interactions.
“I am excited to see how much I grow through my graduate experience at the University of Maine. I’m also a little bit nervous about the cold, but I’m sure I will get used to it.”
Sarah, Apr 2020
Myra Arshad
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Ecosystems and Human Impact, Stony Brook University
Myra is a Research Assistant for the Ishaq Lab, who was accepted to the University of Maine’s 2021 Summer REU program. Due to the ongoing pandemic, she is conducting remote research for the Ishaq lab by doing data analysis on camel metagenomic data. At her home institution she conducts ecotoxicology research under Dr. Pochron, where she looks at plastic mulch’s impact on worm and microbial health. She hopes to integrate environmental health with human health, and pursue public health through an anti-racist approach.
Joe Balkan
Undergraduate Researcher, Biology, Tufts University
Joe Balkan is from South Burlington, Vermont and is majoring in biology at Tufts University. He enjoys research related to human health, and is especially interested in the microbiome. Joe is researching protocols for the lab’s investigation of broccoli bioactive metabolism in the gut.
Dorien Baudewyns, B.S.
Research Assistant, Husson University
Dorien is a research assistant at Husson University, who is working with the Ishaq lab and with Drs. Tao Zhang and Yanyan Li at Husson University. She is assisting with projects related to bioactive compounds in broccoli, gut microbes, and health. She recently graduated with her bachelor’s in Nutrition from Husson.
Louisa Colucci
Undergraduate researcher, Health Science, Husson University
Louisa is a Health Science major, originally from Saco, Maine. She is conducting undergraduate research for her Senior Capstone project at Husson University with Drs. Tao Zhang and Yanyan Li. She joined the Ishaq team in 2021 and is currently exploring the effects of broccoli phytonutrients on anaerobic gut microbes.
Rebecca French
Undergraduate Researcher, Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Rebecca is an animal and veterinary science student with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. She joined the Ishaq lab team in 2021 as a part of her capstone project, which is focused on flying squirrels and mice that are carrying zoonotic pathogens into Maine.
2021 J. Franklin Witter Undergraduate Research Endowment Fund
Nick Hershbine
Undergraduate Researcher, Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Nick is exploring the microbial communities associated with wild Maine blueberry soils in a joint project between Drs. Lily Calderwood and Ishaq.
2020-2021 University of Maine Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year
Grace Lee, B.S.
Research Assistant, Neuroscience, Bowdoin College
Grace was accepted to the University of Maine REU program for summer 2020, which was postponed due to pandemic concerns. She joined the Ishaq lab remotely to learn data analysis for a project on microbes and animal health. She hopes to continue her love for science and service in a future career in the medical field as a clinical physician. Her passions outside of school work include playing the viola and spreading awareness of different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. She recently graduate with her bachelor’s in Neuroscience from Bowdoin.
Omar Tavio
Research Assistant, Husson University
Lab Affiliates
Adwoa Dankwa, M.S.
Doctorate of Philosophy, Human Nutrition and Food Sciences, Adviser: Dr. Jennifer Perry
Adwoa is a graduate student in Food Science and Human Nutrition department. Adwoa’s work in the Perry lab is focused on understanding the microbial and chemical composition of fermented non-dairy low alcohol beverages and how these influence consumer acceptability over time. Dr. Ishaq serves on Adwoa’s committee to provide expert advice on microbial ecology, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis. Aside from formal mentorship, Dr. Ishaq provides insight, support, and encouragement in all areas that are deemed helpful in making Adwoa succeed in her program. Adwoa originally hails from Ghana and is loving all the seasons Maine has to offer.
Alice Hotopp, M.S.
Doctorate of Philosophy candidate, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Advisors: Drs. Kristina Cammen and Brian Olsen.
Alice is a PhD candidate in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, co-advised by Drs. Kristina Cammen and Brian Olsen. Alice is part of the Genomic Ecology of Coastal Organisms (GECO) research group, which studies the genomic basis of adaptation in sparrow species inhabiting tidal salt marshes along the Atlantic coast of North America. Alice’s research focuses on understanding potential evolutionary drivers of plumage coloration, such as plumage microbial communities, in tidal marsh sparrows.
Marjorie Killerby, B.S.
Master’s of Science, Animal Science, Adviser: Dr. Juan Romero
Marjorie is a Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine originally from Lima, Peru and is currently studying to earn a Masters in Animal Science in the University of Maine, Orono. She is researching the effects of novel preservatives on nutritional quality and microbial communities in silage and hay for the dairy industry. I am mentoring Marjorie as a graduate committee member in microbial ecology, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis.
Tindall Ouverson, B.S., M.S.
Master’s of Science, Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University. Adviser: Drs. Fabian Menalled and Tim Seipel
Tindall graduated in May 2018 with a B.S. in Sustainability Science, summa cum laude, from Furman University in Greenville, SC. She defended her Master’s of Science in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences with Drs. Fabian Menalled and Tim Seipel in July 2021. Specifically, her research focused on the response of soil microbial communities to cropping systems and climate change in semiarid agriculture. I mentored Tindall as a graduate committee member in microbial ecology, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis.
Ouverson, Laura Tindall, “Response Of Soil Bacterial Communities To Cropping Systems, Temporal Changes, And Environmental Conditions In The Northern Great Plains.” 2021. Montana State University. Pp 126.
First prize in the graduate students poster competition at the 2021 Montana State University LRES research colloquium
Join the lab
Interested in our work? Please read the information provided to determine if the Ishaq lab might be right for you before inquiring. Still interested? Send your CV and a brief explanation of what you want to study and why you want to join a research lab.
