Alexandria Fahey, B.S.
Masters of Professional Studies
Molecular and Biomedical Sciences
Alexandria is studying to earn a Masters of Professional Studies in Microbiology at the University of Maine, Orono. She is interested in learning new techniques to better understand the microbiome and its intersection with human health. She is inspired by the scientists who serve as good communicators to the public, and looks to work on her own writing while at Maine. Alexandria is originally from Austin, TX and has fully embraced the additional two seasons experienced in New England.
Johanna Holman, B.S.
Fall 2020 Masters of Science
Human Nutrition and Food Sciences
Johanna is joining the lab in Fall 2020 to investigate the effects of diet on the gut microbiome, and on host-microbial interactions.
Sarah Hosler, B.S.
Fall 2020 Masters 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 is joining 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
Jade Chin
Undergraduate Researcher
Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Biology
Jade is an Animal and Veterinary Sciences major with a pre-veterinary concentration, originally from Connecticut. She will be joining the lab in Summer 2020 to study leaf silage microbes for her Honors thesis. She plans to study abroad at the University of Glasgow during her senior year and attend their veterinary school after her undergraduate degree.
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.
Grace Lee
Undergraduate Researcher
Neuroscience, Bowdoin College
Grace was accepted to the University of Maine REU program for summer 2020, which was postponed due to pandemic concerns. She’ll be joining 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.
Emily Pierce
Undergraduate Researcher
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Emily is an Animal and Veterinary Sciences major with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine and a minor in microbiology from central Vermont. She joined the lab in Spring 2020 to study work on culturing rumen cells and the immune factor production after coculturing with microbes. After finishing her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending school for Veterinary Medicine.
Lab Affiliates
Adwoa Dankwa, M.S.
Doctorate of Philosophy
Human Nutrition and Food Sciences, Adviser: Dr. Jen Perry
Adwoa’s work in the Perry lab focuses on fermented beverages. I am mentoring Adwoa as a graduate committee member in microbial ecology, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis.
Marjorie Killerby, B.S.
Master’s of Science
Animal Science, Adviser: 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.
Master’s of Science
Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University. Adviser: Dr. Fabian Menalled and Dr. Tim Seipel
Tindall graduated in May 2018 with a B.S. in Sustainability Science, summa cum laude, from Furman University in Greenville, SC. Currently, she is conducting research in the Weed and Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Group with Drs. Fabian Menalled and Tim Seipel. Specifically, her research focuses on the response of soil microbial communities to cropping systems and climate change in semiarid agriculture. I am mentoring Tindall as a graduate committee member in microbial ecology, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis.
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.
