Lab Members — Summer 2025
- Adriana L. Romero-Olivares, Principal Investigator - Kate Gottwald, graduate student - Inoka Jayasundara, graduate student - Maya Claussen, undergraduate student - Christine Yoo, undergraduate student - Brittany Byford, lab technician
Past Lab Members
Phoenix Person (Chemistry major); Renae Hunt (Computer Sciences major); Sarah Ramirez (MS student); Caleb Jimenez (Food Sciences major); Emily Embury (MS student); Abril Romero (Biochemistry major); Shad Abubaker (Chemistry major); Marcos Marmolejo (Biology major); Daniela Palacios (Chemical Engineering major); Diego Ruiz (Biology major); Andrea López (lab manager); Jessica Bennet (Biology major and summer lab technician); Gisell Valdez (visiting scholar)
Common Questions
Who heads the Fungal Ecology Lab?
Dr. Adriana L. Romero-Olivares, Assistant Professor and principal investigator, leads the lab. Her CV is linked from the People page.
Who is currently in the lab?
The Summer 2025 roster on this page includes Adriana L. Romero-Olivares (PI), Kate Gottwald (graduate student), Inoka Jayasundara (graduate student), Maya Claussen (undergraduate student), Christine Yoo (undergraduate student), and Brittany Byford (lab technician).
Are undergraduates part of the lab?
Yes. The current roster features undergraduate students, and the past members list includes undergraduates from majors such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computer Sciences, Food Sciences, and Chemical Engineering.
Who has previously been part of the lab?
Past members listed on this page include Phoenix Person, Renae Hunt, Sarah Ramirez, Caleb Jimenez, Emily Embury, Abril Romero, Shad Abubaker, Marcos Marmolejo, Daniela Palacios, Diego Ruiz, Andrea López, Jessica Bennet, and Gisell Valdez.
What topics does the lab research?
The lab investigates fungi, microbial ecology, and soil biology, as described across the site's Research and Publications pages.
Where can I find more about the lab's research?
Head to the Research page for current projects and the Publications page for peer-reviewed work by the lab.
The Fungal Ecology Lab brings together graduate and undergraduate researchers to explore fungi, microbial ecology, and soil biology. Current and past members have come from fields such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computer Sciences, Food Sciences, and Chemical Engineering, reflecting the lab's interdisciplinary approach. For details on ongoing projects and published findings, explore the Research and Publications pages.