Lab Members

donia@princeton.edu

 

Research Interests:  Small-molecule-mediated interactions in complex microbial communities

 

 

Postdoctoral Fellow

jl103@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I had my PhD in Microbiology at Rutgers University in studying the eco-physiology of organohalide respiring bacteria from marine environment. My broad research interests are the interaction of microorganisms with its environments/hosts. In Donia lab, I study the chemical sequestration and kleptoplasty in a complex tripartite marine symbiosis.

Postdoctoral Fellow

pestrada@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I obtained my B.S in Forensic Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I then went to Hunter College where I worked in the Kawamura lab isolating small molecules from soil bacteria. For my PhD I went to the University of Illinois (UIUC) and worked in the Nair lab on the biochemical and structural characterization of enzymes involved small molecule biosynthesis. In the Donia lab I will be investigating small molecules from the human microbiome.

Postdoctoral Fellow

elmassry@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I received my Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt. Then, I obtained my Ph.D. in biology from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. In my dissertation, I focused on Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis during sepsis in trauma patients. In Donia lab, I study the contribution of the gut microbiota to the human metabolome (and health). I value collaborative research and teaching. I enjoy reading, humanities talks, Tai Chi, sports, and video games.

Postdoctoral Fellow

rw6686@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I grew up in Shanghai, China, and received my B.S. degree from Fudan University. I then received my Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis from Weill Cornell Medical College before joining the Donia lab. My top interests are host-microbe interactions in health and disease. Outside of the lab, I enjoy birdwatching, photography, and traveling.

Postdoctoral Fellow

li7497@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I received my BSc in Physical and Biomolecular Sciences, following to Organic and Biological Chemistry grad school, at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, where I also obtained my MSc and PhD. In Donia lab, I am investigating the biosynthesis machinery of marine symbionts to produce unique natural products scaffolds. Outside of the lab, I enjoy listening podcasts and doing puzzles together with a nice cup of tea.

Postdoctoral Fellow

luisjl@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I received my BsC and MSc in Animal Science at National University of Trujillo (Peru) and Bonn University (Germany). Later I got my PhD at the University of Bonn / JLU- Giessen (Germany) studying the biosynthesis of natural products from marine bacteria. I am highly interested in understanding the role of secreted metabolites in microbial communities. In Donia lab I study the regulation and biosynthesis of small molecules produced by obligated bacterial endosymbionts and marine bacteroidetes. Outside of the lab I enjoy watching/reading Sci-FI, swimming and cooking.

Postdoctoral Fellow

am4115@princeton.edu

 

Bio:  I received my BSc and master degrees from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Egypt. I Obtained my PhD From Kyushu University, Japan in the field of the development of cytotoxic and neuroprotective compounds from natural products. In the Donia lab, I am investigating small molecules from marine symbionts and their biological activities. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music on long walks and watching movies.

Postdoctoral Fellow

sh1646@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I am from South Korea. I received my BS in Pharmacy from Seoul National University. For my PhD, I studied about microbial natural product chemistry, especially structure elucidation at the same school. In Donia lab, I am interested in the expression of genes and discovery of the compounds from human microbiome. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, reading and travelling around.

CBE Graduate Student

shuow@princeton.edu

 

Bio:  I received my B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2016 from UC Berkeley, CA. I am interested in applying statistical models and machine learning methods to analyze biological data. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the cities, playing tennis, and playing video games.

QCB Graduate Student, joint with Ned Wingreen

jglopez@princeton.edu

 

Bio:  I received my BSE in chemical engineering from Arizona State University and was an undergraduate researcher at the Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology. I'm broadly interested in using mechanistic modeling to better understand the inner workings of microbial communities. Currently, my work focuses on the implications of trade-offs in microbial communities and the interplay between drugs and the human microbiome.

Mol Bio Graduate Student

yjl2@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I was born in Holmdel, NJ and grew up in Plano Texas. I received my Bachelors at Washington University in St. Louis and enrolled in the MPH program specializing in Global Health where I studied undernutrition, helminthic diseases, and community participatory approaches in international settings. I later received an MEng in Energy, Environment, and Chemical Engineering from WashU and worked to develop probiotics that regulate neurotransmitters. In the Donia Lab, I plan to study the bacterial secretome. Outside of lab, I am the co-founder of the graduate think tank club Innovative Approaches in Science, play for the Princeton club field hockey team, enjoy long walks on the beach, and cooking.

Mol Bio Graduate Student

cday@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I grew up in northern California and received my B.S. in Biology from the California Institute of Technology. In the Donia lab, I will be studying antibiotic resistance. Outside of research, I enjoy travelling, playing video games and doing puzzles.

Mol Bio Graduate Student

jongbeom@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I grew up in Daegu, South Korea and received my BA in Biology from Grinnell College. I am broadly interested in evolutionary biology and developmental biology. I currently plan to investigate the role of peptides in mammalian development. My hobbies include indoor rock climbing, driving, and eating.

Mol Bio Undergraduate

cah11@princeton.edu

 

Bio: I am a proud Tejano from Manvel, Texas, and member of the Class of 2022. My work in the lab is investigating possible origins of antibiotic biosynthesis genes in human microbiome organisms. My other interests include studying Amerindian oral history, serving in Princeton Christian Fellowship, scootering, and observing native flora with friends.

Mol Bio Undergraduate, joint with Ned Wingreen

mtd4@princeton.edu

 

Bio:  I am from Central Pennsylvania and a member of the Class of 2022. I am working jointly with the Donia and Wingreen labs, exploring the quantification of bacterial defense systems and how they interface with various cellular properties. My other hobbies include, singing in the Princeton Chapel Choir, volunteering with a mental health hotline, and listening to audiobooks on long walks. 

Lab Manager

chatsamp@princeton.edu

Faculty Assistant       

schmedel@princeton.edu