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Lab Members

Bucci Lab – 2023

Tasia Kellogg, Abigail Zeamer, Shakti Bhattarai, Benedikt Mortzfeld, Cyrus Alexander, Vanni Bucci, Ziyuan Huang

	I am an engineer by training with a background in machine learning, mathematical modeling and synthetic microbiology. I am very much interested in problems of computational systems biology and microbial ecology involving genomics and metagenomics. I want to understand mechanisms responsible for the temporal and spatial dynamics of complex biological systems and develop tools to predict and engineer them. I like to row or play electric guitar in my spare time and I am fond of ancient roman and greek history and literature.
Vanni Bucci	Full Professor Associate Editor for Guest Editor at	Google Scholar ORCiD X Gut Microbes mSystems Microbial Cell JoVE

	I am interested in exploring associations/mechanisms involved in host-microbiome interactions during infection (Tuberculosis, C. diff etc.) by leveraging cross-sectional and longitudinal multi-model datasets. I program in R for data exploration and visualization. In my spare time I enjoy playing guitar.
Shakti K. Bhattarai	Senior Bioinformatician	Google Scholar

	I am interested in how bacterial antimicrobial peptides affect the ecological dynamics in the gut environment and how we can use that knowledge to engineer probiotic bacteria to target clinically relevant human pathogens. In my spare time I like to explore new places on hikes and during traveling or enjoy a BBQ at hGutome.
Benedikt M. Mortzfeld	Instructor Associate Editor for Guest Editor at	Google Scholar LinkedIn ORCiD Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins JoVE Gut Microbes

	I am a Postdoctoral Associate interesed in exploring a combination of synthetic microbiology as well as targeted microbiome therapy to improve the host immune response and health outcomes for various human pathogens and colitis. In my spare time I like playing badminton, traveling, photography, and listening to music.
Pharvendra Kumar	Postdoctoral Associate	LinkedIn ResearchGate X

	I am currently a PhD student exploring the interface between intestinal microbes and the innate immune system, and their subsequent role during disease states, like C. diff infections. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy hiking and backpacking with my dogs, rock climbing, and horseback riding.
Tasia D. Kellogg	Biomedical Sciences Student	ResearchGate ORCiD

	I am a graduate student primarily interested in using computational approaches to probe the relationship between the microbiome and neurodegenerative diseases. When not in the lab or at my desk, I enjoy rowing, rock climbing, hiking, and spending time with my cat and rabbit.
Abigail L. Zeamer	Biomedical Sciences Student	ORCiD ResearchGate

	I am a data scientist and SQL Server developer with expertise in the healthcare and financial sectors. I specialize in utilizing Python, R, and SQL for various tasks including deep learning, data exploration, data visualization, data management, and ETL. I am highly enthusiastic and eager to explore collaborative opportunities at the intersection of deep learning and healthcare. Outside of work, I indulge in my passion for traveling and biking.
Ziyuan Huang	Postdoctoral Associate (Bucci & Haran Labs)	LinkedIn

	I am a part time PhD student and full-time employee in the biotechnology industry, specializing in cell and gene therapy. I am interested in the application of gene editing technologies in the study and treatment of diseases. When I have free time, I enjoy long distance running, hiking, golf, and spending time with my dog.
Katherine E. Galindo	Graduate Student UMassD	LinkedIn

Henry Parker	Summer intern (Undergraduate student at UCSB)	2023 & 2024
V. Suhas Maringanti	PhD Engineering and Applied Sciences UMassD	2023
Haley Dupre	Undergraduate Researcher UMassD	2021
Armani Tayeh	MS Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology	2020
Jacob Palmer	PhD Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology	2019
Matthew Simmons	PhD Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology	2019
Emma Piattelli	Visiting Scholar	2018
Tyler Rommel	Undergraduate Researcher UMassD	2018
Lindsey Ly	Undergraduate Researcher UMassD	2016
Victoria Quennessen	Undergraduate Researcher UMassD	2016
Sarah Parker	Undergraduate Researcher UMassD	2016
Colin Lazzara	Undergraduate Researcher UMassD	2016

Tasia Kellogg, Vanni Bucci, Abigail Zeamer, Shakti Bhattarai, Benedikt Mortzfeld

Suhas Maringanti, Benedikt Mortzfeld, Armani Tayeh, Shakti Bhattarai, Vanni Bucci, Tasia Kellogg

Shakti Bhattarai, Haley Dupre, Vanni Bucci, Jacob Palmer, Benedikt Mortzfeld, Pratibha Harrison