Karlen Enid Correa Vélez
MS, PhD (she/her)
I am a Puerto Rican and Latina Postdoctoral Research Fellow studying host–microbe interactions using a Vibrio–oyster model to understand how Vibrio bacteria adapt to changing environments and colonize new hosts. When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy scuba diving and discovering new beers! Cheers! 😊
MS, PhD (she/her)
I am a Puerto Rican and Latina Postdoctoral Research Fellow studying host–microbe interactions using a Vibrio–oyster model to understand how Vibrio bacteria adapt to changing environments and colonize new hosts. When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy scuba diving and discovering new beers! Cheers! 😊
Kayla Simanek
MS, PhD (she/they)
Kayla is studying the regulation of rugosity and hyper-biofilm forming subpopulations in Vibrio vulnificus. They are interested in the role of bacterial cell heterogeneity during infections
and how it contributes to bacterial evolution and adaptation.
MS, PhD (she/they)
Kayla is studying the regulation of rugosity and hyper-biofilm forming subpopulations in Vibrio vulnificus. They are interested in the role of bacterial cell heterogeneity during infections
and how it contributes to bacterial evolution and adaptation.
Research Associates
Victoria Lydick (she/her)
As the lab manager, I keep things running smoothly (i.e. handling “small metaphorical fires”). My research investigates coordinated virulence activities in the bacterial pathogen,
Vibrio coralliilyticus, through live coral infections in our Coral Facility. Outside of lab, I’m singing karaoke, crafting, blasting music,and laughing with my husband.
As the lab manager, I keep things running smoothly (i.e. handling “small metaphorical fires”). My research investigates coordinated virulence activities in the bacterial pathogen,
Vibrio coralliilyticus, through live coral infections in our Coral Facility. Outside of lab, I’m singing karaoke, crafting, blasting music,and laughing with my husband.
Graduate Students
Chase Mullins (she/her)
I am a sixth-year Microbiology PhD student studying how Vibrio bacteria sense and respond to nutrient availability and bacterial population numbers. Outside of lab, I can be found running or hiking across Indiana!
I am a sixth-year Microbiology PhD student studying how Vibrio bacteria sense and respond to nutrient availability and bacterial population numbers. Outside of lab, I can be found running or hiking across Indiana!
Logan Geyman (he/him)
I’m a 5th year graduate student. My research focuses on determining the mechanism of action for quorum sensing inhibitors in the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus. Outside the lab you can find me with my cats and a book, running, or playing pickle ball with my husband.
I’m a 5th year graduate student. My research focuses on determining the mechanism of action for quorum sensing inhibitors in the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus. Outside the lab you can find me with my cats and a book, running, or playing pickle ball with my husband.
Zach Celentano, MS Biotechnology (he/him)
I work on the biochemistry of SmcR type proteins and their inhibitors in Vibrios using techniques such as X-ray crystallography, protein pulldowns, and structure-activity relationship assays. In my free time you can find me at the gym, hiking, or gardening!
I work on the biochemistry of SmcR type proteins and their inhibitors in Vibrios using techniques such as X-ray crystallography, protein pulldowns, and structure-activity relationship assays. In my free time you can find me at the gym, hiking, or gardening!
Dante Nguyen (he/him/any pronouns)
I’m a second-year PhD student in the Microbiology program, interested in flagellar regulation and synthetic relationships in the QS system. You can always find me singing and dancing (loudly) :)
I’m a second-year PhD student in the Microbiology program, interested in flagellar regulation and synthetic relationships in the QS system. You can always find me singing and dancing (loudly) :)
Marielle Jackson (she/her)
I am a second year biochemistry PhD student from Fishers, Indiana and earned a B.S. in biochemistry from Purdue University in 2024! I study the structure and function of the native ligand for SmcR, a transcription factor that regulates quorum sensing in Vibrio vulnificus. Outside of lab, you can find me trying new coffee shops!
I am a second year biochemistry PhD student from Fishers, Indiana and earned a B.S. in biochemistry from Purdue University in 2024! I study the structure and function of the native ligand for SmcR, a transcription factor that regulates quorum sensing in Vibrio vulnificus. Outside of lab, you can find me trying new coffee shops!
Undergraduates
Alyssa Fuhrman
Info about Alyssa
Info about Alyssa
Lab Alumni
Graduate Alumni
Jost Strnat (2016-2019), Ryan Chaparian (2014-2019), Alyssa Ball (2014-2021), Jane Newman (2016-2021), Emra Klempic (2020-2022), Blake Petersen (2016-2022), Zeus Elumba (Visiting Fullbright Philippines Graduate Student 2022), Finley Andrew (2021-2023), Payel Paul (20XX-2025), Tanmaya Rasal (20XX-2025)
Research Associate Alumni
Undergraduate/Post-bacc Alumni