CHAPPELL LAB TEAM MEMBERS
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JAMES CHAPPELL
Assistant Professor | Biosciences | Rice University James received his PhD from Imperial College London and performed post-doctoral research at Cornell and Northwestern University.
Office: 332 Keck Hall Email: [email protected] |
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LAB MANAGER
DAISHA LEBEAU In the lab: My research is focused on finding the best ways to help the lab run efficiently & effectively! Outside of lab: I’m either painting, DIYing something in my apartment, or watching shows about space! My favorite science fact: If we replaced our sun with a black hole of the same mass, all of the planets would continue to revolve around it at the same speed and distance as they do now. Email: [email protected] |
GRADUATE STUDENTS
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MALYN SELINIDIS
Biochemistry and Cell Biology 
In the lab: I work in both the Chappell and Silberg lab on developing true off states for bacterial signaling in soils.
Outside the lab: I'm often found hanging out with my dog, drawing, cooking, biking, or playing dungeons and dragons with friends My favorite science fact: The state shell of Texas, the lightning whelk, is one of the few sinestral (left-handed) shells which means it spirals in a different direction than most other gastropods. What funky genes they have! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @MalynSelinidis |
HANNAH LIM
Bioengineering 
In the lab: I work in both the Chappell and Segatori Lab. I’m working on a project to implement and optimize various RNA sensors in mammalian cells to respond to inflammation signals and produce proteins of interest.
Outside of lab: I like to explore the city and hang out outdoors (picnic, camping,etc)! I also enjoy playing tennis and watching movies. My favorite science fact: The human body has more bacterial cells than human cells Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-lim-0616/ |
DARREN SEET
Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Bio. 
In the lab: I'm working on developing broad-range catalytic RNA tools for reprogramming target microbes within their natural communities.
Outside of lab: You can often find me trying food or cooking/baking something new. I'm also really into music and play the drums and bass. Favorite science fact: Chocolate is a crystal! There are (at least) 6 different crystal forms, but we normally only like eating 1 of them. Email: [email protected] |
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ANIKA GUPTA
Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Bio. 
In the lab: : I’m working on using catalytic RNA to develop biosensors that can detect environmentally relevant contaminants.
Outside of lab: I love to cook and explore nature! My favorite natural wonders are trees and glaciers. My favorite science fact: We know more about space than we do about the ocean. Email: [email protected] |
LAVANYA KARINJE
Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Bio. 
In the lab: I work in both the Chappell and Stadler lab, and my current focus is on improving the RAM technology.
Outside of lab: I absolutely love cooking and watching sports (from F1 to cricket). I also make sure to catch up on my latest read, and spend time with my friends! My favorite science fact: Prince Rupert’s drop. Email: [email protected] |
ELLA RAMAMURTHY
Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Bio. 
In the lab: I am working on creating ligand-activated splicing ribozymes to engineer probiotics to maintain homeostasis in the gut microbiome.
Outside of lab: You can often find me reading and crafting around the Houston parks or biking around the bayous to explore new bakeries! My favorite science fact: The world’s oldest cat lived to 38 years and was named Crème Puff. Email: [email protected] |
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ROBIN MO
Biochemistry and Cell Biology 
In the lab: Science 💪
Outside of lab: No Science ⛳️ My favorite science fact: 1,2,3,4,5,6 ....... 56,57,58,59, and 60. A blood cell just a made a complete tour of your body. Email: [email protected] |
ELISE ZIMMERMAN
Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Bio. 
In the lab: I work on a new class of programmable, synthetic RNA-based therapeutics to address global health infectious disease challenges
Outside of lab: I love to try new restaurants and spend time with friends. We love to go dancing! My favorite science fact: Humans can acquire genes from bacteria Email: [email protected] Linkedin: /elise-zimmerman-74503a217 |
AARON STIBELMAN
Biochemistry and Cell Biology 
In the lab: I work in both the Chappell and Shamoo lab to discover emergent phenotypes that arise from engineered microbial communities.
Outside the lab: There’s an outside the lab? My favorite science fact: The amount of bacterial cells that create our microbiome is about the same as the amount of our human cells, making us only about 50% human. Email: [email protected] |
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AUGUST O. STAUBUS
Biochemistry and Cell Biology 
In the lab: I am working on developing novel gene regulators based on catalytic RNA using high-throughput screening approaches.
Outside of lab: Catch me biking down the bayous, playing volleyball, or cooking (one giant meal per week) My favorite science fact: Ice is a rock → water is lava → humans are lava monster. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: /august-staubus-4ab30398 |
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UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
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ANDY CORLISS
Bioengineering 
In the lab:I am currently working with Malyn to gain experience in a research environment, as well ascontribute to research on horizontal gene transfer in soil bacteria.
Outside the lab:I play trumpet in the MOB (Marching Owl Band) and the jazz band. I also represent HanszenCollege in various intramural sports. Favorite Science Fact:The fact that legless lizards exist. How is that a real thing?! |
NAFISA AZIZI
Cell Biology & Genetics; Sociology 
In the lab: I work with Rodolfo to find the antibiotic potential of Streptomyces isolates in the microbiome of gall-forming wasps.
Outside of the lab: I often explore different local attractions and museums wherever I am! I love going on long walks on cool days and making simple desserts in my free time :) My favorite science fact: Working with bases often over a long period of time can lead one to lose their fingerprints Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: nafisa-azizi-282417212/ |
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ALUMNI
PhD/PostDocs students:
Lauren Gambill (2018-2022), Strand therapeutics, /lauren-gambill-synthetic-biologist
Andrea Ameruoso (2017-2022), NuProbe, /Andrea-Ameruoso
Maria Claudia Villegas Kcam (2017-2024), KU Leuven
Andrea Garza (2019-2024), Oak Ridge National Lab
Baiyang Liu (2017-2024), Columbia University, Wang Lab
UG researchers:
Rodolfo Gutierrez-Garcia, UG research, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Rishi Shridharan, UG research, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Annette J. Tsong, UG research, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Katherine P. Cohen, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 2021
Pavithr Goli, Summer research high-school student for BIOC 110, 2019
Stephanie Ponce, Undergraduate of the NSF funded Bionetworks Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at Rice and BIOC 310 (Independent research) student, 2018-2019
Anshul Bhatnagar, Rice Undergraduate and Century scholars program, 2017
Lauren Gambill (2018-2022), Strand therapeutics, /lauren-gambill-synthetic-biologist
Andrea Ameruoso (2017-2022), NuProbe, /Andrea-Ameruoso
Maria Claudia Villegas Kcam (2017-2024), KU Leuven
Andrea Garza (2019-2024), Oak Ridge National Lab
Baiyang Liu (2017-2024), Columbia University, Wang Lab
UG researchers:
Rodolfo Gutierrez-Garcia, UG research, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Rishi Shridharan, UG research, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Annette J. Tsong, UG research, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Katherine P. Cohen, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 2021
Pavithr Goli, Summer research high-school student for BIOC 110, 2019
Stephanie Ponce, Undergraduate of the NSF funded Bionetworks Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at Rice and BIOC 310 (Independent research) student, 2018-2019
Anshul Bhatnagar, Rice Undergraduate and Century scholars program, 2017