CHAPPELL LAB
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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.
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​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.
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Email: [email protected]

GRADUATE STUDENTS

MALYN SELINIDIS
Biochemistry and Cell Biology
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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
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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.
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​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]
ANIKA GUPTA
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Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Bio.
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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
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Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Bio.
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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.
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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​
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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.
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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​
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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]

AUGUST O. STAUBUS
Biochemistry and Cell Biology​
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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

ANDY CORLISS
Bioengineering
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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.
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Favorite Science Fact:The fact that legless lizards exist. How is that a real thing?!
NAFISA AZIZI
Cell Biology & Genetics; Sociology​
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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
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Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: nafisa-azizi-282417212/


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
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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
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Anshul Bhatnagar, Rice Undergraduate and Century scholars program, 2017

CONTACT US


MAIL:
Chappell Lab
George R. Brown Hall W200i
6100 Main St.
Houston TX 77005-1892
PHONE:
+1 (713) 348-3781
EMAIL:
Dr. James Chappell
​[email protected]
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