CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
Wynn Meyer, Ph. D.
Principal Investigator
Wynn Meyer is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Lehigh University. She is an evolutionary biologist who uses variation in genomes to study how living things evolve and to draw connections between genes and traits. Her current research focuses on identifying parts of mammals' genomes that may be involved in adapting to different diets. She is also interested in using science to inform policy and improving policy to support science. Dr. Meyer received a PhD in Human Genetics from the University of Chicago. She conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Pittsburgh and served as an Executive Branch AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at NIH before joining the Lehigh faculty in fall 2020.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Marcos da Silva, PhD
Marcos da Silva is an evolutionary biologist working on convergent evolution of blind cavefish, jointly with the Kowalko lab at Lehigh University. In the Meyer lab, their tasks involve the characterization of the genomic signatures of cave evolution on a macroevolutionary scale through existing genomic data in conjunction with new long-read, genome assemblies in order to further refine candidates for functional validation. They received their PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Basel, Switzerland. In their free time, Dr. da Silva likes to attend metal concerts, party at techno clubs, work on punk activism and also focus on horror films, good wine and mountaineering.
PHD STUDENTS
Michael Tene
PhD student, Cell and Molecular Biology concentration
Michael Tene is a Biological Sciences PhD student in the cell and molecular biology concentration. In the Meyer lab, he is focused on the analysis and verification of differing evolutionary rates in mammalian diets. Outside of the lab, he has an interest in pedagogy, science communication, and in his free time he educates himself on various topics of interest through video lectures.
Harshal Wasnik
PhD student, Evolution and Behavior concentration
Harshal Wasnik is a Biological Sciences PhD student in the Evolutionary Biology and Behavior concentration. In the Meyer lab, his research revolves investigating mammalian dietary patterns and applying bioinformatics for data analysis. Outside of the lab, he shares interest in astronomy, harmonica and playing cricket.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Kendalin Flores
Undergraduate Student, Class of 2026
Kendalin Flores is a Junior studying BioComputational Engineering at Lehigh University. In the Meyer Lab, she is exploring the genetic association of mammalian dental traits. In her free time, Kendalin enjoys cuddling up with her dog, reading a good book, and getting out into the mountains!
Gwen Johnson
Undergraduate Student, Class of 2027
FORMER LAB MEMBERS
Graduate Students:
Derrick Um: I-DISC MS Data Science research collaboration fall 2024
Josh November: Rotation student spring 2023
Rachel Nenstiel: Rotation student fall 2022
Katie Foley, MS: Masters student class of 2021, JD from University of Iowa College of Law 2024
Undergraduate Students:
Tanveer Ahmed: class of 2026, lab member fall 2024
Nick DiVittorio: Moravian University class of 2025, lab member summer 2024
Lalitha Loka: University of Pittsburgh class of 2026, lab member summer 2024
Julia Adamowicz: class of 2024, lab member 2023 - 2024
Julia Aloi: class of 2024, lab member 2023 - 2024
Anya Getzfeld: class of 2024, lab member 2022 - 2024
Helberth Quisbert: St. Peter's University class of 2024, lab member summer 2023
David Han: class of 2023, lab member 2022 - 2023
Matt Rivera: class of 2023, lab member 2022 -2023
Ernesto Sanchez Lopez: class of 2025, lab member 2022 - 2023
Carly Carpino: class of 2022, lab member 2021-2022
Jace Hannah: class of 2024, lab member 2021-2022
Lexi Perez: class of 2023, lab member 2021 - 2022
Cindy Tran: class of 2024, lab member 2020 - 2022
Lia Wilmoth: class of 2023, lab member 2021 - 2022
Samantha Cardenas: class of 2023, lab member summer 2021
Simon Gajewski: class of 2024, lab member 2020-2021
Oluwafunmbi Ojo: class of 2024, lab member 2020-2021
Norman Zvenyika: class of 2024, lab member 2020 - 2021
Kevin Fuentes: class of 2022, lab member fall 2020
