About

Maryam is originally from Iran. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Master of Science in Animal Biology from the University of Tehran, Iran. As a result of the Master's program in biological science, she has discovered and introduced five new species, in addition to one new genus of Crustacea. It was after her master's curriculum, when she developed a keen interest in biochemistry and molecular medicine, which enabled her to be awarded a PhD scholar position in Jian Xu's lab with UCAS full scholarship at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research in Jian Xu's lab was focused on the development of novel Raman microspectroscopic platform to assess the cellular metabolic dynamics in drug-cell interactions. She earned her PhD in 2021 and then joined the laboratory of Dr. Michael Robichaux in 2022. Joining Dr. Robichaux's lab promoted the love of biomedical research for her. Her current research has been focused on utilizing the power of super-resolution and other advanced imaging techniques to begin rigorous tests on the unknown stages of rhodopsin trafficking in rod photoreceptors, and to thereafter characterize rod cell localization and morphological defects associated with retinitis pigmentosa and other blinding retinal dystrophies. 

Maryam and her husband (Hadi) have a daughter (Diana). When she is not in the research lab she can be found with her daughter, playing at the playground, or at home. In her free time, Maryam enjoys attending music concerts, exploring nature, traveling, flower gardening, and painting. 

Kristen is originally from Shinnston, West Virginia. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, in spring 2018, and her Master of Science in Biology, in spring 2020, from West Liberty University, located in Wheeling, West Virginia. During her time at West Liberty University she worked in the research laboratory of Dr. Joseph Horzempa studying the Category A Bioterrorism agent Francisella tularensis. She successfully defended her thesis titled 'The Development of Molecular Tools and Optimization of in vitro Methods to Investigate Erythrocyte Invasion by Francisella tularensis' in May of 2020. Following the completion of her Master degree she began working as a medical lab technician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). She joined Dr. Michael Robichaux's lab as the biological technician in April 2021. She then decided to further her education and joined Dr. Robichaux's lab as a PhD student in Fall 2023.

When she is not in the research lab she can be found playing with her orange tabby kittens, Goose and Maverick, reading fantasy novels, or pursuing various other hobbies. She is also a fan of Star Wars and Marvel and going to concerts.

Shannon is originally from Point Pleasant, West Virginia and graduated in 2021 from the University of Charleston, WV with a dual degree in biology and chemistry. Her undergraduate research dealt with the fluorescence spectroscopy of uranyl nitrate with aromatic amines, facilitated by Dr. Xiaoping Sun.

She is currently a graduate student in the biochemistry program and joined the Robichaux lab in the Fall 2021. Upon graduating - she wants to pursue research in industry.

In her free time, Shannon enjoys traveling, reading, listening to music and sharing Spotify playlists. She is also a proud dog mom to Rudy, a Norwegian Elkhound mix. 

Samantha is originally from Dallas, Georgia. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology (Microbiology Track) from Kennesaw State University in Summer 2018. She entered the Master of Science in Integrative Biology program at Kennesaw State University that fall. Her research during her undergraduate career and master’s program was focused on bacteriophage virology. She successfully defended her master’s thesis titled “Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophages Infecting Enterobacter cloacae to Reduce Bloater Defect in Cucumber Fermentations” in July 2020. She moved to Morgantown in August 2020 to begin her PhD at West Virginia University. While pursuing her master’s, she became the founder and president of the MSIB Club at Kennesaw State University, which also became part of the STEM Coalition at KSU. She is actively involved in multiple student organizations at WVU. She joined the Robichaux lab in January 2022. 

Samantha has a dog named Marcus and two cats named Akasha and Blair. When she has free time, she enjoys hiking with Marcus, reading, and horror movies.

Sophie is originally from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and is a Biochemistry major at West Virginia University. She is participating in research in the Robichaux lab as part of the Research Apprenticeship Program. She is expected to graduate in May of 2024. After completion of her undergraduate degree, she hopes to go to medical school to become a Pathologist. In her free time, Sophie enjoys hanging out with her friends and watching sports, mainly the Washington Nationals. She also enjoys watch Marvel movies and DC TV shows. She does not have any pets with her in Morgantown, but takes care of multiple house plants. 

Lauren is from Williamstown, West Virginia and is majoring in Biology and minoring in Violin Performance and Psychology at West Virginia University. She expects to graduate in May of 2024 and hopes to eventually attend medical school. Lauren is participating in research in the Robichaux Lab through the Research Apprenticeship Program. When she has spare time, Lauren enjoys playing and listening to a variety of music, with her favorite band being the Beatles. She also loves going to WVU sporting events to cheer on the Mountaineers and reading mystery novels. 

Hamza is a sophomore here at West Virginia University and majors in Biochemistry. He was born in Maryland and has always held a love for all things science. He plans to go to medical school after graduation and pursue a career in medicine. During his free time he enjoys being active and spending time with friends.