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. 

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. 

Evan is originally from Columbus, Ohio and is currently a junior biology student at West Virginia University. He plans to attend medical school after completing his undergraduate degree and pursue a career in clinical ophthalmology. In his free time, Evan enjoys playing volleyball, hanging out with friends, and spending time outdoors. He also loves snowboarding in the winter and playing with his tuxedo cat, Winnie.