President: Stephanie Souza

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Biological Sciences Department, UAlbany 

Stephanie is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Cheryl Andam at the University at Albany, SUNY. Her research is focused on the evolution and epidemiology of different bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Salmonella enterica) using NGS and bioinformatics tools. Born and raised in Brazil, she obtained her PhD from the Rio de Janeiro State University in 2020, studying the population structure of Enterococcus faecium over a period of 15 years in hospitals of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Outside the lab Stephanie enjoys cooking pasta recipes, planning her next trip, and watching criminal TV series or dodgy reality shows.

Vice-President: Manuela Montoya Giraldo

PhD Student - MCDN Biology Program at UAlbany

Manuela is a second-year grad student in the Andam Lab at UAlbany. She is studying the evolution and ecology of Streptomyces bacteria from healthy bats using molecular evolution and bioinformatics tools. Manuela got her undergraduate degree in microbiology in Colombia, where she is originally from. Later, Manuela worked in a marine microbiology laboratory for 4 years, where she studied the natural products from environmental deep-sea microorganisms.

Besides microbes, Manuela's three favorite things to do are snorkeling/free-diving (especially around beautiful coral reefs), skating, and dancing.

Secretary: Amalia Nunes

Undergraduate Researcher/Student - Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Amalia is currently an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Singh's lab at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she is investigating RNA Pol III driven mechanisms that regulate HIV latency. Amalia is also a member of ACPHS's Cross Country and Track teams and the Education Director of ACPHS's Beta Chapter of Rho Pi Phi International Pharmaceutical Fraternity.

 Outside of school, she has been running competitively for around 10 years and hopes to continue to compete after graduating.

Secretary: Colin Moran Henneberry

Postbaccalaureate researcher - Biological Sciences Department, UAlbany 

Colin is a postbaccalaureate researcher in the Valm Lab at UAlbany, where he studies the spatial structure of the human oral microbiome using multispectral fluorescence microscopy. Colin is a member of the UAlbany Biology Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee as well as a 2023 GSMI Scholar. A self-avowed microbe fanboy with a BSc in Biology and Mathematics from the University at Albany, Colin is currently applying to microbial ecology PhD programs.

Outside of microbiology, Colin is a fan of macro-biology: birdwatching and spending time with his four indoor cats (Minou, Brina, Katze and Cheese).

Treasurer: Antonia Oropallo

Undergraduate student - Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 

Antonia is a third year student in the microbiology program. Although not currently partaking in any active research, she was part of the first SEA-PHAGES program at ACPHS. There she was part of a team that discovered and genetically sequenced a bacteriophage. Antonia's dream is to go to medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon, eventually working for a professional sports team.

Some of her favorite things to do are to read, travel, and binge watch TV shows.