President: Varun R. Bavda, Ph.D.

Postdoc Research Affiliate - Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health 

Varun is a postdoc fellow at the Paczkowski Lab at the Department of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health. He is studying the process of bacterial communication called quorum sensing in the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Varun is originally from India and obtained his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - Bhopal, India, in 2021. During his Ph.D., he studied the molecular mechanism of host cell lysis by the bacteriophage lysis protein called Holin.

Outside of science, Varun enjoys gardening, cooking, and hiking-adventure with friends.

Vice President and Secretary: Ana Beatriz Garcez Buiatte

 Post-Doctoral Associate, Department of Biological Sciences at SUNY Albany

Ana is a postdoctoral researcher in the Andam Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at SUNY Albany. She is originally from Brazil and earned both her MSc and PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU). Her doctoral work focused on the genomic epidemiology of Campylobacter spp. in Brazil and across South America.

Her research interests include genomic epidemiology and the evolution of bacterial pathogens. She has a particular interest in understanding the mechanisms that allow bacteria to adapt to new hosts and environments, as well as to develop and maintain antimicrobial resistance.

In her free time, Ana enjoys outdoor activities.

Secretary: Ankeeta Guru

Postdoctoral Research Affiliate at the Wadsworth Centre, New York State Department of Health, Albany.

Ankeeta is currently a postdoctoral researcher in Thomas Bartlett lab in Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health. Her research focuses on understanding how bacteria grow and divide, especially studying the link between cell division and cell membrane integrity in S. aureus. She is interested in learning how these basic processes work and how this knowledge could help develop better ways to fight bacterial infections. She is from India, and received her PhD degree from the Institute of Life Science, Bhubaneswar. There, she studied the molecular mechanism of ZapE protein in E. coli cell division. 

Outside the lab, she enjoys expressing creativity through painting, cooking, and doing embroidery, blending curiosity and creativity in both science and everyday life.

Social Media/Web Master and Institute Representative: Emily Louie

Current BS/MS Dual Degree at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Emily is a 3rd-year student at ACPHS in the Microbiology BS and Molecular Biosciences MS dual degree program. She is from Brooklyn, NY, and fell in love with microbiology after competing in the Science Olympiad from Middle to High School.

Her research focuses on the bioprocess optimization of monoclonal antibody-producing Chinese hamster ovary cells through fed-batch metabolite feeding. These cells are crucial for creating biopharmaceuticals for patients and are known to be the workhorse of the biopharmaceutical industry. 

Outside the lab, Emily enjoys trying new tea, archery, and spending time with her cat.

Institute Representative: Nirmen Mohamed

4th-year Ph.D. candidate in Biological Sciences at Binghamton University

Nermin is a 4th-year Ph.D. candidate in Biological Sciences at Binghamton University. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Asyut University in Egypt, providing a strong interdisciplinary foundation that bridges pharmaceutical sciences and microbiology.

Her research focuses on characterizing biofilm dispersion in Enterococcus faecalis. Her work centers on the molecular mechanisms underlying this process, including regulatory genes,  cell wall remodeling, Antibiotic tolerance, and polysaccharide structure. In addition to her research, Nermin mentors students through programs such as FRI, REU–NSF, McNair, and BridgesT34, contributing to the development of future scientists. 

Outside the lab, Nermin enjoys baking and outdoor activities.