Principal Investigator

Boris started the lab in 2004. The current focus of his research is on plant-associated and atmospheric microbes and microbiomes using genetic, genomic, and metagenomic approaches. In the past, Boris also researched plant genetics and molecular plant-microbe interactions. His goal is to translate basic science into applied projects to improve plant and environmental health. 

Lab Manager

Haijie has been working in Dr. Vinatzer's lab as the lab manager since 2007.  She has worked on several research projects involving plant genetics, molecular plant-microbe interactions, bioinformatics, and ice nucleation associated with environmental microbes.  Her recent research is about the isolation of the new macromolecules carrying ice nucleation activity.  She is also in charge of general lab operations including equipment maintenance, supply ordering, safety, training of new lab members, and keeping lab stock records.

Parul joined the lab in Fall 2018 as a Phd student. Her research focuses on using bioinformatic tools and techniques for improving plant pathogen identification and characterictization utilizing metagenomic and genomic data samples. Her interests include bioinformatics, computational biology and genomics. 

For more information about her past experiencies and projects, visit her Personal Website.

Marcela joined the lab in Summer 2019 as a PhD student. 

Marcela's research interests are: bioinformatics, multi-omics, machine learning, cancer, and plant pathogen detection.

See Marcela's website to learn more about herself.

Mariah joined the lab of Spring 2020 as a PhD student. Her research focuses on the evolution and adaptation of biological ice nucleation. Her interests include microbiology, evolution, and plant-microbe interactions.

Kassaye joined the lab in the Fall of 2021, pursuing a PhD through the GBCB program.

Kassaye's research focus on the genomic taxonomy of fungi, with a special emphasis on the Fusarium genus and its relatives.