Meet ouR lab members

principal investigator

Dr. immo a. hansen

Ph.D.: University of Wuerzburg

Post-doctoral work: University of California, Riverside, University of Konstanz

The overarching focus of my lab is on finding new ways to control vector-borne diseases. We study the molecular physiology of disease vectors to find novel ways to control them.

immoh@nmsu.edu

(575) 646-7719

laboratory manager

laboratory manager

I oversee lab operations, conduct experiments, train new employees, and provide a clean and safe environment to work in. I am also a graduate student at NMSU pursing my PhD in Biology with an emphasis on cell and organismal. My research ranges from applied repellent testing using ticks and mosquitoes to molecular research studying amino acid transport proteins in mosquitoes. I am interested in developing a wide range of skills using applied and molecular techniques, and in progressing scientific knowledge on the world’s deadliest animal to humans, the mosquito.

hailey luker

hailey13@nmsu.edu

graduate students

  • ANJALI KARKI

    anjali13@nmsu.edu

    I am a PhD student working on Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes. My research interests are in molecular biology, human health, and diseases. My research work entails formulating a blood-free diet to rear Anopheles mosquitoes, a vector of malaria, and studying sensory and molecular cues regulating oviposition-site selection in Aedes mosquitoes. I am interested in using molecular biology and mosquito behavior studies to develop novel strategies to control the spread of these deadly insects.

  • TATHAGATA DEBNATH

    tathadbn@nmsu.edu

    I am a Ph.D. student in the Computer Science Department at NMSU, specializing in Computational Biology. My research focuses on developing innovative statistical techniques for analyzing various types of biological data. Currently, I am working on a statistical method to identify alternative splicing in gene expression data. Additionally, I am interested in analyzing different omics data, including transcriptomics, proteomics/phospho-proteomics, metabolomics, and single-cell data, to uncover intriguing biological signals. Outside of my research, I enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling.

  • APRIL LOPEZ

    aprlopez@nmsu.edu

    I am a biology PhD student working on novel mosquito repellent strategies. I am interested in controlling mosquito populations due to the vastly dangerous diseases they transmit world-wide. Outside of the lab, I enjoy outdoor activities and volunteer work. I have a 1-year-old that takes up most of my time, we go on many walks and hikes around Las Cruces.

  • GABRIEL BORG

    borgabe@nmsu.edu

    I am a graduating student pursuing my master's in biology here at NMSU. My current project involves optimizing the sterile insect technique by finding ways to increase the competitiveness of irradiated mosquitoes thus improving our ability to control the population of these disease-carrying vectors. I am interested in acquiring various molecular lab techniques and have a strong passion for learning.

  • Amanda Nicole r.

    anicole8@nmsu.edu

    I recently graduated with a degree in Genetics and Biotechnology, complemented by minors in Biochemistry and Biology. I’m also self-taught in bioinformatics, fueling my research interests in molecular biology, gene splicing, alternative splicing, and data analysis. I’m excited to start my Ph.D. in cellular biology in the fall semester! When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy caring for my pet reptiles, cosplaying, competing in TCG events, and playing video games

Laboratory Technicians

  • PAULA MACIAS

    paulajmg@nmsu.edu

    I am a pre-veterinary biology student pursuing a second Bachelor of Science degree. I work with other lab technicians to care for mosquito cultures, maintain laboratory conditions, and assist graduate students with their projects.

  • LEAH Herrera

    hleah@nmsu.edu

    I am currently getting my bachelor's in environmental science and my main job is to make sure that the environment/ life cycle of our mosquitoes is running smoothly, maintaining a clean environment for our lab and to help our grad students!

FORMER LAB MEMBERS

  • DR. MATTHEW PINCH

  • NATHAN MARTINEZ

  • MARIALUISA TEIXEIRA

  • YASHODA KANDEL

  • SOUMI MITRA

  • VICTORIA CARPENTER

  • HANNAH DRUMM

  • SARAH AGUIRRE

  • MARGARITA WELLS

  • ALYSON BANEGAS

  • FLORENCE SCHODERBEK

  • DR. DAVID P. PRINCE

  • DR. LISA L. DRAKE

  • DR. ANTHONY CLEMMONS

  • LAVESH BATHIA

  • ADITI KULKARNI

  • DR. HITOSHI TSUJIMOTO

  • JUSTIN DEARING

  • ALORA GARIBAY

  • DEBORAH SOUZA

  • EMILY MOORE

  • REBECCA MELENDEZ

  • ALEX MOON

  • HAE-NA CHUNG

  • JULIA VULCAN

  • KRISTINA GONZALES

  • LAUREN MERCER

  • JOEL CORDOVA

  • XAVIER JIMENEZ

  • THEODORE MUKA

  • STACY RODRIGUEZ

  • JOHN BILIOT

  • Carolyn

  • Ilse tolentino

  • Maria Chacon

  • Harley Bendzus

  • Dela Esmaeili

  • Mahesh

  • Keyla Salas