Where we're from...


Lab Members

>Staff & Postdocs

 Xia Li
Thuy Nguyen

>Graduate Students

 Prabin Dawadi
Noah Kilonzo

>Undergraduates

 Peyton Hodges
Vedanth Buddala
Eli Null
Cas Simpson
Danh Nguyen
Rachel Ni
Hannah Wallace
Yang Di
Destiney Davis
Harveen Thind
Dow McCarty


Alumni

Friends, Collaborators, & Cool Scientists

Anthony Amend - University of Hawai'i, Manoa

Betsy Arnold* - University of Arizona

Claudio Avignone-Rossa - University of Surrey

David Baum - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Stephen Callister - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Ignazio Carbone* - North Carolina State University

Jitka Cejkova - University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic

Roger Chang - Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Lee Cronin - University of Glasgow, Scotland

Renee Cunningham - UM School of Education

Antonio Di Pietro - University of Córdoba, Spain

Amar Chittiboyina - UM National Center for Natural Products Research

Pierre-Marc Delaux - Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France

Rob Dunn - North Carolina State University

Matthew Egbert - University of Auckland, New Zealand

Emilio Fernández - University of Córdoba, Spain

Aurora Galván - University of Córdoba, Spain

József Geml* - Eszterházy Károly University, Eger, Hungary

Jennifer Gifford - University of Mississippi (Geology)

Amy Gladfelter - Duke University

Ursula Goodenough - Washington University of St. Louis

Anna Gorbushina - Freie Universität Berlin & BAM, Germany

Valerie Harmon - Harmon Consulting

Quincey Justman - The Broad Institute

Yarden Katz - University of Michigan

Sergey Kryazhimskiy - University of California San Diego

Liedewij Laan - Kavli Institute of Nanoscience

Soni Lacefield - Indiana University Bloomington

Jun-Yi Leu - Institute of Molecular Biology, Taiwan

Alex Lewin - Feed Me Like You Mean It

Louise Lewis* - University of Connecticut

Sam Lisi - University of Mississippi (Math)

Mike Lomas - Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Maine

François Lutzoni* - Duke University

Franck Marchis - SETI Institute

Catherine Masson-Boivin - INRA, Auzeville, France

Jake McKinlay - Indiana University

Seppe Kuehn - University of Chicago

Maria Mittag - Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany

Cam Muir - Big Island Tea and University of Hawai'i Hilo

Craig Nelson - University of Hawai'i Manoa

Irene Newton - Indiana University Bloomington

Nicole Pietrasiak^ - New Mexico State University

Alex Penn - University of Surrey

Georg Pohnert - Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany

Nirmal Pugh - UM National Center for Natural Products Research

Severin Sasso - Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany

Alison Sherwood - University of Hawai'i, Manoa

Eric Smith - Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo, Japan

Jason Stajich^ - University of California Riverside

Cole Stevens - UM Department of BioMolecular Sciences

San Trull - The Sloth Institute of Costa Rica

Ben Wolfe - Tufts University

Nicole van Dam - iDiv, Leigzig & Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany

Cristina Varese - Università degli Studi Di Torino & Mycotheca

Sarah Walker - Arizona State University

John Yin - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Peter Zee - University of Mississippi (Biology)


* part of a collaborative NSF GoLife project
^ part of a collaborative FICUS JGI/EMSL project

Lab Members


Head Coach
Erik Hom (New York, NY)
Nicknames: "Erik", "Dr. Evil," "Señor Chang"
Principal Investigator
Email:

CV

Trained as a biophysicist with a bent towards physical chemistry, my current research focuses primarily on understanding how microbes adapt to live together symbiotically, particularly at the level of genes and metabolism. My research interests over the years have been (and remain) eclectic, but there is actually some rhyme and reason to them (see the research tab). More about Erik here.


Staff & Postdocs
Xia Li (Tangshan, China)
Nicknames: "Haha!," "fox," "bling-bling"
Ph.D. Biology, University of Mississippi [2023]
M.S. Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), Qingdao, China
B.S. Biology, Handan College, Handan, China
Email:

I am working to characterize the "core" microbiome communities of water and milk kefir, both fermented beverages. They are yummy and I like to hug them and keep my cultures warm. I also like to sing and watch movies, and when I grow up, I want to be a researcher. Previously, I worked on kelp, which is also very yummy!
Keywords: yummy!, kefir, food science, bacteria, fungi, metagenomics, fermented beverages, probiotics, prebiotics
Thuy Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
Nicknames: "Queen-dow," "Tweetie"
Ph.D. Biology, University of Mississippi [2023]
M.S. Biology, University of Mississippi
B.S. Biotechnology, Cantho University, Vietnam
Email:

I've been involved in a collaborative effort between the Hom lab, the National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota (NCMA) at the Bigelow Laboratory in Maine (Dr. Michael Lomas) and the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi (Dr. Amar Chittoboyina), to explore and better understand the bioactivity and regulation of secondary metabolite production from marine algae. I was supported by a Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) Fellowship and my particular project is to better understand the regulation of secondary metabolism in marine algae. I am also interested in novel compounds that can be derived from marine algal cultures and have therapeutic value. Now, I am working on biological soil crust communities in collaboration with the fun labs of Jason Stajich (UC-Riverside) and Nicole Pietrasiak (New Mexico State). Outside of the lab, I like to enjoy and make delicious food with friends and family, sing karaoke, do online shopping, and watch lots of Asian soap operas on my laptop -- all activities consistent with me being the youngest child in my family.
Keywords: marine algae, secondary metabolite production, VEF, Bigelow Lab, secondary metabolites, food, karaoke, shopping


Graduate Students
Prabin Dawadi (Gorkha, Nepal)
Nicknames: "Gorkhali", "PD"
Ph.D. student
M.Sc. Medical Microbiology, Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
B.Sc. Microbiology, Pinnacle College, Tribhuvan University, Lalitpur, Nepal
Email:

I am a Ph.D. student in the Hom Lab interested in understanding microbial interactions in the evolution of microbial communities and am working on understanding the evolution of Dr. Hom's model yeast-Chlamy mutualistic system, and other natural communities of reduced complexity. After training in my Ph.D., I wish to lead product-oriented research. Outside of the lab, I love playing ping-pong and basketball! Also, I'm a good listener :) because I enjoy hearing about other people's life experiences.
Keywords: co-evolution, algae, fungi, metagenomics, bioinformatics, product-oriented research, table tennis, basketball, listening
Noah Kilonzo (Nairobi, Kenya)
Nicknames: "Nuhu"
Ph.D. student
B.S. Biology, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
Email:

I am joining the Hom lab as a Ph.D. student in January 2024 to investigate algal-bacterial-plant mutualisms. My research will focus on how these interactions play out during seed germination and establishment. I’m passionate about science and service and I’m curious as to where this will take me! I also enjoy meeting new people, singing and reading books (was a librarian in high school!.
Keywords: Seed-endomicrobiome, plant-microbe interactions, bioinformatics, coevolution, education, operatic singing


Undergraduates
(John) Peyton Hodges (Madison, MS)
Nickname: "Peyton," "The Quiet Guy"
Class of 2024, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology)
Email:

My name is Peyton and I help Xia with the milk and water kefir research project. After undergrad, I plan on attending dental school and owning my own practice one day. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hunting, hanging out with friends, playing golf (I am really bad), and watching Ole Miss play.
Keywords: kefir, pre-dental (I like teeth), hunting, bad golf, Hotty Toddy!
(Divyasai) Vedanth Buddala (Madison, MS)
Nickname: "Vedanth," "Buddy"
Class of 2024, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology; minors: Business, Chemistry)
Email:

Hey! My name is Vedanth Buddala and I am mainly going to be working with sloths! Yay! Sloths might seem boring but they have a LOT of biodiversity that can be analyzed and I cannot wait to do hands-on research. I am currently pre-med and plan to attend medical school, so this lab is a great opportunity to learn a lot about Microbiology. I am also a mentor for the Biology department and am really involved with Greek life along with Supplemental Instruction. In my free time when I don’t have to worry about being a pre-med (Never), I like to workout and play video games with friends.
Keywords: sloths, Greek life, pre-med, video game, gym rat


(Thomas) Eli Null (Corinth, MS)
Nickname: "Eli," "Null value," "the Gentle Giant"
Class of 2025, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology; minors: Math, Chemistry, and Spanish)
Email:

What’s up? I’m Eli Null, undergraduate researcher and the self-titled “tour guide” of the Hom Lab. My research here centers around the experimental evolution of synthetic fungal-algal mutualisms. In short, I set up “blind dates” between fungi and algae. My “mad scientist” work, I hope, will contribute to the field of evolutionary biology and advance sustainable efforts in largescale algaculture systems. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing video games, tailgating with friends and family, and learning about life and all the things it provides.
Keywords: coevolution, franken-lichens, algaculture, video games, tailgating
(Catherine) Cas Simpson (Madison, MS)
Nickname: "Cas," "Kaukab"
Class of 2025, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology and Arabic; minor: Chemistry)
Email:

Hi, my name is Cas Simpson! I’m incredibly excited to be a part of the lab and the Kefir project, and am looking forward to all that I can learn! Currently, I’m a pre-med student and also a member of the university’s Arabic Flagship program. I love biology, especially genetics, and in the future I hope to eventually work in the field. When I’m not busy hatching nefarious schemes for world domination, I like to read, paint, bake cheesecake, and take long walks on the many beaches Oxford Mississippi has to offer.
Keywords: kefir, biology, pre-med, genetics, cheesecake.
Danh Nguyen (Hattiesburg, MS)
Nickname: "Danh" (pronounced "Yah-nh" or "Zahn"), "crazy man," "You're Funny!", “xX_KefirLover3000_Xx”
Class of 2026, University of Mississippi (B.A. Psychology, minors: Biology, Chemistry, Sociology)
Email:

My name is Danh Nguyen, and I am excited to be a part of the Hom lab. I am currently on the kefir team; I joined the lab due to my interest in symbiotic relationships and microbiomes (very general, I know) and to gain lab experience. On campus, I am a part of the Sally McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College, the Luckyday Foundation, and Active Minds. I also work as a teaching assistant for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry! On the weekends, I often take trips outside the city to explore the various Trader Joes, zoos, and science museums that Oxford lacks :) In my limited free time, I campaign for the installation of a Target in Oxford.
Keywords: psychology, kefir, gut health, pre-med, zoos/aquariums, drinking milk everyday, flamingos (yes, really)
Rachel Ni (Carthage, MS)
Nickname: "Rachel," "Nutella," "Crazy girl"
Class of 2027, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biochemistry)
Email:

I still need to write all about meeee!! Come back soon for details :)
Keywords: organizing all things Hom, etc.
Hannah Wallace (Gautier, MS)
Nickname: "Hannah," "Bobannah"
Class of 2027, University of Mississippi (B.A. Forensic Chemistry)
Email:

I still need to write all about meeee!! Come back soon for details :)
Keywords: organizing all things Hom, etc.
Yang Di (Gautier, MS)
Nickname: "Yang," "DiDi"
Class of 2025, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology)
Email:

I still need to write all about meeee!! Come back soon for details :)
Keywords: cryotolerance, evolution, etc.
Destiney Davis (Yazoo City, MS)
Nickname: "Destiney"
Class of 2025, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology)
Email:

I still need to write all about meeee!! Come back soon for details :)
Keywords: synthetic communities, etc.
Harveen Thind (Clinton, MS)
Nickname: "Harveen," "Mouse"
Class of 2027, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology)
Email:

I still need to write all about meeee!! Come back soon for details :)
Keywords: TBD, etc.
(Richmond) Dow McCarty (Tupelo, MS)
Nickname: "Dow," "The New Kid on the Block," "Mr. Smiley"
Class of 2024, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology)
Email:

I still need to write all about meeee!! Come back soon for details :)
Keywords: kefir, etc.




Alumni