Where we're from...
Lab Members
>Staff & Postdocs
Qijie GuanAndrew Ahearne (forthcoming)
>Graduate Students
Prabin DawadiNoah Kilonzo
>Undergraduates
Eli NullCas Simpson
Danh Nguyen
Yang Di
Destiney Davis
Dow McCarty
Daniel Shell
Emerson Morris
Christian Thomas
Clark Smith
Evan Ellzey
Matthew Parks
Nicole Hinkley-Kellum
Kate Digges
Alumni
Friends, Collaborators, & Cool Scientists
Anthony Amend - University of Hawai'i, ManoaBetsy 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
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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
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Nicknames: "Soo"
Postdoc, National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University China, China [2022] Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, China [2020]
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, China
Email:
Hey! I'm Qijie (pronounced Chi-Jay), a bioinformatician specializing in multi-omics research with expertise in both dry and wet lab techniques. I thrive on the challenges of troubleshooting and coding, finding great satisfaction in solving complex problems and continually growing in the process—one of the best parts of academia! Beyond the lab, I'm a passionate soccer fan (Messi is my favorite), though on the field, I play as a goalkeeper. Keywords: bioinformatics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, soccer
Graduate Students
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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
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Nicknames: "Nuhu"
Ph.D. student
B.S. Biology, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
Email:
I joined 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
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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
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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.
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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)
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Nickname: "YangYang," "DiDi"
Class of 2025, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology)
Email:
Hello! My name is Yang Di, and I am mainly researching on the biology of cryotolerance. It is a great pleasure to be a part of the Hom’s Lab that I get to practice hands-on experiment skills, especially with transferring liquids using micropipettes. I really like working in a lab! Outside the lab, I like to watch reality shows in different languages and learn how to speak different languages; I also like to listen to music and choreograph dances.
Keywords: cryotolerance, evolution, pre-med, studying, Chlamydomonas
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Nickname: "Des," "Destiney"
Class of 2025, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology)
Email:
I’m a proud transfer student from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. I love animals so much that my long-term goal is to become a veterinarian specializing in feline medicine. I have a particular affection for cats, and I have two of my own—Beans and Bosco. In addition to my passion for animals, I also enjoy conducting research in the lab. My current projects involve a coevolution experiment and a culture-based study of microbial communities. When I’m not in the lab, I like to visit friends or work at the animal hospital. I also volunteer at various shelters and veterinary clinics.
Keywords: co-evolution, synthetic communities, algae, cats, animal love
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Nickname: "Dow," "The New Kid on the Block," "Mr. Smiley"
Class of 2025, University of Mississippi (B.A. Finance, minor: Chemistry)
Email:
Hey! My name is Dow, and I am very excited to be working with the Hom lab. I will be doing research with the kefir team, creating different types of delicious kefir, experimenting on different ways to grow grains, etc. Currently, on campus, I am president of the pickleball club as well as the UM Smile Makers club, philanthropy chair for both the UM Toothfairy club and Alpha Tau Omega Delta Psi Chapter (whew! I'm busy...). In my free time I enjoy water sports, playing pickleball, trying new foods at Hom lab potlucks, and recently snowboarding! In the future, I plan to attend a respectable dental school and pay for tuition through the HPSP Air Force scholarship!
Keywords: kefir, dentistry, pickleball, show-me-the-money.
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Nickname: "Dan," "The-Man"
Class of 2026, University of Mississippi (B.A. Business)
Email:
My passion for medicine has driven me to pursue a career as a doctor, and I'm currently working towards that by diving into various areas of research, particularly participatory systems mapping. This area of study fascinates me because it allows me to explore complex systems and how different elements interact, which I believe will be incredibly valuable in understanding the intricacies of healthcare. When I'm not focused on my studies or research, you'll most likely find me outdoors. I have a deep appreciation for nature and love spending my free time hiking, camping, or simply exploring the natural world around me. These outdoor activities not only keep me active but also provide me with a sense of peace and balance, which is essential as I navigate the challenging path to medical school.
Keywords: participatory systems mapping, systems thinking, pre-med, outdoors, nature, hiking, camping, peace
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Nickname: "Emmie," "Padwan"
Class of 2027, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology and Public Policy Leadership; minor: Southern Studies)
Email:
Hi y’all! My name is Emerson Morris, and I am proud to be a part of the Hom Lab. I am particularly passionate about the overlap of STEM and politics, particularly in the realms of conservation, the farming world, and sustainable agriculture in the American South. Outside of the lab, I find great joy in tea making and tasting high quality brews. In my incredibly limited and highly sought-after spare time, I enjoy hiking, listening to bad 90’s rock music, reading, and being active in the UM campus community. I am excited to ask a million questions and learn as much as possible!
Keywords: marine algae, tea farming, Hawai’i, science policy, conservation, agriculture
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Nickname: "Chris," "Possum," "Riskey Slide," "Mouse"
Class of 2025, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology, minor: Psychology)
Email:
Hello! I am very excited to be a part of the Hom lab even though I am really low-key and Dr. Hom thinks I'm too soft-spoken. My research mainly centers on Spirulina and its affinity for alkaline environments and how this can be applied to other areas of agriculture. After undergrad, I plan to do more research and eventually pursue a masters in virology. Some general interests of mine include: learning how things work, biology, reading and playing music, and video games.
Keywords: adaptation, coevolution, spirulina, algae, music, video games, soft-spoken
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Nickname: "Superman," "Guy-from-up-north", "Here-fishey-fishey"
Class of 2025, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology)
Email:
I hope to be accepted to dental school in the coming year, and from there I would love to go on to be a pediatric dentist. I am currently involved with the kefir research project, developing grains and working to both create new recipes as well as studying the health benefits that it could bring. I love football, fishing, and food!
Keywords: kefir, dentistry, fish, football, gourmand
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Nickname: "Evan," "Dude," "The-shy-guy"
Class of 2024, University of Mississippi (B.A. Biology; B.B.A. Marketing)
Email:
Hi! I'm Evan and I'm happy to have the opportunity to help with the kefir research team as well as being part of the lab in general. I am very interested in Kefir and fermented food and how they play a role in human health. I am thinking about getting a Master’s degree after college, let's see where that goes... I hope to learn a lot and make new discoveries with my research in the lab!
Keywords: kefir, fermented foods, research, sales pitches
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Nickname: "Matt," "The-Texan"
Class of 2026, University of Mississippi (B.A. General Business, minors: Biology, Chemistry)
Email:
After Ole Miss I am planning on attending medical school and becoming a doctor (no idea what kind yet). I am working on the marine polyculture and sloth algae projects. I am hoping to find ways to create better treatments for patients from a research perspective instead of a clinical one. I am also excited to begin working on my Honors thesis. I love watching any sport, playing pickleball at every hour of the day, and hanging out with my friends.
Keywords: marine algae, sloths, pre-med, pickleball, spectator
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Nickname: "Nicci," "The Chef"
Class of 2028, University of Mississippi (B.S. Biology (Organismal))
Email:
Hey there, I’m Nicole. I’m thrilled to be on board with the Lab this year, working with the team studying kefir and gut health. I’m a returning student, making a shift back into Biology from the culinary world by getting “back on my B.S.”, if you will, with an emphasis in Organismal Biology. I joined the kefir lab as part of my pursuit to finish my degree, doing what I really love: assisting with tedious, endless, scientifically-based exploration. I’m here to shift my real-world experience into supporting the goals of the lab, and gain all the experience it has to offer in return. I’m into chaos gardening, thrifting, making and eating food, deep cuts of old music, and making surreal collage art.
Keywords: kefir, biology, organismal biology, plants, fungi, food, gardening, thrifting, old music, art
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Nickname: "Katie," "KitKat"
Class of 2027, University of Mississippi (B.A. Psychology, minors: Chemistry, Neuroscience)
Email:
My name is Kate Digges and I am so excited to be in the Hom Lab. I will be working in the kefir team and I am looking forward to learning in the lab. After undergrad, I hope to one day attend medical school. On campus, I am a part of the Sally McDonnell Honors College and Psychology Club. In my free time, I enjoy running and swimming and competing in marathons and triathlons.
Keywords: kefir, running, pre-med, psychology, gut health, triathlons