Daniel Al Fatayri, Johansen Lab
Office: D-W341
Email: dalfatayri27@jcu.edu
I earned my undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Debrecen, Hungary, with a focus on general biological sciences. My research included investigating the effects of lithium on yeast and HeLa cancer cells in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, as well as studying the ecotoxicological impact of environmental antibiotics on hydra in the Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology. In addition, I participated in the Talent UD program, which provided opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research and further develop my scientific skills.
Now, I contribute to research focused on the systematics and taxonomy of cyanobacteria, particularly those inhabiting biological soil crusts. My role involves extensive molecular biology techniques, including DNA extraction, PCR, cloning, and sequencing, to characterize and analyze cyanobacterial diversity across various habitats. My responsibilities also encompass supporting funded research projects investigating the molecular systematics and biodiversity of soil cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae from the Channel Islands in California.
Quinn Harley, Vanderzalm Lab
Office: D-W341
Email: gharley28@jcu.edu
I recently moved from Cincinnati back to Cleveland where I was working at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center doing research on the genetics that cause cleft palates, specifically the Osr2 and Sema3 genes using mouse models for the past three years.
I am interested in Genetics and Molecular Biology and will be studying a gene pathway in fruit fly models.
Nathnael Admassu,Johansen Lab
Office:D-W342
Email: nadmassu27@jcu.edu
I have been living in Ethiopia for most part of my life and I graduated from Addis Ababa University on bachelors of science in Biology. My final paper for undergraduate studies was on “Antimicrobial effects of garlic”. I have also worked on two research projects in Addis Ababa University in aquaculture discipline. I have been in John Carrol University for one year now and I have been working on Johansen laboratory on Systematics of Cyanobacteria.
Hope George, Saporito Lab
Office: D-W249
Email: hgeorge28@jcu.edu
I grew up in the Mississippi Delta, and recently finished my undergraduate degree at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS. I spent my breaks from school working as a research assistant at an Army Corps of Engineers aquatic ecology lab, where I spent most of my time sorting and identifying invertebrates from the bottom of the Mississippi River. I graduated fromWilliam Carey University with an Environmental Biology major and Chemistry minor
I am interested in amphibian behavior and ecology, and I plan to study defense behaviors in dendrobatid poison frogs.
Owen McClintock, Drenovsky Lab
Office: D-W342
Email: ommclintock27@jcu.edu
In May of 2025 my wife and I completed our undergraduate studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas where we were both student athletes. I received a B.S. in Biology, Psychology and Biochemistry. My wife Sofi Fortuño is a masters student and Graduate Assistant for the tennis team here at JCU. I am also a member of the football team here at JCU. I am a member of the inaugural class of Phi Beta Kappa at Texas State.
I have always been a lover of the outdoors, but cannot wait to dive into what specifically makes plants so unique.
Samuel Hinkley, Saporito Lab
Office: D-W249
Email: shinkley27@jcu.edu
I have a B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University, with a double concentration in "Zoo and Aquarium Science" and "Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology." Most recently I was living in Madison Wisconsin, and working in wildlife rehabilitation at the Dane County Humane Society Wildlife Center with everything from tree frogs to bald eagles.
My research interests include chemical ecology, predator-prey interactions, and evolutionary trade-offs as they pertain to reptiles and amphibians.
Jensyn Scott,Anthony/Hickerson Lab
Office: D-W248
Email: jlscott27@jcu.edu
I've lived in Cincinnati, OH my entire life; coming up to JCU will be my first time living outside of my home county! While in Cincy, I completed my biology undergrad at Northern Kentucky University and assisted Dr. Durtsche with research for two years in his herpetology lab. While the first project was continuing a broad population survey at our field site along the Ohio River, my second project focused on dispersal patterns of Cope's Gray Treefrogs. After this, I took a year off to work with the urban forestry team at Cincinnati Parks to prepare for moving out, and now I'm here!
I have broad interests in ecology and behavior as it pertains to amphibians. At JCU, I'll be exploring the phylogeny of bioflourescence and its evolution among plethodontid salamanders - ultimately expanding our knowledge of how many species fluoresce and where we may find divergence.
Carlota Faustino, Anthony/Hickerson Lab
Office:D-W248
Email: cfaustino27@jcu.edu
In 2023, I graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL with a B.S. in Zoology. There I was a member of the Taylor Lab where I was involved in determining the fitness benefits of color vision in the jumping spider Habronattus pyrrthrix and measuring the efficacy of their predation through their reproductive success.
Currently, I am exploring the potential role of biofluorescence as a visual signal in the courtship of the northern slimy salamander, Plethodon glutinosus. Additionally, I will be collaborating with Dr. Whitney Walkowski at Loyola University New Orleans to evaluate their spectral sensitivity through a series of electroretinograms.
Ashley Brumit, Drenovsky Lab
Office:D-W311
Email: abrumit24@jcu.edu
Last year I was in St. George, Utah working as a field botanist technician for the Seeds of Success program. I was tasked with scouting for native plant populations in the Colorado Plateau. In addition, I collected mature seeds to be used for habitat restoration purposes. I graduated from ֱ in May 2024 with a Biology Major; Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Minor.
My current research interest focuses on restoration ecology in dryland ecosystems and plant symbioses with soil microorganisms. I am currently researching how inoculating seeds with indigenous cyanobacteria species from the Mojave Desert improves early plant life stages.