Lab Members

Bucci Lab – 2023

Lab Members

	I am an engineer by training with a background in machine learning, mathematical modeling and synthetic microbiology. I am very much interested in problems of computational systems biology and microbial ecology involving genomics and metagenomics. I want to understand mechanisms responsible for the temporal and spatial dynamics of complex biological systems and develop tools to predict and engineer them. I like to row or play electric guitar in my spare time and I am fond of ancient roman and greek history and literature.
Vanni Bucci	Full Professor Associate Editor for Guest Editor at	Google Scholar    ORCiD    X Gut Microbes   mSystems  Microbial Cell JoVE

	I am interested in exploring associations/mechanisms involved in host-microbiome interactions during infection (Tuberculosis, C. diff etc.) by  leveraging cross-sectional and longitudinal multi-model datasets. I program in R for data exploration and visualization. In my spare time I enjoy playing guitar.
Shakti K. Bhattarai	Senior Bioinformatician	Google Scholar

 

	I am a Research Associate interested in the relationship between the microbiome, intestinal epithelial cells, and innate immune system and how their roles differ during infection. In my free time I enjoy playing ice hockey, skiing, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Nicole Briand	Research Associate III

	I am a Postdoctoral Associate interesed in exploring a combination of synthetic microbiology as well as targeted microbiome therapy to improve the host immune response and health outcomes for various human pathogens and colitis.  In my spare time I like playing badminton, traveling, photography, and listening to music.
Pharvendra Kumar	Postdoctoral Associate	LinkedIn

	I am interested in how bacterial antimicrobial peptides affect the ecological dynamics in the gut environment and how we can use that knowledge to engineer probiotic bacteria to target clinically relevant human pathogens. In my spare time I like to explore new places on hikes and during traveling or enjoy a BBQ at home.
Benedikt M. Mortzfeld	Instructor Associate Editor for Guest Editor at	Google Scholar   LinkedIn    ORCiD Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins JoVE   Gut Microbes

	I am a Research Associate with a degree in Biology and Biotechnology and a history of research on bacteria and their mammalian hosts. I am interested in bacterial genetics and the roles of bacteria as both pathogens and commensals. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, music, and tabletop games.
Charlotte J. Reames	Research Associate IV	GoogleScholar

	I am a Bioinformatician primarily interested in using computational approaches to probe the relationship between the microbiome and neurodegenerative diseases. When not in the lab or at my desk, I enjoy rowing, rock climbing, hiking, and spending time with my cat and rabbit.
Abigail L. Zeamer	Bioinformatician II	ORCiD    ResearchGate

Lab Affiliates

	I specialize as a data scientist in healthcare, focusing on Alzheimer's research. My skills encompass custom neural networks, implementing LLMs, and data engineering using Python, R, and SQL. I tackle complex challenges regarding neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of research, I enjoy traveling, biking, basketball, and playing my LiberLive C1 guitar with family.
Ziyuan Huang	Postdoctoral Associate (Bucci & Haran Labs)	LinkedIn     GoogleScholar

	I am a part time PhD student and full-time employee in the biotechnology industry, specializing in cell and gene therapy. I am interested in the application of gene editing technologies in the study and treatment of diseases. When I have free time, I enjoy long distance running, hiking, golf, and spending time with my dog.
Katherine E. Galindo	Graduate Student UMassD	LinkedIn

Alumni

Earlier Years

2021

Tasia Kellogg, Vanni Bucci, Abigail Zeamer, Shakti Bhattarai, Benedikt Mortzfeld

2020

Suhas Maringanti, Benedikt Mortzfeld, Armani Tayeh, Shakti Bhattarai, Vanni Bucci, Tasia Kellogg

2019

Shakti Bhattarai, Haley Dupre, Vanni Bucci, Jacob Palmer, Benedikt Mortzfeld, Pratibha Harrison