PEOPLE

WHITNEY GARCIA, Richland, WA, USA.  Lab Manager

Whitney L. Garcia is a graduate of Washington State University (M.S) in biological and agricultural engineering. Prior to moving to Baylor University, she conducted research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory from 2014 to 2022. Whitney has performed research in synthetic biology, chemical biology, bioremediation, toxicology, and radiological research areas. Her current research focuses on the role of the gut microbiomes in xenobiotic metabolism.  Her hobbies include cooking, hiking, reading, gardening and her kids’ activities. She and her husband, David, have two daughters and a son.

TULASI RELANGI, West Godaviri, India.  Postdoctoral Associate

Tulasi obtained his PhD in Microbiology from Madurai Kamaraj University where he studied the genetic traits of Livestock-Associated Staphylococcus aureus using comparative genomics and computational biology. He then moved to Dr. Manisha Goel’s lab as a Research Associate to work on comparative structural variations of proteins in pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria in the Department of Biophysics, University of Delhi South Campus. He then joined as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Microbiome Research Laboratory at UT Southwestern Medical Center to work on microbial DNA signatures in the blood of pediatric populations. His major research interests include data analysis, integrating Machine Learning models into biological data and developing computational frameworks for big data in biology.

He enjoys watching movies and web series. He likes reading fiction and non-fictional novels, and playing cricket. He loves spending time with his two handsome sons and exploring scenic attractions.

KRISTINA SHIPMAN, Moscow, Russia. Grad Student (Yr 4)

Kris received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Baylor University and is now pursuing her Ph.D. in Biology. Her research is focused on the mechanisms of fiber metabolism in the gut microbiome and correlations with pathogenesis. Outside of the lab, she likes to read, embroider, and collect house plants. Kris and her husband Jake have 3 adorable cats.

AMELIA SLUSSER, Baltimore, MD, USA.  Grad Student (Yr 3)

Amelia received her Bachelor’s in Environmental Biology with minors in Psychology and Chemistry from Liberty University.  While at Liberty, she conducted research in ecotoxicology, specifically with freshwater ecosystems.  She is currently a first year PhD student and is interested in studying the gut microbiome and its relation to mental health.  When she is not in lab, Amelia enjoys running, swimming, hiking, reading, and doing puzzles.

CHINENYE NWIKE, Nigeria. Grad Student (Yr 3)

Chinenye holds a B. Sc. degree in Biochemistry, from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She is currently enrolled for her PhD in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department. Within the Wright’s group, her interests surround probing the roles that human gut microbes play in xenobiotic metabolism. Her core focus lies on examining the gut microbial enzymes that are implicated in drug metabolism, as well as the molecular and biochemical transformations they execute. Through these, she intends to shed more light on mechanisms underlying variations in how different individuals respond to certain drugs; based on the diversities in the gut microbiome. Outside of lab, she loves cycling, soccer, collecting memes, hanging out with friends, and binge-watching TV series, when she can. 

HARRISON HALL, Fort Worth, TX, USA. Grad Student     (Yr 3)

Harrison got his degree from Trinity University in Biology with a
concentration in cellular and molecular biology. He is from Fort Worth,
Texas, and his project looks at the use of microbes in plastic degradation. In
his spare time, Harrison enjoys activities that let him be creative.

JACK RUSSO, Jupiter, FL, USA. Grad Student (Yr 3)

Jack received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Hobart and William Smith College.  He is a second year graduate student. His research with the Wright lab will focus on Design and Synthesis of Novel Activity Based Probes.  In his time outside of the lab he enjoys baking, playing videogames and spending time with his dog.  

LaRAE HUDSON, Richland, WA, USA. Grad Student (Yr 3)

LaRae Hudson is pursing her PhD in Biology at Baylor University. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Northwest Nazarene University. Following graduation, she worked at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in her hometown of Tri–Cities, WA. At Baylor, LaRae is currently working on a project investigating the functional mechanisms connecting artificial sweeteners and the gut microbiome. Outside of work, LaRae loves to take road trips, bake, and browse antique shops.

SHITTU OLUWATOSIN, Nigeria. Grad Student (Yr 3)

Oluwatosin (Tosin) received her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Biology. Her research interests lie in investigating how early-life exposure to chemical contaminants impacts the gut microbiome and the host’s metabolic capacity. She loves singing and watching sitcoms.

EMMANUEL TOBECHUKWU UGWUOJI, Nigeria. Grad Student (Yr 2)

Emmanuel graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with an M.S. in Microbiology. He earned his undergraduate degree at Nnamdi Azikiwe Univeristy, Nigeria. He has previously worked as a teaching and research staff member at Nnamdi Azikwe University’s department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing. At Baylor, he is pursuing a PhD in the Wright Group. His research interests include fecal microbiota transplantation. Emmanuel enjoys hanging out with friends, riding his bike, kayaking, running, and playing soccer when he’s not at the lab.  

SAM JOSEPH, Hartshill, England. Grad Student (Yr 2)

Sam received his Bachelor’s degree in Physiology with a minor in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota. Sam’s undergraduate and postgraduate research was conducted in the lab of Dr. Laurie Parker, where he profiled kinase substrates using proteomics to develop synthetic peptide probe assays. At Baylor, he is pursuing a PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry in the Wright Lab. Sam is working on developing activity-based probes to elucidate the effects that xenobiotics have on the gut microbiome, and their interplay in relation to IBS and IBD. His other research interests include method development for the optimization of microbiome proteomics, and the biotechnological applications of microbiome-derived metabolism. Outside of the lab, Sam loves to play and watch football (soccer!), being an avid supporter of Leicester City and England. He also enjoys cooking and trying new foods, playing volleyball, reading, playing video games, and watching movies.

  UCHENNA CALISTUS OKPE, Enugu State, Nigeria. Grad. Student (YR 1)

Uchenna received his bachelor’s in microbiology from Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and holds a masters degree in biomedical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, New York. His research interest is designing in vitro disease models to understand the mechanism of diseases. In the Wright group,  Uchenna’s interests are creating an in vitro synthetic community to study functional gutdysbiosis and how it leads to the degradation of tight junction proteins. Outside the lab, Uchenna enjoys reading, meditating, and playing soccer.

RIVER KAVENEY, Hewitt, TX, USA. Grad Student (M.S.)

River is currently working towards his Master of Science. He received his undergraduate degree from Baylor and later began working in the Biology Department, where he is continuing as the graduate program coordinator. As his Master’s thesis project, River is using  omics technologies to test the efficacy of certain compounds at neutralizing toxins found in snake venom. Outside of work, River enjoys playing video games and spending time with his wife and dogs.

ABBEY PITTS, Alexandria, LA, USA. Undergrad

Abbey is a senior Medical Humanities major on the pre-veterinary track. She is interested in researching the relation between the gut microbiome and human health especially in regards to mental health. Once she graduates, she plans to either pursue a career in veterinary medicine or earn a PhD. 

AYDEN THOMA, San Antonio, TX, USA. Undergrad

Ayden is a junior University Scholar major with a concentration in Biology on the pre-dentistry track. He is interested in the effects of foreign chemicals and stress on the function of the gut microbiome. After graduating, Ayden hopes to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry.

BEN BURKE, Houston, TX, USA. Undergrad

Ben is a sophomore University Scholar with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, and Spanish. He is interested in the gut microbiome and the application of chemical probes, as well as connections to cancer and disease. After graduating, Ben hopes to pursue medical school and a career in the crossroads between Radiology and Oncology while also furthering his research interests.

BRYANA TREJO, USA. Undergrad

Bryana is a senior biology major with a biochemistry minor. With a passion for research, her aspirations include continuing post–undergraduate studies into graduate school diving deeper into microbiology and virology, and Wright Group, with its focus on the ecosystem of the gut microbiome and its interactions with the environment and the effects of human health, allows for further engagement with the microworld.

DANNY LE, Fort Worth, TX, USA. Undergrad

Danny is a sophmore Science Research Fellows major with biochemistry and math minors on the pre-medical track. He is interested in the use of chemical probes in gut microbiome research and the application to human treatments. After graduation, he hopes to further pursue both research and medicine through an MD-PhD program.

ISABELLE RUSSO, Avon, CT, USA. Undergrad

Isabelle is a senior Medical Humanities and Greek and Roman Studies double major minoring in Biology on the pre–medical track. She is very interested in the interaction between the gut microbiome and the immune system, and the Wright Group allows her to pursue this passion. Her future plans include attending medical school to become a physician while also furthering her research interests.

MADISON ANDREWS, Chanhassen, MN, USA. Undergrad

Madison is a junior Science Research Fellow with a concentration in biochemistry and a minor in economics. She is interested in the application of chemical probes to explore the connections between the immune system and gut microbiome. Upon graduation, she intends to pursue a Ph.D. in biochemistry.

RAYYAN MOMIN, Houston, TX, USA. Undergrad

Rayyan is a sophmore Biology major on the pre-medicine track. He is interested in research involving gut microbiomes and how computational biology can be used for further data analysis. Once he graduates, Rayyan plans to earn a Ph.D. or pursue a medical career as a physician.

SARA FARAHANI, Plano, TX, USA. Undergrad

Sara is a senior Biology major with minors in Medical Humanities and Biochemistry on the pre-medical track. She is interested in hands-on research related to the gut microbiome, and other topics related to health and wellness. After graduating, Sara will go to medical school in pursuit of a career as a general practitioner.

TRENT JOHNSON, Orange County, CA, USA. Undergrad

Trent is a freshman majoring in Business Fellows, Economics, and Biochemistry with a Mathematics minor on the Pre-Medical track. He is fascinated by the impact of environmental toxins and nutrition on the gut microbiome and how that affects overall health and wellness. After graduation, he hopes to pursue both research and medicine through an MD-PhD program.