Our Team
Dr. Manuela Ramalho
I have a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho – UNESP (2010) and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho- UNESP (2017) (Brazil). I did my Postdoctoral Researcher at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY, USA) and Field Museum (Chicago, IL, USA) in the Moreau Lab (Dr. Corrie S. Moreau). Currently, I am Assistant Professor of Department of Biology at West Chester University (PA). I have experience in the areas of microbiome, genetics, genomics, and more specifically molecular biology of insects (especially my favorite – ants)!
For more details, you can find my CV below!
#NewPI
Devin Bradley
I am an alumni from Kutztown University where I obtained a B.S. in Biology and joined the Ramalho lab in 2022. I am Masters student (thesis option)at West Chester University and currently employed by Merck as a Quality Specialist. I plan on getting into the laboratory/research division once I finish my M.S. and eventually open to pursue a Doctorate. I am an open minded person and I enjoy active learning environments that challenge development. I like to think that I can do work in any concentration but I very much enjoy genetics and virology. Some of my many hobbies are rugby, hiking, finishing, carpentry and archery. It is my passion to one day improve cancer screening processes to better combat living with cancer and early detection.
This is my sweet girl, Freya! ->
Amanda Munshower
I am an alumna of West Chester University of Philadelphia with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology. I’m currently pursuing my M.S in Biology also at WCU and I joined the Ramalho lab in 2023. At the same time, I am also employed as a Research Associate for National Resilience as part of the Molecular Analytical Development team. I have many interests within the biology field, but I am especially interested in using the capabilities of Next Gen Sequencing (NGS) to obtain a multiomic view of biological happenings in regard to cancer research. I hope to use this research as a path to better understand immune cell signaling and to help develop new therapeutic targets in the fight against cancer. Apart from science, I love reading, hiking, and traveling around the world.
Lily Kelleher
I have a B.S. in Environmental Science and Biology from Widener University (2023) and am currently pursuing my M.S. in Biology from West Chester University. Afterwards I will be pursuing a PhD, hopefully in an ecology related field. I am passionate about protecting our environment and animals through conservation. The best way to do this is through learning more about the interactions that occur in nature. I am greatly interested in microbial ecology and herpetology and one day I hope to be able to study the interaction between microbes and reptiles/amphibians.
Check Lily's website here
Isabella Barboza
(PhD. student - visiting scholar from Brazil)
I'm Isabella, a biologist and PhD student at the Biological Institute in Brazil. I've been approved to conduct part of my research at West Chester University, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity and anxious to learn more about the tick microbiome. I've always loved animals and have been very curious, so research is the perfect fit for me because I'm discovering and learning new things every day. Additionally, I'm also a classical ballet dancer, so I love spending my free time dancing. I adore the combination of science and art, it's great for balancing the body and mind.
Check Isa's website here
**Isa will stay in WCU from June 2024- November 2024
Amanda Cohan
I'm a sophomore at West Chester University majoring in marine biology. I joined the Ramalho lab in 2023. I'm very excited to gain experience in research. I've always loved biology, I even used to get encyclopedias as holiday gifts. In my free time I go on walks with friends, practice my bass guitar, and watch movies. I can't wait to learn a lot more about microbiomes with such a great group of people!
Alexandra Gianaris
I am a junior undergraduate student at West Chester University pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a Cell and Molecular concentration intending to pursue a doctorate following graduation. I had a unique path into science, originally starting the first two years of my undergraduate degree as a Theatre major with aspirations to go into stage management. I knew starting at the university that I loved hands-on work and I felt incredibly passionate about representing the lives of those being told on stage. I sought to help others gain a humanistic perspective of other people's lives and cultures in an intimate mode of art. After taking a survey course in Biology during the second year of my degree, I had my lightbulb moment, finding a deep-rooted passion for Biology. That is when I decided to make the switch from an arts curriculum to a science curriculum, applying my devotion to those underrepresented in a new environment. The transition presented quite the learning curve, ultimately proving that it is not a predisposition to science but grit and resilience that grants success in the field.
I fervently hope to bolster the message that creative minds indeed belong in science and prioritize a holistic and interpersonal mindset when working towards treatment from lab bench to patient bedside. I hope to spend my time in the Ramalho Lab as a vehement advocate for the on-campus and surrounding community, whilst exploring interests in genomics, genomic effect on neurobiology and behavior, and the effect of changes in species’ microbiomes.
Kay Mcfadden
Kay is currently a second-year undergraduate student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania pursuing their degree in Biology with a concentration in Cells and Molecules. They joined Ramalho Lab in 2023. Since they were young, they've always been curious and loved science. In high school, they became particularly interested in cells and how they work together to carry out necessary biological functions. In the meantime, they love all things horror, metal music, and researching things for fun!
Ethan Scolastico
I’m a senior at WCU majoring in Integrative Biology. I joined the Ramalho Lab in 2024 and I am very excited to gain experience in research and working with those around me. Growing up, I’ve always had a passion for science, specifically for the field of biology. In my free time I love playing pickleball, watching sports, and spending time with my friends and family.
Elizabeth Williamson
I am a senior of biology and conservation here at WCU, I joined the lab in 2025 and I am excited to make the most of my time here. I’ve loved insects since early high school. I’ve gotten a few chances to work with insect collections in my time persuing this path and I’m excited to get some more hands-on experience with a taxa as fascinating and complex as an ants here at the lab.
Nicky Formiguinha (special guest member)
Nicky joined the lab in 2018.
Nicky is interested in all bugs, but she also has a special affection for ants! Besides insects, she likes other animals like Baby Shark, Peppa Pig and unicorns in general. She is now collecting samples for her experiment together with another member of Ramalho Lab - Cacau!
In broad terms, Nicky is interested in understanding - How does sharing food with a dog impact the microbiota of both toddler and pet?
#NickyFormiguinha
Cacau (special guest member and
motivational coordinator)
Cacau joined the lab in 2013.
A Brazilian wiener dog that doesn't like snow. In addition to working with Nicky on several projects, Cacau has a special interest in squirrels, and is always looking to increase her current sample size (n=0).
#Cacau
Here is our Alumni
- Kenya Lovell 2022-2023. Kenya is a Mater student now!
- Jonathan Morgan 2022-2023. Tas works at a really cool start up applying what he learned in the wetlab!
- Skylar Ekman 2022 - 2023.
- Areeba Asim 2023 - 2024.
- Em Pisiechko 2023 -2024.
- Dr. Sabrina Meireles 2022- 2025 (from INPA Br)
- Ms. Victor Ribeiro Sales 2023- 2025 (from Unesp Br)
Once a part of the Ramalho Lab, always a part of our lab!