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.
Divi Kosaraju
My name is Divi and I am a sophomore at West Chester University of Pennsylvania as a Biology major. I joined the lab in 2025 and love being able to work here! I have always loved biology and the life sciences in general. In my free time I love to paint, sketch, and dance!
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
Noah Johnson
I am currently studying Integrative Biology as an senior undergraduate at West Chester University. I am hoping to obtain my M.S. (Thesis Option) at West Chester University as well and eventually attain a doctorate where I can work in the lab. I love everything outdoors including hiking, camping, and photography as well as indoor alternatives like playing the piano and learning guitar. Molecular biology, genetics, microbiology and bioinformatics are some of my favorite biology niches, so I hope to pursue further research in those areas. I am particularly fascinated by bacterial transformation and chromosomal integration to produce proteins of interest that may be utilized in healthcare, so I am eager to learn all that I can!
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!
Holly Leitten
I’m currently a sophomore undergraduate majoring in Medical Laboratory Sciences at West Chester University. Biology has always been my favorite subject ever since high school where I first learned about how cells make up all that we see and how even the smallest of changes can make the biggest impact. Some of my happiest moments are in laboratory settings where I’m able to use the skills I learn during lectures and apply them practically while observing the outcomes of my work whether visually through chemical/cellular reactions or via graphical representations of data. In my spare time I play video games of various genres and compose music as a hobby, sometimes uploading the songs I’ve created to Spotify and YouTube. I’m really looking forward to learning more and meeting new people here at Ramalho Lab!
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!
Maima Bogar
My name is Maima and I am an undergraduate student at West Chester University majoring in Biochemistry. I joined Ramalho Lab in 2025. Though chemistry is my major field of science, I am excited to expand my horizon within this biology lab. I look forward to learning skills that I will be able to use in the future as an aspiring scientist. In my free time, I like to play my instruments and spend time with my family and friends.
Amelia Urbanchuk
I am Amelia! I am a freshman at WCU, majoring in Biology with concentration in microbiology. I joined the Ramalho Lab in 2025. I am so excited to gain experience in research! Ever since I was little, I have always had a love for science and learning. Being professionally trained in culinary and pastry arts, I have found that I tend to learn best from hands-on work. When I am not studying, I love hanging out with my friends, listening to music, and cooking & baking!
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
- MS. Lily Kelleher 2023-2025. PhD Student at Ohio State University. Check Lily's website here
- Alexandra Gianaris 2022 - 2025.
- Ethan Scolastico 2024-2025.
- Elizabeth Williamson 2024-2025.
- 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!