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! ->
Sabrina Meireles
Sabrina' is a brilliant Ph.D. student at INPA (Brazil) and joined the lab in 2022 with Dr. Ramalho as co-adviser. Sabrina has experience with Virology, Parasitology and Entomology. Based in the Amazon (Brazil) she uses her skills to study the impact of the microbiome on troinsects that can transmit diseases to humans.
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.
Em Pisiechko
I am a 4th year student at West Chester University pursuing a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology. I joined the Ramalho lab in 2023. After completing my degree, I plan on working in a laboratory setting. I have always been curious about the world around me and how it worked, so biology felt like a perfect fit for me! Some of my favorite areas of study include microbiology, genetics, and molecular biology. Aside from biology, I also love to draw, play guitar, and spend time in the great outdoors.
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!
Gianna Parrish
Gianna [or 'G', for short] is an Honors undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a Cell & Molecular concentration, and a minor in Sociology. In the future, she plans on becoming a physician for Doctors without Borders and continuing research. Beyond excited to join the Ramalho Lab and pursue her passion for the sciences, Gianna is delighted by the ways she can learn and grow as a scientist from the Ramalho Lab. When she's not hitting the books or in the lab, you can find Gianna hiking, kayaking in the Brandywine, or listening to one of her many favorite podcasts.
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!
Areeba Asim
I am a senior studying at West Chester University majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology. I joined the Ramalho lab in 2023 and plan to gain experience in terms of research and communication to help me in the medical field. I am passionate about the field of medicine because it allows me to combine my love for science with my desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. In my spare time I hangout with my family. Their love and support motivates me to work hard towards achieving my goals.
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
Kenya Lovell
Kenya is a 4th year student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania studying Cell & Molecular Biology, and she joined the Ramalho lab in 2022. Her research interests span various disciplines, but she is especially interested in cell, molecular, and developmental biology because she loves to explore how tiny details fit into the big picture. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree in the future, and ultimately hopes to conduct research within the women’s health field. In her spare time, she loves to read, write, sing, and is a total thrill-seeker, so she is always ready for a fun adventure!
Go Kenya!!!!
Kenya is a Mater student now!
Jonathan Morgan
I'm a 4th year senior studying Cell and Molecular Biology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. I joined the Ramalho lab in 2022. I plan to continue research work in labs after graduation and continue to grad school in the near future to pursue a masters or doctoral degree. I have been an incredibly exploratory person for as long as I can remember who has always enjoyed doing research and learning about the world. This ingrained exploratory nature has allowed me to intrench myself deeply into Biology and Biochemistry. In my spare time away from formal lab research I enjoy engineering work, tree arborist/felling work, mountain climbing, trail running/biking, backpacking, wildlife photography, reading, gardening and small road trips.
On the Ramalho lab, my project will have a lot of field work and outdoor activities!
Tas works at a really cool start up applying what he learned in the wetlab!
Skylar Ekman
Sky Eckman is a 4th year student at West Chester University, studying Biology with a concentration in Microbiology. She joined the Ramalho lab in Fall 2022. In her free time, Sky serves as V.P. of the Microbiology Club and co-hosts a radio show called Trilobite Transmissions on WCUR 91.7 FM. Her favorite pastime is walking with her brothers to look under logs for "bugs" (and salamanders). Sky loves to learn about symbioses, particularly parasitism, as they pertain to invertebrate host and vector species. Her current topic of interest is Wolbachia in parasitoid wasps. Sky plans to attain a tertiary degree in the future while further studying these relationships using ecological, evolutionary, and Metagenomic approaches.