Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Prof. Cynthia Silveira, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
University of Miami
cynthiasilveira@miami.edu
Google Scholar
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
University of Miami
cynthiasilveira@miami.edu
Google Scholar
Research Assistants
Kathryn Forcone
Laboratory Assistant
Kathryn graduated magna cum laude from UM with a B.S. in Biology in 2019. She currently works with Dr. Silveira assisting in her research.
khf16@miami.edu
Laboratory Assistant
Kathryn graduated magna cum laude from UM with a B.S. in Biology in 2019. She currently works with Dr. Silveira assisting in her research.
khf16@miami.edu
PhD Students
Natascha Varona
Natascha graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UC Davis, where she studied microbial consortia that contribute to coral health. She developed new approaches to cultivate diverse bacterial species from corals. In addition to doing research, Natascha uses her artistic talents to raise awareness for ocean health. At the University of Miami, Natascha was awarded a Maytag Fellowship for her research project on coral microbiomes.
Natascha graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UC Davis, where she studied microbial consortia that contribute to coral health. She developed new approaches to cultivate diverse bacterial species from corals. In addition to doing research, Natascha uses her artistic talents to raise awareness for ocean health. At the University of Miami, Natascha was awarded a Maytag Fellowship for her research project on coral microbiomes.
Alexandra Stiffler
Allie graduated with a B.S in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology as well as Genetics from Purdue University, where she studied protein interactions within a unique class of enzymes and their contribution to the virulence of the stomach pathogen H. pylori. She was the first to categorize a protein from this family in H. pylori with dual enzymatic function. As an undergrad, she was awarded the Goldwater Fellowship, a national research-based fellowship for accomplished undergraduate researchers. Her achievements secured her a Dean Fellowship from the University of Miami.
Allie graduated with a B.S in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology as well as Genetics from Purdue University, where she studied protein interactions within a unique class of enzymes and their contribution to the virulence of the stomach pathogen H. pylori. She was the first to categorize a protein from this family in H. pylori with dual enzymatic function. As an undergrad, she was awarded the Goldwater Fellowship, a national research-based fellowship for accomplished undergraduate researchers. Her achievements secured her a Dean Fellowship from the University of Miami.
Bailey Wallace
Bailey completed her B.S. in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies at UW-Madison. Since graduating, her work has focused on coral reef ecology and restoration with Mote Marine Laboratory as well as STEM outreach and education. Bailey is an avid scuba diver and is passionate about ocean conservation. Her work on marine science granted a her a Holmes Fellowship from the University of Miami.
Bailey completed her B.S. in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies at UW-Madison. Since graduating, her work has focused on coral reef ecology and restoration with Mote Marine Laboratory as well as STEM outreach and education. Bailey is an avid scuba diver and is passionate about ocean conservation. Her work on marine science granted a her a Holmes Fellowship from the University of Miami.
Undergraduates
Jialin Wu
Charlie is currently an undergraduate Junior at UM studying Biology. He is taking part in research in co-infections, superinfection exclusion, and infection networks.
Charlie is currently an undergraduate Junior at UM studying Biology. He is taking part in research in co-infections, superinfection exclusion, and infection networks.