Assistant Professor (Principal Investigator)
Dr. Morgan Carter
she/her
“Through my training in molecular plant-microbe interactions, I found the hidden world of endofungal bacteria and have been hooked ever since. When not in the lab, I read, play video and board games, and enjoy the mountains and beaches of NC.”
Plant Pathology Ph.D. – Cornell University 2020
Biochemistry B.Sc. – North Carolina State University 2014
e: morgan.carter@charlotte.edu
Graduate Researchers
Bhuwan Abbot
she/her
“I use techniques in molecular biology and bioinformatics to answer questions about genetic and genomic bases of bacterial-fungal endosymbiosis. I work with the Rhizopus-Mycetohabitans and Pestalotiopsis-Luteibacter systems. Outside of lab, I enjoy hanging out with my cat, cooking, doing art, and sports.”
Biological Sciences
PhD Candidate
e: babbot@charlotte.edu
Dallas (Nivens) Moses
she/her
“My favorite area of biology is microbial ecology, and in my free time I love to read!”
Biological Sciences
PhD Candidate
e: dnivens1@charlotte.edu
Ruth Wright
she/her
“Some of my hobbies include shopping, watching movies, and just relaxing.”
Biological Sciences
PhD Candidate
e: rwrigh55@charlotte.edu
Sara Field
she/her
“I’m interested in One Health and researching pathogens. In my free time I love to swim, read, and scroll through Pinterest!”
Biological Sciences
Masters Student
e: sfield7@charlotte.edu
Haeden Poslinski
they/them
“My research interests involve utilizing molecular approaches to understand how endofungal bacteria establish and maintain symbiosis with their host. I enjoy hiking, weight-lifting, reading, writing, and finding innovative ways to reuse everyday items to reduce waste.”
Biological Sciences
Masters Student
e: kposlins@charlotte.edu
Undergraduate Researchers
Lea Mennen
she/her
“I love that in research you’re always being challenged and that you have to think critically. Outside of research I also enjoy reading, dancing, skiing and really anything outdoors.”
Biological Sciences
Honors Undergraduate
e: lmennen@charlotte.edu
Vainqueur Makema
she/her
“I want to learn more about microbes because of my strong interest in working in healthcare and understanding how microorganisms impact human health. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, shopping, and playing video games.”
Biological Sciences
Honors Undergraduate
e: vmakema@charlotte.edu
Jakada Harris
she/her
“Outside of research, I enjoy reading, painting, and hiking!”
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
e: jharr338@charlotte.edu
Amritha Selvaraj
she/her
“I am interested in research in organismal ecology and biotechnology, especially how natural traits and adaptations can be applied to genomic research. In my free time, I love to do anything crafty (crochet, sew, make jewelry), cook, read, and travel!”
Biological Sciences
OUR Scholar
e: aselvar2@charlotte.edu
Mia Manjarres
she/her
“Just getting my feet wet in research to see what I would like to do! Hobbies include reading, listening to music, and long scenic walks with my dog or friends!”
Biological Sciences
OUR Scholar
e: mmanjarr@charlotte.edu
Collaborating and Affiliated
Caroline West
she/her
“For research, I really love nucleic acids, learning more about disease processes, learning new skills, and brand new topics that haven’t been explored. For hobbies, I enjoy reading, working out, dancing, spending time with my two daughters, and being outside.”
Bioinformatics (PhD)
e: chill112@charlotte.edu
Collaboration Student with the LaBella Lab
After a summer rotation in the Carter Lab, Caroline continues to work with us on phages in our bacterial endosymbionts, adding another layer!
Lab Alums
Megan Soto
she/her
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Ty Sokolowski
he/him
Ty finished his Honors thesis and graduated in May 2026.
Biological Sciences
Honors Undergraduate
Alison Moore
she/her
Alison finished her MSc in December of 2025. A founding member of the lab, she pushed forward our projects with Luteibacter mycovicinus.
Biological Sciences (MSc)
Aylha Pferschy
she/her
Aylha defended her MSc in July of 2025. She created a genetic toolbox for studying the function of DNA-binding proteins in Mycetohabitans.
Biological Sciences (MSc)
Atalia Cooper
she/her
Biological Sciences
OUR Scholar
Eric Brooks
he/him
Biological Sciences
OUR Scholar
MyAsia Owens
she/her
MyAsia tackled some of the tricky aspects of Mycetohabitans, helping us tame it for new experiments. Graduated Spring 2025.
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Paola Diaz-Matamoros
she/her
Paola helped the lab grow! No really, she was key to getting our in planta assays rolling. Graduated Spring 2025.
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Taylor Yonemura
he/they
Taylor established our first collaboration with the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens and brought the first insects into the Carter Lab. Graduated Spring 2025.
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Laira Lee
she/her
Our antiSMASH wizard, Laira finished high school and her virtual internship with us and is moving on to NC State for undergrad.
NCSSM-Morganton
High School Intern
Lauren Carneal
she/her
Lauren was instrumental in getting this place up and running! We are incredibly excited to follow her work as a graduate student at Penn State.
Genetics B.Sc. – Clemson University 2023
Technician
Timothy Love
he/him
After studying motility and competition in the lab, Tim got a part-time position at a PT office, which will help him achieve his goals of becoming a physical therapist.
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Venus Kajangu
She/her
After completing her project on binding element prediction, Venus left the lab to take her growing computer skills to the world of psychology research.
Psychology and Computer Science (Concentration: Bioinformatics)
Undergraduate Researcher
