Lab Members

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

Google Scholar

ORCID

Web of Science

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Graduate Researchers

Bhuwan Abbot

she/her

“My research interests involve DNA and RNA omics, and molecular biology. As a PhD student in The Carter Lab, I am exploring the key genes involved in interactions between Pestalotiopsis and Luteibacter. When I’m not in lab, you’ll spot me at the grocery store, doing chores, or running errands!”

Biological Sciences (PhD)

e: babbot@charlotte.edu

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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)

e: dnivens1@charlotte.edu

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Ruth Wright

she/her

“Some of my hobbies include shopping, watching movies, and just relaxing.”

Biological Sciences (PhD)

e: rwrigh55@charlotte.edu

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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

Early Entry Masters Student

e: sfield7@charlotte.edu

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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

Ty Sokolowski

he/him

“I am a vet tech on the pre-vet track who loves everything to do with animals, especially cats! I love researching pathogens as well, and my hobbies including watching anime and camping”

Biological Sciences

Honors Undergraduate

e: tsokolo2@charlotte.edu

Megan Soto

she/her

“I’m interested in researching bacteria, how they can help/disrupt viruses, and how they affect us. My hobbies include reading manga, reading/watching theories online, and watching TV shows.”

Biological Sciences

Undergraduate Researcher

e: msoto6@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

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!

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Lab Alums

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)

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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)

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Atalia Cooper

she/her

Biological Sciences

OUR Scholar

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Eric Brooks

he/him

Biological Sciences

OUR Scholar

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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