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

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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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Alison Moore

she/her

“My interests lie in bacteriophages as well as antimicrobial resistance”

Biological Sciences (MSc)

e: amoor161@charlotte.edu

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Aylha Pferschy

she/her

“I enjoy learning more about microbes, pathogenicity, and molecular biology. The interactions between hosts and microbes are especially captivating due to how intricate and ever-changing they are.”

Biological Sciences (MSc)

e: apfersch@charlotte.edu

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Undergraduate Researchers

Paola Diaz-Matamoros

she/her

“I am very interested in viruses and bacteria! My hobbies include going thrifting, watching movies, and hanging out with my friends.”

Biological Sciences

e: Pdiazmat@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

e: sfield7@charlotte.edu

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MyAsia Owens

she/her

“In science, I love studying microbes, especially viruses, and how they impact us as humans. In my spare time, I love to crochet and write!”

Biological Sciences

e: mowens52@charlotte.edu

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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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Taylor Yonemura

he/they

“My research hobbies include taxonomical categorization and organization of fungal species, sustainable farming methods as a method of carbon sequestration, and silly fun facts. In my spare time I enjoy tending to my vegetable garden, digital art, and playing video games.”

Biological Sciences (Bachelors)

Collaboration Student with the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

After a successful summer project getting Mycetohabitans to “behave” better, Taylor is conducting a more organismal research project in collaboration with the Botanical Gardens.

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Laira Lee

she/her

“I am interested in learning research skills and bioinformatics tools through exploring the secondary metabolite clusters in Mycetohabitans. Outside of science, I love to cook, play with my many dogs, and play the cello.”

NCSSM-Morganton

Lab Alums

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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