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
“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
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
Ruth Wright
she/her
“Some of my hobbies include shopping, watching movies, and just relaxing.”
Biological Sciences (PhD)
e: rwrigh55@charlotte.edu
Alison Moore
she/her
“My interests lie in bacteriophages as well as antimicrobial resistance”
Biological Sciences (MSc)
e: amoor161@charlotte.edu
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
Undergraduate Researchers
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
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
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 (Bachelors)
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
