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
Postdoctoral Researchers
Ngoc Dung Pham
she/her
“My research interests focus on microbial interactions and how microbes respond to their environment, with a broader interest in One Health and the connections between environmental, animal, and human health. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with my cat, doing yoga, and watching cooking competition shows.”
Biological Sciences
Postdoc
e: npham19@charlotte.edu
Graduate Researchers
Bhuwan Abbot
she/her
“I use techniques in molecular biology and bioinformatics to find the molecules and mechanisms underlying bacterial-fungal endosymbioses. I am also a Doctoral Writing Fellow at the Graduate and Postdoctoral Writing Center. I love my houseplants, and I’m starting to enjoy baking.”
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
Collaborating and Affiliated
Paulo Freire
he/him
“I’m a Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineer using quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP), metagenomics, and machine learning to investigate chemosynthetic microbes and viruses in the modern analogs of early Earth’s oceans: the marine hydrothermal vent ecosystems. Since August 2025, I have been a Doctoral Writing Fellow at the Graduate and Postdoctoral Writing Center (GPWC). In my free time, I like to cook, hike, and practice astrophotography!”
Biological Sciences (PhD)
e: pfreire@charlotte.edu
Co-Advised Student with Dr. Elaine Luo (Stony Brook University)
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.”
Lab Alums
Amritha Selvaraj
she/her
Biological Sciences
Summer OUR Scholar 2026
Mia Manjarres
she/her
Biological Sciences
Summer OUR Scholar 2026
Megan Soto
she/her
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Ty Sokolowski
he/him
Biological Sciences
Honors Undergraduate
Alison Moore
she/her
Biological Sciences (MSc)
Aylha Pferschy
she/her
Biological Sciences (MSc)
Atalia Cooper
she/her
Biological Sciences
Summer OUR Scholar 2025
Eric Brooks
he/him
Biological Sciences
Summer OUR Scholar 2025
MyAsia Owens
she/her
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Paola Diaz-Matamoros
she/her
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Taylor Yonemura
he/they
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Laira Lee
she/her
NCSSM-Morganton
High School Intern
Lauren Carneal
she/her
Genetics B.Sc. – Clemson University 2023
Technician
Timothy Love
he/him
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Researcher
Venus Kajangu
She/her
Psychology and Computer Science (Concentration: Bioinformatics)
Undergraduate Researcher
