
Graduate Students
Azam Baharlouei
PhD Student

Life Science III, 1013
Phone: 618-453-2930
E‑mail: baharlouei@siu.edu
Field:
Metabolic and genomic characterization of biofuel producing microbes
Degrees:
MS, 2009, Biotechnology Engineering, Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran
BS, 2003, Plant Breeding and Agronomy Engineering, Shahrekord University, Iran
Advisor:
Scott Hamilton-Brehm
Amanda Blocker
MS student

Life Science III, 1011
Phone:
E‑mail:
a.blocker23@siu.edu
Field:
Developmental Regulation in Chlamydia
Degrees:
BS, 2019, Microbiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Advisor:
Derek Fisher
Lakshika Dissanayake
MS Student

Life Science II, 139
Phone: 618-303-5298
Email:
lakshika.dissanayakemudiyanselage@siu.edu
Field:
Synthetic microbiology and metabolic engineering
Degrees:
M. Sc., 2019, Biotechnology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
B. Sc., 2016, Applied Biology (Specialization in Microbiology), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Advisor:
Dr. Lahiru Jayakody
April Hasket
MS Student

Lindegren, 7
Phone: 618-453-2520
E‑mail: ahaskett11801@siu.edu
Field:
Characterization of the Hawaiian Bobtail squid alkaline phosphatase, EsAP1
Degrees:
BS, 2016, Biology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Advisor:
Bethany Rader
Besmir Hyseni
MS Student

Life Science II, 126
Phone: 618-453-7984
E-mail:
besmir.hyseni@siu.edu
Field:
Immunology, Host-Pathogen Interactions
Degrees:
BS, 2019, Biological Sciences at University of Prishtina, Kosovo
Advisor:
Vjollca Konjufca
Shiomi Kuwabara
MS Student

Life Science III, 1011
Phone: 618-453-3249
E-mail:
shiomi.kuwabara@siu.edu
Field:
Developmental Regulation in Chlamydia
Degrees:
BS, 2018, Biotechnology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Derek Fisher
Trevor Murphy
MS student

Life Science III, 1013
Phone:
E-mail:
tmurphy@siu.edu
Field:
Bioinformatic analysis of extremophilic microorganisms
Degrees:
BS, 2019, Microbiology, Southern Illinois University
Advisor:
Scott Hamilton-Brehm
Nita Shillova
MS Student

Life Science II, 126
Phone: 618-453-7984
E‑mail: nita.shillovaa@gmail.com
Field:
Immunology, Host-Pathogen Interactions
Degrees:
BS, 2017, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Jacobs University, Bremen
Advisor:
Vjollca Konjufca
Erik Velkme
MS Student

Life Science III, 1011
Phone:
E‑mail: erik.velkme@siu.edu
Field:
Molecular biology of Cyanobacteria
Degrees:
BS, 2015, Biology, Michigan State University
Advisor:
Scott Hamilton-Brehm
Ellen Werderitsch
MS Student

Life Science III, 1057
Phone:
E‑mail:
ewerderitsch@siu.edu
Field:
Host-microbe interactions and innate immunology of the squid/vibrio model system
Degrees:
BS, 2019, Microbiology, Southern Illinois University
Advisor:
Bethany Rader