The Team

Natalie LoMascolo

IPBS PhD Student

Hometown: River Grove, Illinois

BS: Biochemistry, Loyola University Chicago

MS: Infectious Disease and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago

Adds pumpkin spice to her fettucine.

Caroline Thomas

Research Technician

Hometown: Villa Park, Illinois

BS: Biology, Emory Univeristy

Has a framed picture of Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in her living room.

Samantha Stacey

IPBS PhD Student

Hometown: Springfield, Tennessee

BS: Biology, Maryville College

Tattooed "H₂O" on her hand to remind herself to drink more water.

Delaina May, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Hometown: MICHIGAN!!!

BS: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University

PhD: Virology, Loyola University Chicago

Once fixed a popped tire using only three rubber bands, a screwdriver, and (inexplicably) a Cabbage Patch doll.

Lab Alumni

Patrick Tate

Research Assistant

2017-2019

Currently PhD Student NYU

Hometown: Manalapan, New Jersey

BS: Biochemistry, Providence College

Unsuccessfully auditioned for MTV's True Life and took this job instead.

Tom Kicmal, MS

Master's Degree Student (InDiRI)

2017-2019

Currently PhD Student LUC

Hometown: Park Ridge, Illinois

BS: Biology, Carthage College

MS: Loyola University Chicago

Lives by the three T's of life: tennis, tea, and amateur sand castle building

Courtney Dial, PhD

Master's Degree Student (InDiRI)

2017-2019

Currently Medical and Public Health Microbiology Postdoctoral CPEP Fellow

Hometown: Yorkville, Illinois

BS: Biochemistry, Lewis University

MS: Loyola University Chicago

Requires that you use the formal usted if you speak to her in Spanish.

Zach Sandler

Master's Degree Student (InDiRI)
2018-2019

Currently CRMDx Sales Rep at Boston Scientific

Hometown: Northbrook, Illinois

BS: Integrative Biology, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign

Mastered playing the recorder to cope with the cancellation of Orange is the New Black.

Stephanie Beaucourt

Visiting Research Engineer

2019

Currently Non-Visiting Research Engineer

Hometown: Paris, France

BS: Biomedical Research at Sorbonne University

Was an extra in the Flo Rida music video for "Low."

Marion Graham, MS

Master's Degree Student (MIIM)

2018-2020

Currently PhD Student Rush University

Hometown: Durand, Michigan

BS: Biology, Eastern University

Elected mayor of her hometown when she was 7.

Jeremy Esin, MS

Master's Degree Student (InDiRI)

2018-2020

Currently PhD Student LUC

Hometown: Elgin, Illinois

BS: Genetics & Microbiology, Iowa State University

Recreated the movie Titanic in his neighbor's hot tub.

Charlie Yarwood

Master's Degree Student (MIIM)
2019-2020

Hometown: Hinesburg, Vermont

BS: Neuroscience, Drew University

Is on an all-carb diet.

Oreoluwa Omoba, MS

Master's Degree Student (InDIRI)

Currently MD/PhD Student UIC

Hometown: Marshfield, Wisconsin

BS: Neuroscience, UW-Madison

Literally touched Nick Jonas' hand.

Christina Cunha, PhD

Postdoc 2021-2022

Currently Future Dr. Fauci at BD Biosciences

Hometown: Sacramento, California

BS: Biochemistry (allegedly), Loyola Marymount University

PhD: Immunology, Loyola University Chicago

Stands behind her decision to avoid salad and other disgusting things.

Yazmin Cruz Pulido, PhD

IPBS PhD Student 2021-2023

Hometown: Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico & Melrose Park, Illinois

BS: Biology, Dominican University

Originally developed the recipe for cronuts in 2007.

Vince Mastrodomenico, MS

MIIM MS Student 2017-2019

Research Assistant 2019-2022

Currently CEO of Promega

Hometown: Bloomingdale, Illinois

BS: Biology, St. Norbert College

MS: Loyola University Chicago

Recently purchased a mini house trampoline and switched to Diet Snapple.

Mason Firpo, PhD

IPBS PhD Student 2020-2024

Currently Post Doc with Glenn Randall at UChicago

Hometown: The Woods of California

BS: Biology, Cal Polytechnic

PhD: Virology, Loyola University Chicago

Would make the perfect American president based upon his skill set, dance ability, and blood lust.

Andrea Chu, MS

MIIM MS Student 2022-2024

Currently PhD Student LUC

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

BS: Microbiology and Immunology, Cal Poly

Knows all the choreography to "Jingle Bell Rock" from Mean Girls

Maria del Mar Villanueva Guzman, MS

InDIRI MS Student 2022-2024

Hometown: Libertyville, Illinois; Spain

BS: Molecular Biology / International Studies / Bioethics, Loyola University

Visited Lindsay Lohan's club in Mykonos and drank a mojito with extra lime.

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Bridie Hulsebosch, MS

InDIRI MS Student 2019-2021

IPBS PhD Student 2021-2024

Hometown: Palatine, Illinois

BS: Environmental Science, Loyola University Chicago

MS: Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago

Visited the Sistine Chapel and thought it was just okay.