Rachel N. WilseyEducation:
Baylor University, B.S. Biology
Background:
Rachel graduated from Baylor University in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. During her time at Baylor, Rachel studied CRISPR-Cas9 mutations affecting cell adhesion and migration in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Rachel joined the Honda Lab in August 2021 and moved with the lab to Texas from Colorado in April 2023. Rachel leads projects focusing on the environmental factors that contribute to NTM pulmonary disease. Her current projects focus on respiratory relevant NTM in the context of the Kīlauea volcano and other related natural disasters. In parallel, Rachel studies the human immune pathways that are implicated in the control of NTM infections, particularly after exposure to various environmental hazards. Rachel also spearheads all projects related to culturing NTM from various environmental samples and tests disinfection methods to reduce environmental exposures. In her free time, Rachel enjoys exploring local coffee shops, going thrift shopping, and hiking with her dog.
Tiana N. M. Koch
Research Associate
Tiana.Koch@UTTyler.edu
Education:
M.S Graduate Student, Department of Tropical Medicine
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
Oregon State University, B.S Biology
Background
Tiana was born and raised in Hawai’i and graduated from ‘Iolani School. She attended Oregon State University, participating in research on Pteridium aquilinum (bracken ferns) with Philip McFadden. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology, minor in Chemistry, and certificate in Medical Humanities, Tiana worked as a Research Assistant at Kaiser Permanente Hawai’i Region’s Center for Integrated Health Care Research, contributing to several research projects, which included her introduction to NTM with Dr. Honda. She is currently a graduate student in the Department of Tropical Medicine at the University of Hawai’i, Mānoa, John. A Burns School of Medicine and joined the Honda Lab in October 2023. Tiana is studying the efficacy of physical environmental interventions to reduce NTM exposures and other projects related to NTM in the context of cystic fibrosis. In her free time, Tiana enjoys staying active, traveling, and spending time with her friends, family and dogs, and anything ocean related.
Lianghao Ding, PhD
Bioinformatic Analyst
Lianghao.Ding@UTTyler.edu
Bio
Education:
Beijing Medical University, Bachelors of Medicine
Tohoku University School of Medicine, Japan, PhD, Medicine
Background:
Lianghao received his Bachelor of Medicine degree from the Beijing Medical University, PhD in Medicine from Tohoku University School of Medicine in Japan and has 10+ years of experience in next generation sequencing data analysis and genomics research. Before joining the Honda Lab, he was an active faculty member at UT Southwestern contributing to projects related to cancer genomics and computational biology. He joined the Honda Lab in Dec. 2023 and embarked on an exciting new venture into the study of NTM genomics. When he's not decoding genomes, you'll likely find him chilling out with some music or lost in a good book.
Kristin T. Dean
Research Associate
Kristin.Dean@UTTyler.edu
Bio
Education:
University of Texas, Tyler, B.S. Biology
University of Texas Health Science Center Tyler, M.S. Biomedical Technology
Background:
Kristin graduated from UT Tyler with her B.S. in Biology in May of 2018 and continued her education at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Tyler where she received her M.S. in biomedical technology in May 2020. Her Masters thesis focused on the identification of N-formylated peptides as neutrophilic chemotactic factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In June 2020, she began working in the field of NTM as a research associate. Kristin joined the Honda Lab in Feb. 2024 and continues mechanistic studies to elucidate the host-pathogen-environment interactions of NTM while being the lab’s expert in NTM nucleic acid extractions. In her free time, Kristin likes to explore her culinary talents as well as spend time with her husband and three children.
Madelyn M. Terrell
Research Associate
Madelyn.Terrell@uttyler.edu
Bio
Education:
Texas A&M University – Commerce, B.S. Biological Science
Background:
Madelyn graduated from Texas A&M University – Commerce in December 2023 with a B.S. degree in Biological Science. While there, she participated in research pertaining to the role of G1P3 protein in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. After completing an honors thesis and graduation, Madelyn began searching for a job in academic research. She joined the Honda Lab in early Feb. 2024 and assists in translational research related to understanding the diversity of NTM in varied environmental samples collected from across the nation. Moreover, she leads the lab’s studies related to NTM proteins and is elucidating the complexities of the amoeba-NTM relationship. In her free time, Madelyn enjoys jogging, painting birds, and reading horror novels.
Adrian J. Hornby, PhD
Staff Scientist
Adrian.Hornby@uttyler.edu
Bio
Education:
Royal Holloway, University of London, B.Sc (Hons)
University of Liverpool, PhD
Background:
Adrian graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London with a B.Sc. Geology in June 2011. His PhD dissertation focused on the brittle-ductile mechanics of lava dome eruptions, graduating with his degree in 2016 from the University of Liverpool. During his studies, Adrian contributed to projects investigating faulting, fracture and frictional melting textures and mechanics in magma, lava, and volcanic ash. For his postdoctoral fellowship, he investigated how fragmentation modes affect the chemistry and mineralogy of ash particle surfaces in Munich, Germany, followed by a postdoctoral position at Cornell University studying the global effects of explosive volcanism and bioleaching of ultramafic minerals. Adrian and his family moved to Tyler in March 2024 to join the Honda Lab. His current projects are to characterize and investigate the responses of NTM with aerosolized environmental soil, dust and ash samples. In his free time Adrian enjoys spending time with his wife and five children, brewing beer, and squeezing in some reading.
Adrián M. Almodóvar Irizarry
Lab Manager
Adrian.AlmodovarIrizarry@UTTyler.edu
Bio
Education:
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, B.S. Biology
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, M.S. Biotechnology
Background:
Adrián graduated from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico with a B.S. in Biology in June 2011 and from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a M.S. in Biotechnology in June 2013. While there, Adrián contributed to projects related to Musa balbisiana (plantain) micropropagation methods. After graduating, Adrián worked with AstraZeneca in their Operations Global Graduate Associate Programme. After moving to Tyler in 2015, he was introduced to the clinical side of NTM diagnosis and research. Following additional experiences in COVID-19 whole genome sequencing during the pandemic and working in the clinical setting as a lab supervisor, Adrián returned to Tyler and joined the Honda Lab in May 2024. His goal is to help accomplish the laboratory’s ongoing mission of understanding the environmental, host, and microbial factors that promote NTM proliferation and infection. In his free time Adrián enjoys bowling, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and trying new food places.
Riley M. Johnson
Lab Volunteer, UTT SOM Medical Student
Rjohnson59@patriots.uttyler.edu
Bio
Education:
Texas Tech University, B.S. Biology
Double Minors: Sociology and Chemistry
Background:
Riley is a current medical student in the University of Texas, Tyler School of Medicine Class of 2028. She belonged to the Texas Tech Mortar Board National Honor Society and graduated from Texas Tech University in May of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Her prior work experiences include contributions to a histology lab, working as a legal assistant, and being a leader in undergraduate mentoring in physics and chemistry. She is an East Texas native, and excited to begin volunteer research in the Honda Laboratory (starting July 2024). In her free time, Riley likes to run outside, read books, and play piano.