Daria Van Tyne, PhD
Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
Email Twitter
Daria grew up in Golden, Colorado, attended Vassar College as a Biochemistry major, and was a Fulbright Scholar in Spain for a year in between college and grad school. She completed her PhD at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in the lab of Dyann Wirth, followed by a post-doc in the lab of Mike Gilmore at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Daria joined the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in July, 2018. She lives with her family in Upper Baldwin, in a former convent that used to house over a dozen nuns.
Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
Email Twitter
Daria grew up in Golden, Colorado, attended Vassar College as a Biochemistry major, and was a Fulbright Scholar in Spain for a year in between college and grad school. She completed her PhD at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in the lab of Dyann Wirth, followed by a post-doc in the lab of Mike Gilmore at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Daria joined the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in July, 2018. She lives with her family in Upper Baldwin, in a former convent that used to house over a dozen nuns.
Madison Stellfox, MD, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Madison (Maddy) is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and excited to be back in her hometown! She received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Grove City College, and then went on to pursue her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Virginia. There she worked in the laboratory of Daniel Foltz, PhD, studying the epigenetics of the human centromere. After completing her dissertation, she then attended medical school at New York Medical College and graduated with her M.D. in 2018. She returned to Pittsburgh to complete her residency training in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Infectious Diseases at UPMC. She joined the Van Tyne lab in the summer of 2021 to study the evolution of vancomycin-resistant enterococci during treatment failure. When not pipetting or streaking plates, you can find her cooking, valiantly struggling to learn Spanish or binging Netflix.
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Madison (Maddy) is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and excited to be back in her hometown! She received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Grove City College, and then went on to pursue her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Virginia. There she worked in the laboratory of Daniel Foltz, PhD, studying the epigenetics of the human centromere. After completing her dissertation, she then attended medical school at New York Medical College and graduated with her M.D. in 2018. She returned to Pittsburgh to complete her residency training in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Infectious Diseases at UPMC. She joined the Van Tyne lab in the summer of 2021 to study the evolution of vancomycin-resistant enterococci during treatment failure. When not pipetting or streaking plates, you can find her cooking, valiantly struggling to learn Spanish or binging Netflix.
Adeline Supandy, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Adeline grew up in Indonesia and received her Bachelors in Biochemistry from University of Texas at Austin. She went on to pursue her PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Rice University where she worked in the lab of Dr. Yousif Shamoo to explore the use of experimental evolution to study antibiotic resistance and discovery. After completing her dissertation, Adeline joined the Van Tyne lab in the Summer of 2023. Outside the lab, Adeline enjoys reading fiction novels, knitting, watching TV, and exploring the restaurants in Pittsburgh.
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Adeline grew up in Indonesia and received her Bachelors in Biochemistry from University of Texas at Austin. She went on to pursue her PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Rice University where she worked in the lab of Dr. Yousif Shamoo to explore the use of experimental evolution to study antibiotic resistance and discovery. After completing her dissertation, Adeline joined the Van Tyne lab in the Summer of 2023. Outside the lab, Adeline enjoys reading fiction novels, knitting, watching TV, and exploring the restaurants in Pittsburgh.
Shekina Gonzalez-Ferrer, B.S.
PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Shekina is from Moca, Puerto Rico and received her B.S. in Industrial Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez in 2018, where she researched how fungi can degrade oil. Prior to grad school, she joined an NIH-PREP program at Case Western Reserve University, where she studied the pharmacologic inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii. She then went onto pursue PhD training in the Program of Microbiology and Immunology here at the University of Pittsburgh. Shekina is co-mentored by Dr. Daria Van Tyne and Dr. Janet Lee and is working on a thesis project involving host-pathogen interactions focused on Klebsiella pneumoniae. Specifically, she is looking at how K. pneumoniae pulmonary infection disrupts immune signaling pathways through STAT1 during challenges of excess heme. In her spare time, Shekina enjoys baking, exploring new Latin food spots, and reminiscing about dogs.
PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Shekina is from Moca, Puerto Rico and received her B.S. in Industrial Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez in 2018, where she researched how fungi can degrade oil. Prior to grad school, she joined an NIH-PREP program at Case Western Reserve University, where she studied the pharmacologic inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii. She then went onto pursue PhD training in the Program of Microbiology and Immunology here at the University of Pittsburgh. Shekina is co-mentored by Dr. Daria Van Tyne and Dr. Janet Lee and is working on a thesis project involving host-pathogen interactions focused on Klebsiella pneumoniae. Specifically, she is looking at how K. pneumoniae pulmonary infection disrupts immune signaling pathways through STAT1 during challenges of excess heme. In her spare time, Shekina enjoys baking, exploring new Latin food spots, and reminiscing about dogs.
Nathalie Chen, B.S.
MD/PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Nathalie is from Reno, Nevada and received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University in 2018. After graduating, she worked as an IRTA postbac at the NIH in the lab of Drs. Anthony Fauci, James Arthos, and Claudia Cicala, studying how HIV and ⍺4β7 interact. She then entered the MSTP at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and joined the Van Tyne lab in 2022. Outside of the lab, Nathalie enjoys cooking, watching tv, reading, and tending to her plants.
MD/PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Nathalie is from Reno, Nevada and received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University in 2018. After graduating, she worked as an IRTA postbac at the NIH in the lab of Drs. Anthony Fauci, James Arthos, and Claudia Cicala, studying how HIV and ⍺4β7 interact. She then entered the MSTP at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and joined the Van Tyne lab in 2022. Outside of the lab, Nathalie enjoys cooking, watching tv, reading, and tending to her plants.
Emma Mills, B.S.
PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Emma grew up in the State College area and received her Bachelors in Immunology and Infectious Disease from The Pennsylvania State University. There, she was guided by Dr. Jasna Kovac in characterizing the relationship between phenotypic and genotypic resistance of the foodborne pathogen Bacillus cereus. After graduation, she did a 2-year ORISE Bioinformatics Fellowship with the Multidrug-Resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN) at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Maryland. There, she performed patient transmission surveillance of hospital-associated pathogens for military treatment facilities in the United States and overseas. Emma has continued her interest in genomic epidemiology through joining the Van Tyne lab in Spring 2023. Here, she focuses on the population dynamics of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium within the UPMC healthcare system. Emma loves to go on adventures with her husband and her two doodle dogs, Murphy and Moose.
PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Emma grew up in the State College area and received her Bachelors in Immunology and Infectious Disease from The Pennsylvania State University. There, she was guided by Dr. Jasna Kovac in characterizing the relationship between phenotypic and genotypic resistance of the foodborne pathogen Bacillus cereus. After graduation, she did a 2-year ORISE Bioinformatics Fellowship with the Multidrug-Resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN) at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Maryland. There, she performed patient transmission surveillance of hospital-associated pathogens for military treatment facilities in the United States and overseas. Emma has continued her interest in genomic epidemiology through joining the Van Tyne lab in Spring 2023. Here, she focuses on the population dynamics of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium within the UPMC healthcare system. Emma loves to go on adventures with her husband and her two doodle dogs, Murphy and Moose.
Eric Evans, B.S., MPH
PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Eric completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Japanese at Brigham Young University and obtained his MPH from Emory University with a focus in Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology. Following his MPH, he spent a year working for the Georgia Emerging Infections Program and another year working as a fellow for the Division of Viral Diseases at CDC. He has always been interested in combining molecular methods with epidemiology to increase the impact of public health interventions, especially when it relates to bacteria and antibiotic resistance. He loves obstacle course racing, soccer, and singing. He lives in Bloomfield with his wife and two rambunctious sons.
PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Eric completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Japanese at Brigham Young University and obtained his MPH from Emory University with a focus in Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology. Following his MPH, he spent a year working for the Georgia Emerging Infections Program and another year working as a fellow for the Division of Viral Diseases at CDC. He has always been interested in combining molecular methods with epidemiology to increase the impact of public health interventions, especially when it relates to bacteria and antibiotic resistance. He loves obstacle course racing, soccer, and singing. He lives in Bloomfield with his wife and two rambunctious sons.
Yanhong Li, B.S.
MD/PhD Student, Tsinghua University School of Medicine
Yanhong grew up in Yunnan Province, China. She is pursuing an MD/PhD from Tsinghua University in Beijing and joined the Van Tyne lab as a visiting scholar in October 2022 to receive scientific research training. Yanhong is studying the genomic and phenotypic features of Enterococcus faecalis collected from patients with infective endocarditis. Outside of the lab, she likes traveling and watching various shows with her friends. She also likes to read history books and poetry.
MD/PhD Student, Tsinghua University School of Medicine
Yanhong grew up in Yunnan Province, China. She is pursuing an MD/PhD from Tsinghua University in Beijing and joined the Van Tyne lab as a visiting scholar in October 2022 to receive scientific research training. Yanhong is studying the genomic and phenotypic features of Enterococcus faecalis collected from patients with infective endocarditis. Outside of the lab, she likes traveling and watching various shows with her friends. She also likes to read history books and poetry.
Jakobi Deslouches, B.S.
Post-baccalaureate Scholar, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Jakobi grew up here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He obtained his B.S. in Microbiology with a statistics minor from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2023, where he researched the use of nanohydrogel-lipoprotein drug delivery systems as novel therapeutics to combat brain cancer during his time as a Gemstone Honors Program Scholar. He has a strong interest in researching novel methods to combat infectious disease, as well as in biostatistics and using math to model biological systems. He hopes to obtain a PhD studying microbiology. While not in lab, Jakobi enjoys playing piano, skateboarding, painting, cooking, making music, exploring nature, going to concerts, and exploring the hidden gems of Pittsburgh.
Post-baccalaureate Scholar, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Jakobi grew up here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He obtained his B.S. in Microbiology with a statistics minor from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2023, where he researched the use of nanohydrogel-lipoprotein drug delivery systems as novel therapeutics to combat brain cancer during his time as a Gemstone Honors Program Scholar. He has a strong interest in researching novel methods to combat infectious disease, as well as in biostatistics and using math to model biological systems. He hopes to obtain a PhD studying microbiology. While not in lab, Jakobi enjoys playing piano, skateboarding, painting, cooking, making music, exploring nature, going to concerts, and exploring the hidden gems of Pittsburgh.
Nathan Wallace, B.S.
Laboratory Specialist, Division of Infectious Diseases
Nathan grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Biological Sciences in 2021. His prior research experiences focused on genetic engineering of altered bacteriophage as a teaching assistant. In the lab Nathan's work focuses on bacteriophage and antibiotic synergy in treatment of opportunistic infections. Outside of the lab, Nathan enjoys hiking, kayaking, camping, and cooking for friends.
Laboratory Specialist, Division of Infectious Diseases
Nathan grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Biological Sciences in 2021. His prior research experiences focused on genetic engineering of altered bacteriophage as a teaching assistant. In the lab Nathan's work focuses on bacteriophage and antibiotic synergy in treatment of opportunistic infections. Outside of the lab, Nathan enjoys hiking, kayaking, camping, and cooking for friends.
Kirsten Evans, B.S.
Laboratory Specialist, Division of Infectious Diseases
Kirsten grew up west of Philadelphia in Limerick, Pennsylvania and graduated with a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. She is interested in the community relationships between antibiotic resistant bacteria. In the lab Kirsten is helping to understand the evolution of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Outside of the lab Kirsten enjoys playing field hockey, reading books, binging Netflix, and petting animals.
Laboratory Specialist, Division of Infectious Diseases
Kirsten grew up west of Philadelphia in Limerick, Pennsylvania and graduated with a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. She is interested in the community relationships between antibiotic resistant bacteria. In the lab Kirsten is helping to understand the evolution of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Outside of the lab Kirsten enjoys playing field hockey, reading books, binging Netflix, and petting animals.
Sergei Elber Dorozko, MD
Visiting Research Fellow, Division of Infectious Diseases
Sergei grew up in Jerusalem, Israel. He attended medical school at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and graduated with an M.D in 2019. He is currently half-way through his pediatric residency at Hadassah Mt. Scopus hospital in Israel, where he did clinical research on pediatric infectious disease and fetal alcohol syndrome. He took a year off from his training and moved to Pittsburgh to conduct bacteriophage research for treatment of chronic and antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas infections. Outside the lab he enjoys traveling and dancing with his family, reading science fiction and rock-climbing.
Visiting Research Fellow, Division of Infectious Diseases
Sergei grew up in Jerusalem, Israel. He attended medical school at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and graduated with an M.D in 2019. He is currently half-way through his pediatric residency at Hadassah Mt. Scopus hospital in Israel, where he did clinical research on pediatric infectious disease and fetal alcohol syndrome. He took a year off from his training and moved to Pittsburgh to conduct bacteriophage research for treatment of chronic and antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas infections. Outside the lab he enjoys traveling and dancing with his family, reading science fiction and rock-climbing.
Chetachukwu Obiwuma
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Chet was born in Nigeria and moved to Washington, DC in 2008. She is pursuing a BS in Molecular Biology on the Biochemistry track at the University of Pittsburgh. Chet is interested in molecular pathways and how genetic mutations can change those pathways. Outside of academics, she is interested in advocacy work, especially for the advancement of minority communities. She currently volunteers through the Black Action Society, which aids in creating a more comfortable experience for black college students in the University of Pittsburgh.
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Chet was born in Nigeria and moved to Washington, DC in 2008. She is pursuing a BS in Molecular Biology on the Biochemistry track at the University of Pittsburgh. Chet is interested in molecular pathways and how genetic mutations can change those pathways. Outside of academics, she is interested in advocacy work, especially for the advancement of minority communities. She currently volunteers through the Black Action Society, which aids in creating a more comfortable experience for black college students in the University of Pittsburgh.
Catherine Wynne
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Catherine grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. She is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology as well as minors in Chemistry and Archeology, in addition to a Conceptual Foundations of Medicine Certificate at the University of Pittsburgh. She enjoys learning about all aspects of infectious disease and is particularly interested in bacteriophages as a treatment for multidrug-resistant infections. When not in the lab, Catherine is on the board of the Pitt Women in Research Club and volunteers as a therapy dog handler. Outside of school, she loves trying new food around Pittsburgh, baking, and swimming.
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Catherine grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. She is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology as well as minors in Chemistry and Archeology, in addition to a Conceptual Foundations of Medicine Certificate at the University of Pittsburgh. She enjoys learning about all aspects of infectious disease and is particularly interested in bacteriophages as a treatment for multidrug-resistant infections. When not in the lab, Catherine is on the board of the Pitt Women in Research Club and volunteers as a therapy dog handler. Outside of school, she loves trying new food around Pittsburgh, baking, and swimming.
Sarika Bapat
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Sarika grew up in Princeton, New Jersey and is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology, with minors in Chemistry and Applied Statistics, and a certificate in Global Health. She is passionate about microbiology research related to infectious diseases, and its translation to public health outcomes. Outside of the lab, Sarika is on the board for a tutoring organization known as Breakthrough as well as SASA, a South Asian student association. She is also part of a pre-health fraternity, Delta Epsilon Mu. Sarika also enjoys dancing, painting, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends!
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Sarika grew up in Princeton, New Jersey and is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology, with minors in Chemistry and Applied Statistics, and a certificate in Global Health. She is passionate about microbiology research related to infectious diseases, and its translation to public health outcomes. Outside of the lab, Sarika is on the board for a tutoring organization known as Breakthrough as well as SASA, a South Asian student association. She is also part of a pre-health fraternity, Delta Epsilon Mu. Sarika also enjoys dancing, painting, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends!
Margaret Cassady
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Maggie grew up in New City, NY. She is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology and a minor in Chemistry, along with an Undergraduate Global Health Certificate at the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently investigating host-pathogen interactions with Klebsiella pneumoniae. When not in the lab, Maggie is the President of the Circle K Club, where she and other club members are involved in community service in and around the Pittsburgh area. In her free time, Maggie loves baking, listening to music, and keeping up her Duolingo streak (she’s currently learning Spanish).
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Maggie grew up in New City, NY. She is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology and a minor in Chemistry, along with an Undergraduate Global Health Certificate at the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently investigating host-pathogen interactions with Klebsiella pneumoniae. When not in the lab, Maggie is the President of the Circle K Club, where she and other club members are involved in community service in and around the Pittsburgh area. In her free time, Maggie loves baking, listening to music, and keeping up her Duolingo streak (she’s currently learning Spanish).
|
JOIN US!
Consider applying to join us if you are interested in understanding how bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics and immune defenses within the human host, using comparative microbial genomics and functional, wet lab approaches. Post-docs with a clear idea of what they want to study, and a plan for pursuing funding opportunities that are available to them, should send a single PDF file containing a cover letter, CV, and contact information for at least two references, to [email protected]. Pitt students and fellows interested in joining the lab should contact Daria directly, or stop by her office on the 10th floor of BST. |
Van Tyne Lab Alumni
Gayatri Chilambi, 2018-2021
Daniel Evans, 2018-2020
Hayley Nordstrom, 2018-2022
Amanda Finney, 2018-2021
Kevin Westbrook, 2019-2022
Shu-Ting Cho, 2020-2021
Abigail Lustig, 2020-2023
Madeleine Umstead, 2021-2023
Gayatri Chilambi, 2018-2021
Daniel Evans, 2018-2020
Hayley Nordstrom, 2018-2022
Amanda Finney, 2018-2021
Kevin Westbrook, 2019-2022
Shu-Ting Cho, 2020-2021
Abigail Lustig, 2020-2023
Madeleine Umstead, 2021-2023