Daria Van Tyne, PhD
Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
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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.
Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
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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.
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.
Giuseppe (Peppe) Fleres, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Peppe grew up in Syracuse, Italy, and earned his Bachelors in Biology and Masters in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Catania, Italy. He then completed his PhD in Medical Microbiology at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellow, where he applied next-generation sequencing technologies to investigate antimicrobial resistance from a One Health perspective. In the Fall of 2021, he joined the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh as a Postdoctoral Associate. He joined Van Tyne Lab in Fall 2024. Outside of work, he is a true outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, biking, swimming and skiing.
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Peppe grew up in Syracuse, Italy, and earned his Bachelors in Biology and Masters in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Catania, Italy. He then completed his PhD in Medical Microbiology at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellow, where he applied next-generation sequencing technologies to investigate antimicrobial resistance from a One Health perspective. In the Fall of 2021, he joined the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh as a Postdoctoral Associate. He joined Van Tyne Lab in Fall 2024. Outside of work, he is a true outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, biking, swimming and skiing.
Justin Massey, MD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Justin grew up in Kansas City, KS and obtained a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Kansas (go Jayhawks). After completing a year of AmeriCorps service, he attended the University of Kansas Medical School before matching into pediatric residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital. After graduating residency in the summer of 2024, he started his fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at UPMC and joined the Van Tyne lab to learn about phage therapy. When not in the lab or in the hospital, he enjoys playing or watching tennis, cooking, and cycling.
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Justin grew up in Kansas City, KS and obtained a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Kansas (go Jayhawks). After completing a year of AmeriCorps service, he attended the University of Kansas Medical School before matching into pediatric residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital. After graduating residency in the summer of 2024, he started his fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at UPMC and joined the Van Tyne lab to learn about phage therapy. When not in the lab or in the hospital, he enjoys playing or watching tennis, cooking, and cycling.
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, 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.
Blake Jackson, B.S.
PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Blake grew up in Harpers Ferry, WV and earned a BS in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington. While at UW in the lab of Joseph Mougous, he studied Saccharibacteria, a group of understudied bacteria that engage in parasitism with their bacterial hosts. He joined the Van Tyne lab in Spring 2025 to study how phage therapy influences the susceptibility of clinical bacterial isolates over time. Outside of the lab, he likes spending time with friends, checking out local Pittsburgh breweries, and dutifully attending to his sourdough starter.
PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Blake grew up in Harpers Ferry, WV and earned a BS in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington. While at UW in the lab of Joseph Mougous, he studied Saccharibacteria, a group of understudied bacteria that engage in parasitism with their bacterial hosts. He joined the Van Tyne lab in Spring 2025 to study how phage therapy influences the susceptibility of clinical bacterial isolates over time. Outside of the lab, he likes spending time with friends, checking out local Pittsburgh breweries, and dutifully attending to his sourdough starter.
Renata DiDonato, B.S.
PSTP Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Renata is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and received her B.S. in Chemistry from Haverford College in 2019. After graduating, she worked in Dr. Timothy Yu’s lab at Boston Children’s Hospital developing personalized antisense oligonucleotide RNA modulating therapy for pediatric patients with rare neurodegenerative disorders. In 2022, Renata began her medical training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as part of the Physician Scientist Training Program. She rotated in the Van Tyne Lab in the summer of 2023 and is spending a year in the lab as part of her training working on various Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage therapy projects. Outside of the lab, Renata enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, trying new recipes and watching and playing sports.
PSTP Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Renata is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and received her B.S. in Chemistry from Haverford College in 2019. After graduating, she worked in Dr. Timothy Yu’s lab at Boston Children’s Hospital developing personalized antisense oligonucleotide RNA modulating therapy for pediatric patients with rare neurodegenerative disorders. In 2022, Renata began her medical training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as part of the Physician Scientist Training Program. She rotated in the Van Tyne Lab in the summer of 2023 and is spending a year in the lab as part of her training working on various Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage therapy projects. Outside of the lab, Renata enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, trying new recipes and watching and playing sports.
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.
Aurelien Bocquet, M.S.
Laboratory Specialist, Division of Infectious Diseases
Aurelien Grew up in Quercy, France and received his Bachelors degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from University of Montpellier, followed by a Masters degree in Biotechnology. After graduating, he worked at the Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS) on protein production and characterization in the lab of Pr. Roumestand and Dr. Declerck. He joined the Van Tyne lab in Fall 2024 to work on phage susceptibility testing and phage manufacturing. Outside the lab he loves hiking, watching movies, going out with friends, and listening to music.
Laboratory Specialist, Division of Infectious Diseases
Aurelien Grew up in Quercy, France and received his Bachelors degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from University of Montpellier, followed by a Masters degree in Biotechnology. After graduating, he worked at the Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS) on protein production and characterization in the lab of Pr. Roumestand and Dr. Declerck. He joined the Van Tyne lab in Fall 2024 to work on phage susceptibility testing and phage manufacturing. Outside the lab he loves hiking, watching movies, going out with friends, and listening to music.
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!
Lainey Beichner
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Lainey grew up in Youngstown, OH. She is currently on the pre-med track pursuing a B.S in Chemistry and a Certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. She is working on developing a MIC-type assay that could be used to simultaneously determine phage susceptibility and production applicability. When not in the lab, Lainey is a member of Pitt Dance Marathon, the American Medical Student Association, and an undergraduate teaching assistant. Outside of academics, she enjoys dancing, reading, and crocheting.
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Lainey grew up in Youngstown, OH. She is currently on the pre-med track pursuing a B.S in Chemistry and a Certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. She is working on developing a MIC-type assay that could be used to simultaneously determine phage susceptibility and production applicability. When not in the lab, Lainey is a member of Pitt Dance Marathon, the American Medical Student Association, and an undergraduate teaching assistant. Outside of academics, she enjoys dancing, reading, and crocheting.
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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
Shekina Gonzalez-Ferrer, 2019-2024
Shu-Ting Cho, 2020-2021
Abigail Lustig, 2020-2023
Madeleine Umstead, 2021-2023
Chetachukwu Obiwuma, 2022-2024
Sergei Elber-Dorozko, 2022-2024
Angel Eisenhuth, 2023-2024
Madison Stellfox, 2021-2024
Catherine Wynne, 2022-2025
Margaret Cassady, 2023-2025
Madison Moreland, 2024-2025
Gayatri Chilambi, 2018-2021
Daniel Evans, 2018-2020
Hayley Nordstrom, 2018-2022
Amanda Finney, 2018-2021
Kevin Westbrook, 2019-2022
Shekina Gonzalez-Ferrer, 2019-2024
Shu-Ting Cho, 2020-2021
Abigail Lustig, 2020-2023
Madeleine Umstead, 2021-2023
Chetachukwu Obiwuma, 2022-2024
Sergei Elber-Dorozko, 2022-2024
Angel Eisenhuth, 2023-2024
Madison Stellfox, 2021-2024
Catherine Wynne, 2022-2025
Margaret Cassady, 2023-2025
Madison Moreland, 2024-2025