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
Email Bluesky Google Scholar
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.
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.
Beth Ottosen, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Beth grew up in the Detroit area. She received her Bachelors in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Michigan, where she worked as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Harry Mobley’s lab studying multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii pathogenesis. She completed her PhD at Michigan State University in the lab of Dr. Vic DiRita, where she studied the mechanisms by which carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter hormaechei colonizes the gut and causes bloodstream infections. Beth joined the Van Tyne lab in early 2026 where she is excited to continue to study opportunistic, hospital-associated pathogens. Outside of the lab, Beth enjoys playing soccer, crafting, cooking, and exploring Pittsburgh.
Postdoctoral Scholar, Division of Infectious Diseases
Beth grew up in the Detroit area. She received her Bachelors in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Michigan, where she worked as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Harry Mobley’s lab studying multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii pathogenesis. She completed her PhD at Michigan State University in the lab of Dr. Vic DiRita, where she studied the mechanisms by which carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter hormaechei colonizes the gut and causes bloodstream infections. Beth joined the Van Tyne lab in early 2026 where she is excited to continue to study opportunistic, hospital-associated pathogens. Outside of the lab, Beth enjoys playing soccer, crafting, cooking, and exploring Pittsburgh.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shreya Desai
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Shreya grew up in Sayreville, NJ, and is pursuing a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. In the lab, she is working with Klebsiella pneumoniae to isolate phage-resistant strains and use MIC assays to compare antibiotic resistance with phage resistance. Outside of the lab, Shreya is an undergraduate teaching assistant, and in her free time she enjoys drawing, reading, swimming, and watching movies.
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Shreya grew up in Sayreville, NJ, and is pursuing a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. In the lab, she is working with Klebsiella pneumoniae to isolate phage-resistant strains and use MIC assays to compare antibiotic resistance with phage resistance. Outside of the lab, Shreya is an undergraduate teaching assistant, and in her free time she enjoys drawing, reading, swimming, and watching movies.
Dominic Granata
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Dominic is from North Huntingdon, PA. He is currently a Biological Sciences major with a Chemistry minor at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. He is interested in earning an MD/PhD and pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine coupled with research. He is currently isolating new Acinetobacter baumannii bacteriophages while working with previously discovered A. baumannii phages. When not in the lab, you can find him playing video games, roaming Pittsburgh, cooking, or hanging out with his friends.
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Dominic is from North Huntingdon, PA. He is currently a Biological Sciences major with a Chemistry minor at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. He is interested in earning an MD/PhD and pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine coupled with research. He is currently isolating new Acinetobacter baumannii bacteriophages while working with previously discovered A. baumannii phages. When not in the lab, you can find him playing video games, roaming Pittsburgh, cooking, or hanging out with his friends.
Julia McAndrew
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Julia is from Loretto, PA. She is a Microbiology major with a Chemistry minor and a Certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine, and is interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Julia is working on identifying clinically useful bacteriophages to combat Enterococcus faecium infections. When she is not pipetting or reading scientific articles, Julia participates in Street Medicine, Artificial, Global Medical Brigades, and Helping Hands. In her free time, Julia enjoys painting, hiking, reading, cooking, and cuddling with her cat, Honey.
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Julia is from Loretto, PA. She is a Microbiology major with a Chemistry minor and a Certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine, and is interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Julia is working on identifying clinically useful bacteriophages to combat Enterococcus faecium infections. When she is not pipetting or reading scientific articles, Julia participates in Street Medicine, Artificial, Global Medical Brigades, and Helping Hands. In her free time, Julia enjoys painting, hiking, reading, cooking, and cuddling with her cat, Honey.
Kate McManus
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Kate grew up in the DC area, and is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology and International Studies, minors in Chemistry and History, and a certificate in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. In the lab, she is investigating host-pathogen interactions with Klebsiella pneumoniae. In her free time, she likes to read, hike, and spend time with family and friends.
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Kate grew up in the DC area, and is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology and International Studies, minors in Chemistry and History, and a certificate in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. In the lab, she is investigating host-pathogen interactions with Klebsiella pneumoniae. In her free time, she likes to read, hike, and spend time with family and friends.
Samantha Walker
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Samantha grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. She is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology, with minors in Chemistry and Economics. In the lab, Samantha is working to identify Pseudomonas aeruginosa genes that influence phage and antibiotic susceptibility. When not in the lab, she is a member of the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band and the band service fraternity, Mu Kappa Upsilon. Samantha also enjoys reading, doing puzzles, and learning new animal facts.
Undergraduate Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Samantha grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. She is pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology, with minors in Chemistry and Economics. In the lab, Samantha is working to identify Pseudomonas aeruginosa genes that influence phage and antibiotic susceptibility. When not in the lab, she is a member of the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band and the band service fraternity, Mu Kappa Upsilon. Samantha also enjoys reading, doing puzzles, and learning new animal facts.
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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
Madison Stellfox, 2021-2024
Chetachukwu Obiwuma, 2022-2024
Sergei Elber-Dorozko, 2022-2024
Yanhong Li, 2022-2025
Angel Eisenhuth, 2023-2024
Catherine Wynne, 2022-2025
Margaret Cassady, 2023-2025
Jakobi Deslouches, 2023-2025
Aurelien Bocquet, 2024-2025
Giuseppe Fleres, 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
Madison Stellfox, 2021-2024
Chetachukwu Obiwuma, 2022-2024
Sergei Elber-Dorozko, 2022-2024
Yanhong Li, 2022-2025
Angel Eisenhuth, 2023-2024
Catherine Wynne, 2022-2025
Margaret Cassady, 2023-2025
Jakobi Deslouches, 2023-2025
Aurelien Bocquet, 2024-2025
Giuseppe Fleres, 2024-2025