Personnel

Photo of Dr. James Moroney in the lab posing with plates of C. reinhardtii

Dr. James Moroney - Principal Investigator

Email: btmoro@lsu.edu

Jim Moroney earned his PhD in Biochemistry from Cornell University working with Dr. Richard E. McCarty. His PhD work was on the structure and function of the chloroplast ATP synthase. He did his postdoctoral work in the laboratory of Dr. N.E. Tolbert in the Biochemistry Department at Michigan State University. He worked on photorespiration in algae but also began work on the CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. He has continued to work on the CCM and C. reinhardtii since joining the faculty of Louisiana State University.

Headshot of Dr. David Longstreth smilingDr. David Longstreth - Collaborating Professor

Email: btlong@lsu.edu

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Isaiah Pabuayon (Joined in Spring 2022) - Postdoctoral Researcher

Email: ipabuayon@lsu.edu

Isaiah earned his bachelor's degree in biology-genetics from the University of the Philippines - Los Baños. He later went on to earn his doctorate degree in plant and soil science from Texas Tech University before doing his postdoc there as well. His work in this lab explores the effects of inserting different algal CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) components into plants to see if and how they will improve photosynthetic efficiency.

Photo of Hiruni Weerasooriya smiling in front of a building on LSU campus

Hiruni Weerasooriya (Joined in Spring 2018) - Graduate Student

Email: hweera1@lsu.edu

Hiruni majored in Plant Sciences at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. She joined the LSU Biology graduate program in January 2018. She is currently working on characterizing the carbonic anhydrases in higher plants. She enjoys reading which helps her grow as a person, expanding her views on life.


Undergraduate Researchers

Faith standing and smiling Faith Loh

Faith is a biochemistry major on the Pre-Med track. She joined the lab fall semester of 2021 and is currently working on an honors thesis focusing on the role of LCIC in yeast and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. During her free time, Faith enjoys journaling, working out, and planning new experiences for future travelling.

Headshot of Brittany smilingBrittany Cassel

Brittany joined the lab in January 2022 and majors in Biology with a minor in Business with the goal of going to medical school. She enjoys meeting new people and going on adventures.

Photo of Jacob smiling in snow next to a snowboardJacob Nguyen

Jacob joined the lab in the summer of 2022 and majors in biochemistry on the Pre-Med track with a focus in dermatology. In his free time, he enjoys perusing vintage clothing stores and visiting local coffee shops.


Former Lab Members

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Remmy Kasili (2023)

Currently an assistant Professor at Southern University

Ashwani smiling

Ashwani Rai (2022)

Currently a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University

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Viviana Rosati (2021)

Currently working as a KTP Associate with the University of York and Tozer Seeds

 

Headshot of Ananya smilingAnanya Mukherjee (2019)

Currently an assistant professor at Azim Premji University

Headshot of Robert smilingRobert DiMario (2016)

Currently a scientist at Plantible Biofoods

Bratati smiling and holding a koala

Bratati Mukherjee (2013)

Currently at IIT Mumbai

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Bingbing Ma (2012)

Currently a postdoc at Rutgers University

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Kristy Brumfield (2009)

Currently at Xavier University

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Ruby Ynalvez (2007)

Currently at Texas A&M International University

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James Adams (2004)

Currently at Invitrogen

 

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Steve Pollock (2003)

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Mou Mitra (2003)

Currently an associate professor at University of West Georgia

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Aravind Somanchi (1998)

Currently a senior scientist at Syngenta

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Zhi-Yuan Chen (1996)

Currently at Louisiana State University, Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology

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Mamta Rawat (1994)

Currently at Fresno State

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Baran Tural (M.S. 2005)

Postdoc

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Marylou Machingura

Currently at Armstrong University, Athens

 

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Joana Bajsa-Hirschel

Currently at Mississippi State as a researcher

Photo of Nadine Jungnick using a PCR machine

Nadine Jungnick

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Sergio Colombo

Mark Burrow

Currently at Texas A&M Lubbock, TX

 


Former Research Associates/Lab Managers

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Lilly LaPlace (2023)

Headshot of Susan LabordeSusan Laborde (2016)

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Cathy Mason (2007)

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Tiffany Simms Lindsey (2010)


Former Undergraduates

Headshot of Victoria smilingVictoria Filloon

Currently at LSUHSC-Shreveport getting her PhD in Immunology

Timothy Chen

Currently at University of Illinois getting his PhD

Headshot of Ashleigh smilingAshleigh Brindle

Undergraduate worker Kayla in the lab holding plates

Kayla Schwartzenburg

Undergraduate worker Anna in the lab using a pippette

Anna Devall

Undergraduate worker Andrew in a lab coat holding a metal tank

Andrew Bratton

Undergraduate worker Rebecca smiling in front of a body of water

Rebecca Degeneres

Photo of Jimmy Mickler in the lab holding a pippetteJimmy Mickler (2018)

Currently at LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans

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Camille Prejean (2017)

Currently at LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans

Headshot of Madelinn Fink smilingMadelinn R Fink

Currently at LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans

Photo of Josh Schwartzenburg in the lab holding a pippette over a gel electrophoresis tankJosh Schwartzenburg

Currently at LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans

Photo of Jennifer Quebedeaux working in the laminar flow hood, holding a pippetteJennifer Quebedeuax (2015)

Currently a gradute student in Illinois

Photo of DJ Speed smilingDJ Speed (2015)

Currently a graduate student in Chicago

Photo of Julie Cronan smiling in a patch of grass with a dogJulie Cronan (2013)

Currently a med student in New Orleans

Photo of Emilie Saunee watering plants in the growth chamber

Emilie Saunee (2013)

Photo of Molly Lonergan in the lab using a pippette

Molly Lonergan(2013)

Photo of Kristen Bice in the lab holding a pippette over a gel electrophoresis tank

Kristen Bice (2012)

Currently at LSU Health Sciences Center Medical School in New Orleans

Photo of Michael Sonnier in the lab looking at plates

Michael Sonnier (2012)

Currently at LSU Health Sciences Center Medical School in New Orleans

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Wes Frey (2010)

Postdoc in Cold Spring Harbor

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Kate Fusilier (2010)

Currently at LSU Health Sciences Center Medical School in New Orleans

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Rachel Yates (2010)

Currently Working for Chevron

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Hoa Bui (2009)

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Monica Hartman (2009)

Currently attending ULM College of Pharmacy

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Trang Pham (2009)

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Lauren Chauvin (2007)

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Megan Hartman (2008)

Currently at LSU Health Sciences Center Medical School in New Orleans

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Ayana Ward

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Natosha Allen

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Khrishen Cunnusamy

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Ashley

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Davey

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Lacey

Headshot of Laura smilingLaura

Headshot of Michael McCormickMichael McCormick

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Scott Lato