Principal Investigator
SeYeon Chung, Ph.D.
I obtained my B.S. (Microbiology), M.S. (Biological Sciences) and Ph.D. (Biological Sciences) all from Seoul National University in Korea (advisor: Dr. Jeongbin Yim). During my graduate training, I studied planar cell polarity in Drosophila. I collaborated with Dr. Paul Adler at UVA and was a visiting student in his lab for about a year. After graduation, I did my postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with Dr. Debbie Andrew, where I started working on tubular organ formation during development. I joined the LSU Biology faculty in the fall of 2017 and am currently an Associate Professor. I enjoy yoga, pilates, and running.
Graduate Students
Debbie Obadofin
I graduated from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria with a B.S. in Pure and Applied Biology in June 2021. I had over 1 year of research and work experience at the Molecular Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, University of Ilorin, where I sharpened my scientific knowledge and research skills in cellular and molecular biology. I joined the Chung lab as a Ph.D. student with a strong interest in developmental biology and I hope to apply my knowledge and research findings to improve medical and healthcare globally.
Elizabeth Tayolor
I graduated from the University of North Georgia with a B.S. in Biology in May 2025. I spent several years as an undergraduate researching hoverfly histology and Hox genes in Medaka. I joined the Chung Lab as a Ph.D. student to continue research in developmental biology and tissue morphogenesis. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading, music, and drawing.
Undergraduate Students
Ben Almond (Honors Thesis)
I am a Baton Rouge native and pre-medical student graduating in May 2026 majoring in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry. I am interested in understanding mechanisms of differential gene expression and how they impact development. I hope to apply my knowledge to help better treatment of congenital heart defects and neurodevelopmental disorders. In my personal time, I can be seen playing my guitar, running on the levee, or cooking a nice meal!
Huy Tran
I was born in Vietnam and moved to New Orleans when I was seven years old. I am a Biological Sciences student graduating in May 2027 with interests in medicine and research. I am especially interested in the molecular aspects of developmental biology and look forward to gaining hands-on lab experience. When I am not studying, I enjoy playing pickleball and watching movies.
Mokshit Konda
I am Mokshit Reddy Konda, a Biological Sciences major on the Pre-Med track at Louisiana
State University. I was born in India, but I moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, from Connecticut
at 9 years old. I am passionate about learning and exploring my interests in both
medicine and the everyday aspects of science. I enjoy connecting with people and contributing
to my community in meaningful ways while enjoying beach volleyball in my free time
with my friends.
Alumni
Postdocs
Thao Phuong Le (Jan 2018-May 2024) - Digital Business mentor
Research Associate
Matt Green (Oct 2024-August 2025)
Graduate Students
Jeffrey Matthew, Ph.D. (Jan 2020-May 2025) - Postdoctoral fellow at the Rompalos lab at Universy of Pennsylvania
Vishakha Vishwakarma, Ph.D. (Aug 2018-Dec 2023) - Postdoctoral fellow at the Weinstein lab at NIH
Charlotte Adams, M.S. (Aug 2021-Dec 2023) - Research Specialist at the Brain Organoid Hub at Emory University
Honors Thesis Students
Cailyn Lee (May 2024-May 2025) - Master's Program at Tufts University
Jared Rodrigue (Aug 2022-May 2024; Distinguished Researcher)- Graduate School at Brown University
James (Luke) Woodward (Jan 2021-Dec 2023; LSU Discover Grant) - Graduate School at the University of Chicago
Zahra Naeini (Jan 2020-May 2023; Distinguished Researcher; LSU Discover Grant) - LSU New Orleans Medical School
Ryan Asgunod (Jan 2019-May 2020; Distinguished Researcher) - LSU Shreveport Medical School
Samantha Vercher (Sep 2018-May 2020) - LSUHSC School of Nursing
Undergraduate Research Assistants (Non-Thesis)
Maggie Wheat (June 2024-May 2025)
Reem Qayssar (May 2023-May 2025)
Daniella Manilla (Jan 2024-May 2024)
Noah LaBruyere (Nov 2023-Jan 2024)
Sarah Kelley (May 2023-Jan 2024)
Hannah Dickerson (May 2023-July 2023)
Steven Young (Jan 2023-Mar 2023)
Faiz Baloch (Jan 2022-May 2022)
Jacob Moreland (Jan 2021-Dec 2021)
Charlotte Adams (Mar 2019-May 2021)
Isabella Labruzzo (Sep 2018-May 2021; LSU Discover Grant) - LSU Shreveport Medical School
Alyssa Lobello (May 2018-May 2020; LSU Discover Grant) - LSU Shreveport Medical School
Nicole Catalano (May 2018-May 2020)
Majd Al-Falah (Oct 2018-May 2019)
Lauren Hall (Sep 2017-Nov 2018)
Alexis Blackwell (Mar 2018-July 2018)
Heather Duplessis (Jan 2018-May 2018)
Youngone Kim (Sep 2017-Feb 2018)