Megan started her research career as a chemist and performed her bachelor research project in physical chemistry on the “sweating space shuttle effect”. She then moved into studying viruses and obtained her PhD from Brown University. At Brown, she worked in the lab of Dr. Walter Atwood and studied the human polyomaviruses JCV and BKV. Megan performed a first post-doc at Harvard Medical School in the lab of Dr. Sean Whelan. During this post-doc, Megan evaluated VSV entry and fusion using advanced microscopy techniques. In 2012, Megan moved to the University Hospital Heidelberg and shifted her focus to studying enteric viruses and how human intestinal epithelial cells combat them. In 2022, Megan moved to the University of Florida to start her own lab. When not in the lab, she spends her free time chasing after her two highly energetic children.

Yagmur received her B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Bilkent University, Turkey in 2019. Then, she completed her M.Sc. degree in the Molecular Biosciences Master program – Major in Cellular and Molecular Biology at Heidelberg University, Germany in 2021. Just after her master program, she joined the Stanifer Lab as a Ph.D. student in late 2021. Her research is focused on similarities and differences of type III interferon signaling at mucosal surfaces during the epithelium immune homeostasis and antiviral responses.

James is a University of Florida graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Cell Science. Having a diverse background from plants and animals to bacteria and organoids, he likes to take a holistic view of biology and combine the micro and macro pictures.

Asher was born and raised in the Chicagoland area in Illinois. He is an undergraduate at UF, majoring in Biology and minoring in Business Administration on the Pre-med track. Outside of the lab, Asher enjoys playing baseball, going to the gym, cooking, and playing piano.

Sena graduated from Bilkent University, Turkey, in August 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics. After graduating, she worked at a Biotech startup for a year and then joined the Stanifer lab in September 2023. In her free time, she enjoys biking, hiking, and dancing bachata.

Chris was born and raised in Miami, Florida where he attended Florida International University and completed his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with a minor in biology. After graduating in 2021, he joined the Ghedin Research Group at NIAID and studied SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology and the role of the Brugia malayi secretome on the lymphatic system. He joined the Boulanifer lab in 2024 to complete his PhD portion of his MD/PhD. His research will focus on comparing the role of interferons in different mucosal surfaces and how that regulates viral tropism amongst different tissues. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, cooking, and reading.

Born and raised in sunny South Florida, Justin is a first year Microbiology and Cell Sciences & Family, Youth, and Community Sciences major on the pre-medical track, with minors in educational sciences and health disparities in society! In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, spending time outdoors, listening to music, going to the gym, or hanging out with family/friends!

Amelia was born and raised in Cuba. She is currently in her second year of studying Microbiology and Cell Science. Outside of the lab, she loves singing, dancing, and would like to travel and explore as many cultures and places as time will allow her to.

Ingrid is an undergraduate from South Florida majoring in Microbiology and Cell Science with a minor in Bioinformatics. She hopes to pursue a career in biological research or public health. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and reading. On campus, she is involved in climate action, performing science outreach labs with local elementary schoolers, and singing a cappella!