Team members

Principal Investigator

Jessica Tanis

I began working with worms as an undergrad at Muhlenberg College. While I’ve enjoyed working with mice and various heterologous systems at times during my scientific career, I just keep getting drawn back to the powerful genetics of C. elegans.  I love teaching just as much as my research and work with amazing, fearless students in both the lab and classroom. When not at UD, I’m outside hiking, camping, and gardening with my family.

Malek Elsayyid

Ph.D Student

Hi, I am a 4th year Ph.D./MBA candidate working on the extracellular vesicle (EV) project. I specifically study the role of GTPases and their regulatory proteins in EV release and neuron-glia crosstalk. I am interested in the mechanisms behind cargo sorting, environmental release, and the glial uptake of distinct EV subpopulations. Outside of the lab, you can find me playing ultimate frisbee, traveling, and appreciating the various byproducts of yeast fermentation.

Karli Sunnergren

Graduate Student

I am a first-year graduate student researching the effects of loss of cystathionine beta-synthase on C. elegans (spoiler- the worms are really weird!). I joined the Tanis lab my senior year of undergrad, and loved the worms so much that I decided to stay for graduate school. When not fighting with researching my worms, I can be found hanging out with my dog/soulmate, Ellie C., taking overly long naps, or binge-watching Below Deck Mediterranean. Diet Dr. Pepper forever. Roll Hens!

Emylee Kerslake

Graduate Student

Hello! I’m Emylee, aka Emy-Lee, a second-year master’s student in the Tanis lab. I received my B.S. in Biology from Montclair State University in 2020. My research revolves around understanding the impact of excessive dietary glucose on Aβ-induced proteotoxicity in Alzheimer’s Disease. I’m a Jersey girl born and raised, where we fight over: the nomenclature of a sliced pork log (Pork Roll > Taylor Ham) and whether our pizza is better than New York’s (it is, and if you say otherwise then you’re wrong). I’m a Leo (you were clearly curious) who enjoys reading/writing fanfictions, building gaming PC’s, and obsessing over my adorable animals, Rufus and Nova – a.k.a. Beans.

Nahin Siara Prova

Graduate Student

I am interested in understanding the effect of oxidative stress on extracellular vesicle release. Specifically, my project focuses on determining the impact of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) on ciliary extracellular vesicle cargo sorting and biogenesis. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling especially to new cities with vibrant cultures, painting, and reading good books.

John Salsini-Tobias

Undergraduate Student

I’m completing a senior thesis, researching the effects of vitamin B12 and choline on C. elegans models of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Outside of the lab, I write and edit for UDress Magazine, serve as a Bio Ambassador to guide prospective UD students, and volunteer at the Blood Bank of Delmarva. I enjoy playing with my cats, traveling, and exercising in White Clay Creek State Park.

Rachel Wang

Undergraduate Student

My research project involves studying the impact of diet on Aβ toxicity in a C. elegans model of Alzheimer’s Disease. Specifically, I am investigating the protective effects of vitamin B₁₂ on Aβ-induced chemotaxis defects in C. elegans, and more recently, whether vitamin B₁₂ has any protective effect on learning and memory in Aβ neuronal worms. When I am not conducting chemotaxis assays in the lab, I enjoy playing tennis, planting succulents, and traveling!  

Aarushii Taneja

Undergraduate Student

My research focuses on determining the mechanism underlying the altered lifespan observed in the cbs-1 cystathionine beta-synthase mutant. In my free time, I enjoy reading, dancing, or just hanging out with a friend! 

McKenna Millar

Undergraduate Student

My name is McKenna Millar and I am a junior Biological Sciences major. I joined the Tanis lab in February of 2023 and am currently working with the arf-1.1 knockout mutant in Caenorhabditis elegans, with plans to do more preliminary research over the summer. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking, hiking, and playing with my dog!

Vasilios Lomis

Undergraduate Student

Hi, I am an undergraduate thesis student in the Tanis lab currently researching how the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 5-phosphatase CIL-1, impacts extracellular vesicle shedding and cargo sorting. When I’m not in lab I like to explore new places, cook various dishes, collect books, and grow plants. I am absolutely obsessed with the Rainforest Cafe.

Carter O’Brien

Undergraduate Student

Hi, I’m an undergraduate working on the EV project in the Tanis Lab. I’m from Delaware born and raised and was brought on during Summer of 2021. I like bagels, c-elegans, and have a pet rock named Dwayne. 

Zachary Machiorlete

Undergraduate Student

I come from Hawaii! Some of my academic interests are: viruses, microbiology, genetic heredity, exercise science, psychology, music theory, language arts, philosophy, and the German language. I have a passion for learning new things and I always strive to be better than I was yesterday. At the present, I am working on the EV project with a brilliant team of dedicated scientists.

PS: Please do not hesitate to contact me with inquiries in German if you can. Mein Deutsch ist am besten. 

Krisha Parekh

Undergraduate Student

Krisha is one of our newer members in the Tanis lab, currently a freshman.