Members — Jones Lab - Miami University

Jones Lab Members

Graduate Students

Ph.D. Student – Microbiology

Hometown: Bombay, India

Project: With over seven years of experience in industrial and academic settings, my current focus is on optimizing and scaling up secondary metabolite production in metabolically engineered E. coli. I am glad to be a part of such a great team.

Interests: Outside of work, I am all about good food, music, and nature trails.

Contact: sena2@miamioh.edu

Abhishek Sen

BS/MS Student - CMSB, Biochemistry; Pre-Medical Studies and Neuroscience Co-Major

Hometown: Goochland, VA

Project: My thesis focuses on expanding the number of psilocybin derivatives we can produce in E. coli by modifying the enzymes in the biosynthesis pathway. Changing these enzymes can allow for greater pathway promiscuity and production of previously unattainable derivatives. The goal of the project is to alter the effects of psychedelic drugs while maintaining their psychological benefits.

Interests: I enjoy working with pharmaceuticals and exploring their applications in both human and veterinary medicine. I plan to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and neurology where I can continue this type of work. Outside the lab, I love teaching, raising plants, reading, swimming, and exercising.

Contact: kemmerge@miamioh.edu

Grace Kemmerly

BS/MS Student – Biochemistry and Chemistry

Anthropology and Global Health Studies Minors

Hometown: Barrington, IL

Project: My thesis aims to increase the drug candidate pool for psychedelic mental health treatments. I am focusing on the exploration of different tryptophan modifying enzymes to add them to our psilocybin biosynthesis pathway to create new derivatives. By making more derivatives, there are more opportunities for compounds capable of treating various mental health disorders.

Interests: I am excited for the opportunity to learn more about biosynthesis for pharmaceutical research, especially for mental health. I plan to continue this type of research in the future as a PhD student. Outside of the lab, I am the head organic chemistry SI leader, and in my free time, I love playing volleyball, going to the gym, cooking, and hanging out with friends!

Contact: guaglifg@miamioh.edu

Felicia Guagliardo

Undergraduate Students

Zachary Abrahms

BA Student – Biology; Premedical Studies Co-Major

Hometown: Kansas City, MO

Project: My research focuses on optimizing the de novo production of psilocybin. To accomplish this, the most effective P450 monooxygenase and its reductase partner (selected from a few different mushrooms) will be tested and inserted into a plasmid to create a single culture E. coli system.

Interests: I am captivated by neuroscience and alternative methods for treating behavioral health issues. Beyond the lab and school, I enjoy playing the piano, making pizza from scratch, playing soccer, and working out. I also like working on my vertical farming system which grows lettuce, basil, and tomatoes.

Contact: abrahmzn@miamioh.edu

Alexa Wiwi

BS Student - Chemical Engineering; Neuroscience Co-major

Hometown: Liberty Township, OH

Project: My research involves using site-directed mutagenesis to create specific edits in a gene encoding a methyltransferase found in the psilocybin pathway. My main goal is to find a method to selectively produce Baeocystin, an interesting intermediate in the psilocybin pathway.

Interests: I am interested in neuroscience and I love working in a lab. I am involved in Miami Cheerleading and greek life. I also enjoy working out and reading books.

Contact: wiwiam@miamioh.edu

Nolan Brown

BS Student - Biochemistry and Kinesiology; Neuroscience and Pre-Med Co-Major

Nutrition Minor

Hometown: Economy, IN

Project: I have begun collaboration with one of our senior lab members in an effort to characterize a key enzyme in the pathways of two desired metabolites. I am attempting to characterize the activity and promiscuity of O-methyltransferases (OMTs), enzymes that have the potential to be useful in the production of many high-value products.

Interests: I have a passion for exploring the unknown that is only rivaled by my wish to help people. I enjoy diving into the topic of mental health, especially in regards to alternative therapies for veterans who return with different mental ailments. I hope to use these interests to make a difference in my professional life as a doctor. Outside of this area I enjoy nearly all sports, playing guitar, the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with my family.

Contact: brownnl6@miamioh.edu

Charles Ellis

BS Student - Biomedical Engineering; Premedical Studies Co-Major

Hometown: Pickerington, OH

Project: Starting Fall 2023

Interests: I am very passionate about the field of mental health and I am interested in seeing the link between metabolic engineering and potential mental healthcare treatment. Outside of the lab I love to play the piano, go on hikes, and spend time with the ones I love.

Contact: elliscr2@miamioh.edu

Andy Pennix

BS Student - Chemical Engineering

Hometown: Lebanon, OH

Project: Starting Fall 2023

Interests: I’ve been interested in the Jones Lab since 2021, and now that I’m here, I am excited to have an impact on the research! In my free time, I love to spend time in nature hiking, hammocking, or fishing.

Contact: pennixaj@miamioh.edu

Erin Connors

BA Student - Biology; Neuroscience Co-Major

Hometown: Columbus, OH

Project: Starting Spring 2024

Interests: My interests are primarily in the neuroscience behind mental illnesses and reproductive medicine. I am excited to gain experience working in the Jones lab and learning more about bioengineering and development of pharmaceuticals. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, playing guitar, and playing cards with my friends! I am also a member of the Track and Field team and Nu Rho Psi club here at Miami.

Contact: connore4@miamioh.edu

Niya Fried

BA Student - Biochemistry; Neuroscience and Premedical Studies Co-Majors

Hometown: Solon, OH

Project: Starting Spring 2024

Interests: I am very interested in neuroscience and exploring potential treatments for mental health/neuro disabilities. I love helping people as I wish to pursue a professional career in the medical field. I am very excited to be in the Jones Lab to further my knowledge within metabolic and biochemical engineering. Outside of the lab, I play tennis, the piano, and teach children tennis.

Contact: friednb@miamioh.edu

Sean Spezzano

BS Student - Biochemistry; Premedical Studies Co-Major

Hometown: Livonia, NY

Project: Starting Spring 2025

Interests: I am interested in the topic of mental health, and I'm so excited to engage in research applicable to advancing the production of mental health treatments! I'm looking forward to gaining my first research experience and supplementing my knowledge, particularly in the field of metabolic engineering, in the Jones Lab. In my free time, I love to sing, play tennis and pickleball, and spend time with friends and family.

Contact: spezzasj@miamioh.edu

Evelyn Cegielski

BS Student - Biomedical Engineering

Hometown: Mahtomedi, MN

Project: Starting Fall 2024

Interests: My interests focus on the relationship between gastrointestinal bacteria and patient digestion and related diseases. I’m very excited to develop a greater understanding of bioengineering and how bacteria can be manipulated to assist in treatments! In my free time, I love to go on runs, play lacrosse, and try new gluten-free recipes.

Contact: cegieler@miamioh.edu

Chloe Morton

BS Student - Biology; Premedical Studies Co-Major

Hometown: Lebanon, OH

Project: Starting Spring 2025

Interests: I have strong fascinations with genetics, anatomy, and medicine. More specifically, my interests focus on the human eye, vision, and related research. I desire to gain knowledge in and experience with genetic engineering to one day bridge my acquired skills to other medical areas, all in hopes of treating and serving others. Outside of the lab and school, I enjoy photography, playing the piano and my violin, decorating cakes, and traveling to new places!

Contact: mortoncj@miamioh.edu

Lily Sawyer

BS Student - Psychology; Premedical Studies Co-Major

Hometown: Greenwood, IN

Project: Starting Fall 2024

Interests: I am interested in the science behind mental health disorders and learning more about the research involved in creating possible medical treatments. I am excited to develop new skills and knowledge while working in the Jones Lab. Outside of the lab, I love to hang out with friends, travel, and play pickleball.

Contact: sawyerle@miamioh.edu

Sophia Pyritz

BS Student - Microbiology and Public Health

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Project: Starting Fall 2024

Interests: I am interested in how DNA and cells can be altered with chemical and bioengineering to make a more effective drug for treating mental health patients. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to
learn about applications of mental health research while also gaining hands-on experience in a lab. In my free time, I enjoy reading, working out, baking, and hanging out with my friends.

Contact: pyritzsk@miamioh.edu

Lindsey Pulling

BS Student - Biochemistry; Premedical Studies Co-Major

Hometown: Painesville, OH

Project: Starting Spring 2025

Interests: I am interested in mental health treatments, and how we can optimize these treatments by changing the chemical properties of them. I am looking forward to getting started in the Jones lab and learning more about metabolic and biochemical engineering. I am excited to develop my scientific skills while working in this lab. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family, staying active, and playing pickleball.

Contact: pullinlm@miamioh.edu

Audrey Topazian

BS Student - Chemical Engineering

Hometown: La Grange, IL

Project: Starting Spring 2025

Interests: I am interested in chemistry and finding ways to help people. I am excited to get involved in research and develop new skills and knowledge. Besides school and academics, I love to cook, spend time with my family and friends, and do crafts.

Contact: topazial@miamioh.edu