LAB MEMBERS
Current members
Sean C. Murphy, MD, PhD (link to UW profile) (pronouns: he/him)
- Professor, Dept. of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, UW
- Chief, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Dept. of Laboratories, Seattle Children's Hospital
- Ex officio Vice Chair, Dept. of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, UW
- Member, Center for Emerging and Re–emerging Infectious Diseases, UW
- Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, UW
- Core Scientist and Chief, IDTM, Washington National Primate Research Center
- Faculty Member, Pathobiology Training Program, UW
- Clinical Investigator, Seattle Malaria Clinical Trials Center
Melanie Shears, PhD (pronouns: she/her)
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (2024-present)
Acting Instructor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (2020-2024)
Senior Research Scientist (2018-2020)
Vaccine development and parasite biology
Lead, Non-human Primate Research Program
Link to faculty profile
Dr. Shears' leads her own emerging independent non-human primate malaria research program in addition to continuing to contribute to multiple areas of the Murphy lab’s malaria vaccine effort. She has a wealth of parasitology, vaccinology, immunology, and animal models experience, and is also a highly adept project manager and mentor. Prior to joining the UW, Dr. Shears did her Postdoc in malaria sporozoite and liver stage parasite biology at Johns Hopkins University with Professor Photini Sinnis, and her PhD in malaria lipid metabolism with Professor Geoff McFadden at the University of Melbourne. Outside of work, she loves cooking, keeping active, watching sci-fi, and travel.
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (2024-present)
Acting Instructor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (2020-2024)
Senior Research Scientist (2018-2020)
Vaccine development and parasite biology
Lead, Non-human Primate Research Program
Link to faculty profile
Dr. Shears' leads her own emerging independent non-human primate malaria research program in addition to continuing to contribute to multiple areas of the Murphy lab’s malaria vaccine effort. She has a wealth of parasitology, vaccinology, immunology, and animal models experience, and is also a highly adept project manager and mentor. Prior to joining the UW, Dr. Shears did her Postdoc in malaria sporozoite and liver stage parasite biology at Johns Hopkins University with Professor Photini Sinnis, and her PhD in malaria lipid metabolism with Professor Geoff McFadden at the University of Melbourne. Outside of work, she loves cooking, keeping active, watching sci-fi, and travel.
A. Mariko Seilie, BS (pronouns: she/her)
Research Scientist 3 & MMDL Assistant Director (2024-present)
Research Scientist 2 & MMDL Manager (2013-2024)
Lead, Lumen Bioscience Collaboration
Mariko helps to lead the group's malaria diagnostics and clinical trial testing programs. She developed the Plasmodium 18S rRNA biomarker assay that proceeded to FDA Qualification. Mariko is an expert in malaria molecular diagnostics and has shared her expertise with collaborating labs across the country and the world.
Research Scientist 3 & MMDL Assistant Director (2024-present)
Research Scientist 2 & MMDL Manager (2013-2024)
Lead, Lumen Bioscience Collaboration
Mariko helps to lead the group's malaria diagnostics and clinical trial testing programs. She developed the Plasmodium 18S rRNA biomarker assay that proceeded to FDA Qualification. Mariko is an expert in malaria molecular diagnostics and has shared her expertise with collaborating labs across the country and the world.
Rebekah Reynolds, PhD (pronouns: she/her)
Research Scientist 2 (2020-present)
Malaria vaccine development and diagnostics research
Lead, Insectary Program
Dr. Reynolds leads the mosquito components of the Murphy lab's vaccine research and is also heading up the UW-side of our recently awarded U01 malaria vaccine grant. She received her PhD in Entomology from Iowa State University under the mentorship of Ryan Smith. In 2017, Rebekah received the NSF-GRFP fellowship to investigate the role of hormones on mosquito immune responses to malaria parasites. Prior to graduate school, Rebekah studied Biology and Environmental Science at Drake University where she discovered her fascination with medical entomology. In her free time, Rebekah enjoys running, hiking, cooking and playing ultimate frisbee.
Research Scientist 2 (2020-present)
Malaria vaccine development and diagnostics research
Lead, Insectary Program
Dr. Reynolds leads the mosquito components of the Murphy lab's vaccine research and is also heading up the UW-side of our recently awarded U01 malaria vaccine grant. She received her PhD in Entomology from Iowa State University under the mentorship of Ryan Smith. In 2017, Rebekah received the NSF-GRFP fellowship to investigate the role of hormones on mosquito immune responses to malaria parasites. Prior to graduate school, Rebekah studied Biology and Environmental Science at Drake University where she discovered her fascination with medical entomology. In her free time, Rebekah enjoys running, hiking, cooking and playing ultimate frisbee.
Anya Kalata, BS (pronouns: she/her)
Research Scientist 2 (2024-present), Research Scientist 1 (2020-2023)
Malaria vaccine development and diagnostics research
Lead, DNA Vaccine Production Pipeline
Anya is leading the DNA vaccine production pipeline for the laboratory. Leveraging her background in chemistry, Anya is working to strengthen the lab's quality improvement-minded manufacturing process for our pre-clinical vaccine candidates. She is also one of the leads on our SARS-CoV-2 vaccine project. She graduated from Western Washington University with a B.S. in Biochemistry and then worked at an Environmental Laboratory as a Chemist before leaving industry for academia. Prior to joining the Murphy Lab, she worked as a research technician in a breast cancer lab at Fred Hutch. In her free time, Anya enjoys drinking tea, swimming, collecting cool rocks, and oil painting.
Research Scientist 2 (2024-present), Research Scientist 1 (2020-2023)
Malaria vaccine development and diagnostics research
Lead, DNA Vaccine Production Pipeline
Anya is leading the DNA vaccine production pipeline for the laboratory. Leveraging her background in chemistry, Anya is working to strengthen the lab's quality improvement-minded manufacturing process for our pre-clinical vaccine candidates. She is also one of the leads on our SARS-CoV-2 vaccine project. She graduated from Western Washington University with a B.S. in Biochemistry and then worked at an Environmental Laboratory as a Chemist before leaving industry for academia. Prior to joining the Murphy Lab, she worked as a research technician in a breast cancer lab at Fred Hutch. In her free time, Anya enjoys drinking tea, swimming, collecting cool rocks, and oil painting.
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Dianna Hergott, MS, PhD (pronouns: she/her)
Research Scientist 3 (2024-present), Epidemiology PhD, U. Washington (2018-2022) Malaria epidemiology and data modeling Dianna completed her PhD in Epidemiology before working for the state on COVID-19 data modeling. She returned to UW in early 2024 to lead malaria modeling research in Dave Smith's Laboratory and to lead the Murphy Laboratory's malaria epidemiology studies in sub-Saharan Africa. In her previous time at UW, Dianna served as the UW lead for the Uganda DBS R21 Study (2020-2021) and the Study Coordinator for the Warfighter 3 CHMI Trial, Seattle Malaria Clinical Trials Center (2022). |
Felicia Watson, PhD (pronouns: she/her)
Post-doctoral Fellow (2023-present), Pathobiology PhD, U. Washington (2020-2023)
Malaria vaccine development
Felicia graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology. She worked as a research technician in a cancer cell biology lab before moving up to Seattle to pursue a PhD. Felicia recently completed her PhD in the Pathobiology program in the Department of Global Health at UW and is continuing as a post-doc. She originally joined the Murphy Lab in 2020 to complete her thesis research. She is interested in parasite biology and vaccine development for malaria. Outside the lab, Felicia enjoys swimming, baking, and exploring the PNW.
Graduate Fellowship Funding: NIH/NIAID F31 and R01 Diversity Supplement
Post-doctoral Fellow (2023-present), Pathobiology PhD, U. Washington (2020-2023)
Malaria vaccine development
Felicia graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology. She worked as a research technician in a cancer cell biology lab before moving up to Seattle to pursue a PhD. Felicia recently completed her PhD in the Pathobiology program in the Department of Global Health at UW and is continuing as a post-doc. She originally joined the Murphy Lab in 2020 to complete her thesis research. She is interested in parasite biology and vaccine development for malaria. Outside the lab, Felicia enjoys swimming, baking, and exploring the PNW.
Graduate Fellowship Funding: NIH/NIAID F31 and R01 Diversity Supplement
Caroline Duncombe, BA (pronouns: she/her)
Pathobiology PhD candidate, U. Washington (2021-present)
Malaria vaccine development/bioinformatics
Caroline graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota before moving to Bethesda, MD to work in Dr. Clifton Barry's NIAID/NIH intramural tuberculosis laboratory. Caroline has also worked with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics in Geneva, Switzerland. Caroline is currently a first-year graduate student in the Pathobiology program in the Department of Global Health at UW. She rotated in and then joined the Murphy Lab in 2021. Her project is focusing on sex-specific differences in malaria vaccines and will also provide for "big data" bioinformatics training and research on this and related vaccine development questions. Caroline is also the Producer for MAD SCIENCE, a science-themed improv show.
Graduate Fellowship Funding: National Science Foundation Fellowship (2022-present)
Pathobiology PhD candidate, U. Washington (2021-present)
Malaria vaccine development/bioinformatics
Caroline graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota before moving to Bethesda, MD to work in Dr. Clifton Barry's NIAID/NIH intramural tuberculosis laboratory. Caroline has also worked with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics in Geneva, Switzerland. Caroline is currently a first-year graduate student in the Pathobiology program in the Department of Global Health at UW. She rotated in and then joined the Murphy Lab in 2021. Her project is focusing on sex-specific differences in malaria vaccines and will also provide for "big data" bioinformatics training and research on this and related vaccine development questions. Caroline is also the Producer for MAD SCIENCE, a science-themed improv show.
Graduate Fellowship Funding: National Science Foundation Fellowship (2022-present)
Weston Staubus, BA, MS (pronouns: he/him)
Research Scientist 1, Malaria Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (2021-present)
As a member of the molecular diagnostics team, Weston carries out and interprets the results of Plasmodium 18S rRNA biomarker assays. Prior to joining the lab, Weston earned an M.S. in Biology from Western Washington University, where he studied desiccation resistance and gene expression in Rhagoletis flies. Before that, he obtained a B.A. in Biology from Pomona College and worked as a field biologist.
Research Scientist 1, Malaria Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (2021-present)
As a member of the molecular diagnostics team, Weston carries out and interprets the results of Plasmodium 18S rRNA biomarker assays. Prior to joining the lab, Weston earned an M.S. in Biology from Western Washington University, where he studied desiccation resistance and gene expression in Rhagoletis flies. Before that, he obtained a B.A. in Biology from Pomona College and worked as a field biologist.
Ashley Subijanto, BS
Research Scientist 1, Malaria Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (2024-present)
Ashley graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in General Biology. Prior to joining the lab, she was an Undergraduate Researcher studying the evolution and development of ascidians and also a Research Assistant for the Chu Lab’s Husky COVID Testing program. She joined the lab to understand more about infectious diseases and gain experience in anticipation of graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting and baking.
Research Scientist 1, Malaria Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (2024-present)
Ashley graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in General Biology. Prior to joining the lab, she was an Undergraduate Researcher studying the evolution and development of ascidians and also a Research Assistant for the Chu Lab’s Husky COVID Testing program. She joined the lab to understand more about infectious diseases and gain experience in anticipation of graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting and baking.
Sammi Cheung, BS
Research Scientist 1, Malaria Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (2025-present)
Sammi is part of the MMDL & runs and interprets Plasmodium 18S rRNA biomarker assays for clinical trials and epidemiological studies. She graduated with a Master's from the Environmental Health Sciences program at UW in 2024 where her research focused on shotgun metagenomic sequencing for environmental surveillance and health monitoring tool of bacterial enteric pathogens. She was a Medical Laboratory Scientist at UW's Molecular Microbiology Lab from 2021-2023 after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science at UW. Outside the lab, Sammi enjoys creating art, taking walks, and trying new restaurants in Seattle.
Research Scientist 1, Malaria Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (2025-present)
Sammi is part of the MMDL & runs and interprets Plasmodium 18S rRNA biomarker assays for clinical trials and epidemiological studies. She graduated with a Master's from the Environmental Health Sciences program at UW in 2024 where her research focused on shotgun metagenomic sequencing for environmental surveillance and health monitoring tool of bacterial enteric pathogens. She was a Medical Laboratory Scientist at UW's Molecular Microbiology Lab from 2021-2023 after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science at UW. Outside the lab, Sammi enjoys creating art, taking walks, and trying new restaurants in Seattle.
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Japeth.K.A. Mdenyo Dip-MLS, BS-MLS (pronouns: he/him)
Master’s student, Laboratory Medicine (Sept 2023- present) UW Japheth graduated from Eldoret Polytechnic College-Kenya with a diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences in November 2008. He also graduated from Technical University of Mombasa-Kenya with a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences in December 2014. He has clinical laboratory experience working at Bomu Hospital-Mombasa from January 2012 to August 2023. Malaria and other infectious diseases affecting LMIC shaped his clinical laboratory experience and research interest to pursue a master’s degree in laboratory medicine at University of Washington Seattle. Outside work and school, he enjoys listening to music, watching soccer and spending time with family/friends. |
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Solmaz Mohammadi BS, MSc (pronouns: she/her)
Volunteer International Scholar, Iran Solmaz earned a bachelor’s degree in Cellular & Molecular Biology and a master's degree in Microbial Biotechnology at the Tabriz University in Iran. Her Master's thesis research focused on mesenchymal stem cells and methods to combat oxidative stress and promote the survival of these cells after transplant. She also has clinical research and work experience at the International Hospital and Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in the fields of mesenchymal stem cells, reproductive human, microbiology, bioinformatics approaches, neurobiology, and genetics. Solmaz is working with mentor Dr. Melanie Shears to contribute to the team's research program on malaria animal models and vaccines. Solmaz lives in Iran and aspires to continue her education in health and medical-related research at the Ph.D. level. She is a dedicated, patient, motivated daughter and family and nature lover, and in her free time, she enjoys doing yoga and physical fitness professionally. |
Bogdan Velychko
Undergraduate researcher (2024-present)
Bogdan is an undergraduate student at UW and is majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He joined the lab to enhance his knowledge in immunology and vaccinology and to gain research experience. Outside of lab, Bogdan enjoys cooking, reading and paddle boarding.
Undergraduate researcher (2024-present)
Bogdan is an undergraduate student at UW and is majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He joined the lab to enhance his knowledge in immunology and vaccinology and to gain research experience. Outside of lab, Bogdan enjoys cooking, reading and paddle boarding.
Alen Poehlman
Undergraduate researcher (2024-present)
Alen is an undergraduate student at UW planning on majoring in Biochemistry and Instrumental Music Performance. He joined the lab to deepen his understanding of diseases and vaccine development, as well as to gain experience in a research setting. Outside of the lab, Alen enjoys reading, spending time with his dogs, and playing music.
Undergraduate researcher (2024-present)
Alen is an undergraduate student at UW planning on majoring in Biochemistry and Instrumental Music Performance. He joined the lab to deepen his understanding of diseases and vaccine development, as well as to gain experience in a research setting. Outside of the lab, Alen enjoys reading, spending time with his dogs, and playing music.
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Aida Chan
Undergraduate researcher (2024-present) Aida is a second-year undergraduate at UW, majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Bioethics. Her research in the lab began in high school when she worked with the MMDL on Kelch-13 sequencing to monitor anti-malarial drug resistance. She returned to the team in 2024 to focus on vaccine development and translational models of vaccine research. Outside the lab, Aida enjoys swimming, playing piano, and baking. |
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David Mac
Undergraduate research technician (2024-present) David is an undergraduate at UW majoring in Biochemistry. He joined the lab to better understand clinical research and vaccines and to explore career opportunities. He aims to become a primary care physician. Outside of the lab, David enjoys photography, going to Costco, and indulging in tiramisu. |
Jamie Kadri
Grants & Research Specialist (2019-present)
Jamie is a member of the UW Laboratory Medicine Grants & Research team and works with our laboratory to submit and manage our grants and contracts. His office is at our off-site Northgate site (Box 358738, 9750 3rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA) and he can be reached at 206-520-4695 from 7AM-4PM Mon-Fri.
Grants & Research Specialist (2019-present)
Jamie is a member of the UW Laboratory Medicine Grants & Research team and works with our laboratory to submit and manage our grants and contracts. His office is at our off-site Northgate site (Box 358738, 9750 3rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA) and he can be reached at 206-520-4695 from 7AM-4PM Mon-Fri.
Lab Alumni
Naveen Yadav, PhD
Naveen Yadav, PhD
- Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (2021-2024)
- Currently post-doc, UCLA
- Research Scientist 1, Malaria Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (2021-2024)
- Currently graduate student, Michigan State University
- Laboratory Animal Medicine Resident & Masters student, Department of Comparative Medicine (2021-2024)
- Undergraduate researcher (2022-2024)
- Undergraduate Researcher (2021-2024)
- Masters Student, Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (2023-2024)
- Currently medical student: Rosalind Franklin North Chicago Medical School
- Assistant Director of the MMDL (2018-2024)
- Senior Research Scientist (2013-2024)
- Masters Student, Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (2022-2023)
- RS1, Insectary Researcher (Pepper/Murphy Labs)
- Pre-college researchers (2022)
- Epidemiology PhD program, U. Washington (2018-2022)
- Malaria epidemiology; Lead, Uganda DBS R21 Study ; Study Coordinator, Warfighter 3 CHMI Trial, Seattle Malaria Clinical Trials Center
- Pre-college researcher (2021-2022)
- Undergraduate Assistant and Researcher (2021-2022)
- Undergraduate Research Assistant (2020-2021)
- Undergraduate Research Assistant (2019-2021)
- Chief Resident, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- Current Microbiology Fellow, University of Utah/ARUP
- Rotation student (2021)
- Pathobiology Student
- MLS Research Student (2021)
- MLS Research Student (2021)
- Research Scientist (2019-2020)
- Malaria vaccine development
- Now in graduate school at UW (Lund Laboratory, Fred Hutch)
- Research Scientist 2, MMDL (2016-2021)
- Currently in the Greninger Laboratory, UW
- Senior Research Scientist (2013-2020)
- DNA Vaccine Development and Highly Parallel Immunization
- Research Scientist, SLU Vaccine Laboratory & MMDL (2019-present)
- Malaria vaccine development and diagnostics research
- Currently medical student at Thomas Jefferson, Philadelphia, PA
- Visiting Scientist (2018-present)
- Malaria vaccine development and diagnostics research
- Project Associate, Laboratory of Annapurna Vyakarnam, Division of Infectious Diseases, St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
- MLS Research Student (2019)
- Laboratory Technologist, RT-PCR Laboratory
- Clinical trial diagnostic support
- Research Scientist and Laboratory Manager, SLU site (2016-2018)
- Research Scientist (2017-2019)
- Vaccine development bioinformatics
- MLS Research Student (2018)
- Volunteer (2016-2017)
- Now at Correlative Studies Laboratory Manager, Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Hospital
- Research Scientist, SLU (2013-2017)
- MSTP (MD/PhD) program at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill started 2017
- Research Scientist, RT-PCR Laboratory
- MPH program at Yale University (2017)
- UW graduate, SLU Laboratory (2016-2018)
- UW graduate, SLU Laboratory (2016-2018)
- Laboratory Technologist, RT-PCR Laboratory (2013-2016; still in HIV CFAR laboratory)
- MLS Research Student (2017-2018)
- Next position: Seattle Children's Hospital Lab
- MLS Research Student (2017-2018)
- Undergraduate researcher
- Next position: graduate school 2017-
- Summer intern (2016)
- Summer intern (2016)
Autumn in Seattle