Our team of poop scientists
Skye Fishbein, PhD - Assistant Professor
TLDR: soccer, lavender, snakes, salt water, nut butter
Skye completed a BS/MS in Biology at Brandeis University. She caught the infectious disease bug in Cape Town, South Africa, where she did a Fulbright Fellowship under Dr. Rob Warren at Stellenbosch University focused on Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis. She did her PhD in Dr. Eric Rubin’s lab at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health studying mechanisms of ribosome-based regulation that governs mycobacterial drug susceptibility. For her postdoctoral work, she worked in Dr. Gautam Dantas’ research group at Washington University in St. Louis, focusing on the microbial ecology of Clostridioides difficile infection. Outside of science, she dreams of competing on the survival show Alone.
Nicholas Christman, PhD - Postdoc
TLDR: genetics, running, nature, sports, cats
Nick first decided he wanted to work in a lab when he watched the blockbuster Contagion in high school. He earned a BS in microbiology from Brigham Young University where he studied mechanisms of infection in human pathogens. Nick then moved on to earn his Doctorate from Indiana University in the lab of Ankur Dalia where he studied horizontal gene transfer in bugs like Vibrio cholerae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. He has a deep love for bacterial genetics and hopes to improve the genetic tractability of non-model organisms, like those found in the human microbiome. Outside the lab, Nick enjoys running, soccer (or sport of any kind), trivia, and hanging out with his two cats.
Ryan Phillips, MS - Research Associate (human picture in progress, please accept canine placeholder)
TLDR: bugs, kayaking, art, orange, cryptids
Ryan earned a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University, where he monitored the spread of a microsporidian biological control agent, Ovavesicula popilliae, in Japanese beetle populations. He then moved to Appalachia to pursue an MS in Biology at West Virginia University. At WVU, he investigated tsetse fly (Glossina spp.) metabolism, focusing on serine synthesis and transport as stabilizing mechanisms in the tsetse-Wigglesworthia glossinidia symbiosis. This work sparked a continued interest in gut microbial symbiosis and microbiome-pathogen interactions.
Abby Spencer - Ph.D. Student
TLDR: cheese, volleyball, plants, game nights, nature
Abby earned her BS in Microbiology from Ohio State University, where she studied the impact of host Protein Kinase C on Listeria monocytogenes internalization. Her undergraduate research prompted an interest in infectious disease research which inspired her to continue her education as a PhD student. She joined Ohio State’s BSGP and is curious about how commensal gut microorganisms offer protection against invading pathogens. Outside of lab, Abby loves hosting game nights, cooking, and playing volleyball.
Kelsey Kershner - Ph.D. Student
TLDR: coffee, critters, gardening
Kelsey earned her BS in Biology at Ohio State, where she studied the interactions between lentiviral accessory proteins and the host immune system. After her undergrad, she worked as a histotechnician before joining Ohio State’s Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. She is interested in studying how pathogens evolve to antagonize their host and how the microbiome can modulate infection severity. Outside of the lab, Kelsey enjoys movies, hiking, and cooking.
Kailey Metz - Undergraduate student
TLDR: genetics, music, plants, friends, nature, sports
Kailey is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Genetics at The Ohio State University, where she is building a foundation in genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, and related experimental and computational approaches. After graduation, she plans to continue on to a PhD and a career in research. She is passionate about how genetics can be applied to address a wide range of problems. Outside of the lab, Kailey enjoys reading, rock climbing, running, playing instruments, and spending time with friends.