Undergraduates
Jaedon “JJ” Sadler
Jaedon Sadler is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. After joining Penn State as a Pre-medicine major, Jaedon switched to Biochemistry after completing a first-year seminar in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Jaedon's role in the lab involves establishing a model for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in mice. He hopes the model will help provide a better understanding of the metabolic disruptions caused by AKI. Jaedon is currently in his fourth year of his undergraduate tenure.
Personal and Fun Facts from JJ:
JJ is the leader of the undergraduates in the McReynolds Lab!
Honors and Awards:
- Erickson Summer Discovery Grant 2023
- BMB SURF Award 2023
Ian Argento
Ian Argento is an undergraduate researcher in Dr. McReynold's laboratory. His role is to study the SARM1 gene, beginning his research by examining the C. elegans homologue TIR-1. SARM1 is implicated in both NAD+ consumption and neuronal cell death, and he hopes a better understanding of the gene can benefit aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Ian is currently in his fourth year of his undergraduate tenure.
Personal and Fun Facts from Ian:
Ian is an eager learner, excited to get started in his first lab position at Penn State. Ian is in the University's Honors program, and he is also a member of the varsity of volleyball team (it helps that Ian is 6'9"!). In his free time, Ian enjoys hiking and playing his guitar.
Honors and Awards:
- President Walker Award; 2021
- Academic Excellence Scholarship; 2020
- Athletic Scholarship; 2020
Shaina Johnson
Shaina Johnson is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a fourth year BMB major. She is interested in DNA damage and mutations, but more specifically, their impact on metabolic pathways and immune responses. In the lab, Shaina is currently elucidating the physiological roles of the PARP family enzymes in C. elegans. Shaina is currently in her fourth year of her undergraduate tenure.
Personal and Fun Facts from Shaina:
Shaina was born in PA, but I was raised in the south (like many members of the lab!). Music is large part of her life, and she is still learning to play the ukulele. Hopefully Shaina will be able to sing and play her favorite songs soon.
Honors and Awards:
- Academic Excellence Scholarship; 2020
- Academic Excellence Scholarship; 2021
- Academic Excellence Scholarship; 2022
- Summer Engagement Network (SEN) Grant 2023
Isabella “Izzy” Munoz
Isabella Munoz is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds laboratory. Her focus is to study certain genes that are associated with higher BMI and obesity when mutated together versus mutated individually. This is a joint collaborative project with Professor Santhosh Girirajan that she is leading. Izzy is currently in her fourth year of her undergraduate tenure.
Personal and Fun Facts from Izzy:
Isabella is a scholar in the Schreyer Honors college and serves as a scholar ambassador for the college. She is heavily involved in THON and hopes to be a dancer one day! In her free time she loves picking up a new book to read, attending Penn State sporting events, and traveling with her family or friends!
Cole Caron
Cole Caron is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. His role is to better understand the impact of tank-1 on NAD+ consumption within C. elegans populations. tank-1 is thought to be used in apoptotic signaling pathways responding to DNA damage. Cole hopes that his research into this gene can give a better understanding into both its functionality within cells and overall impact on NAD+ usage within an organism. Cole is currently in his fourth year of his undergraduate tenure at Penn State.
Personal and Fun Facts from Cole:
Cole spends much of his free time watching Formula 1 racing, hoping that Haas F1 will someday become a consistent team. He also uses his time to learn about logistics infrastructure, and economics, which includes pursuing a minor in economics. He wishes there was a minor in logistics too.
Honors and Awards:
- PSU Learning Assistant Excellence Scholarship 2023
Clara Gilloteau
Clara Gilloteau is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a fourth year BMB major. She is interested in going to medical school to specialize in either dermatology or pathology. In the lab, Clara is understanding the impact of intestinal stress on NAD+ metabolism in mice. Clara is currently in her fourth year of her undergraduate tenure.
Personal and Fun Facts from Clara:
Clara’s hobbies include reading and snowboarding. She has hypermobility which makes for cool party tricks.
Anant Pothakamury
Anant Pothakamury is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a second year BMB major. He has always been interested in the world of biochemistry ever since his high school biology teacher showed him the Pathways of Human Metabolism chart. As part of the Schreyer Honors College, Anant is examining the impact of dysregulated NAD+ metabolism on inflammatory responses. He is excited for first lab position and is ecstatic for the future.
Personal and Fun Facts about Anant:
Anant has arguably the cutest dog in the world and if asked will have pictures ready in seconds.
Honors and Awards:
- President Walker Award; 2023
Lily Williams
Lily Williams is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a second year BMB major. As part of the Schreyer Honors College and NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant, Lily is eager to learn more in molecular biology as she works towards her thesis in the future. She hopes to gain a better understanding of how stress can affect all stages of life. In the lab, Lily is working on understanding the connection between NAD+ and reproductive metabolism.
Personal and Fun Facts about Lily:
Lily completed an independent research project in high school which has led to her interest in the McReynolds Lab. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and spending time with friends.
Isaiah D. Diggs
Isaiah Diggs is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a second year BMB and MBA major. He is originally from Waldorf, Maryland within the DMV area, and is an active member in the Society of Industrial Biotechnology. As part of the Millennium Scholars Program and NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant, Isaiah is contributing to understand the connection between NAD+ dysregulation and acute kidney injury.
Personal and Fun Facts about Isaiah:
Isaiah possesses remarkable skills in bullet chess and acquired his chess-playing prowess in a barbershop setting. Beyond his academic pursuits, Isaiah has a charming quirk - he's the proud owner of a pet Leopard Gecko!
Jaclyn Smith
Jaclyn Smith, a third-year Forensics Chemistry major, is an enthusiastic undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. Jaclyn's engagement extends beyond academics as she actively participates in various activities at Penn State. Within the lab, her research focus revolves around uncovering the intricate dynamics between hosts and their microbiomes in the NAD+ precursor cycling.
Personal and Fun Facts about Jaclyn:
Jaclyn serves as the secretary for CHAARG, an all-female workout club on campus. Alongside her commitment to academics, she indulges in her passion for American Football and enjoys reading during her leisure time. Her consistent dedication to her studies has earned her a spot on the Eberly College of Science Dean's List every year.
Garret Diven
Garret Diven is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a fourth year pursuing a double major in BMB and Psychology. Starting as a Biochemistry major at PSU, he ventured into psychology and philosophy courses, which sparked his interest to additionally major in Psychology. This unique blend of disciplines drives Garret's quest to unravel the intricate connection between stress, metabolic dysfunctions, and their implications for the longevity and effectiveness of mammalian cells. Within the lab, Garret actively contributes to a clinically-oriented endeavor that delves into the effects of congenital malformations on the aging process.
Personal and Fun Facts about Garret:
Garret enjoys the outdoors and going hiking! He is also an all-around lover of music, a member of a local drum corps, as well as an instructor for his high school drumline. He has spent many years playing the saxophone in numerous ensembles. Additionally, Garret is in the process of obtaining his pilot's license.
Donovan Mauney
Donovan Mauney is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a second-year Biology major. He is interested in biology, biochemistry, and biomedical engineering and is interested in going to medical school to specialize in anesthesiology. As part of the Millennium Scholars Program, Donovan is currently helping to establish Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system to investigate how stress disrupts NAD+ homeostasis.
Personal and Fun Facts about Donovan:
Donovan has a variety of interests, including reading and staying active through regular workouts. He's also a participant in the Millennium Scholars Program. In addition to these pursuits, he's skilled at solving a Rubik's Cube in under a minute!
Brett Breidor
Brett Breidor is an undergraduate in the McReynolds lab and is a fifth year BMB major. Brett’s role within the lab involves studying genes implicated in VACTERL association to better understand the developmental process and aging trajectory of those afflicted. Brett hopes to use this experience to further his knowledge on the cellular aging process and apply it to his own research interests (regenerative studies, aging).
Personal and Fun Facts about Brett:
Brett enjoys creative writing outside of science and loves watching basketball!
Honors and Awards:
- Fleetwood Bank Scholarship; 2019
Abby Franey
Abby Franey is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. She is originally from Reading, PA and has always had a passion for science. Her work in the lab deals with how different stressors affect the aging process of yeast. She plans to attend medical school after completing her undergraduate degree. Abby is currently in her third year of her undergraduate tenure.
Personal and Fun Facts from Abby:
In her free time, Abby enjoys cooking, watching movies, playing the ukulele and singing. She is involved in Penn State Choirs and the LifeLink mentorship program when she isn't studying science!
Chihaorui Zhang
Chihaorui Zhang is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. He is majoring in biochemistry with a minor in biology and is very interested in the study of aging. In the lab, Chihaorui will contribute to our understanding of how kidney injury and disease leads to aging. Chihaorui is currently in his third year of his undergraduate tenure.
Personal and Fun Facts from Chihaorui:
Chihaorui was a member of his high school’s basketball team.
Honors and Awards:
- Silver Medal in the Chemistry Olympiad
Jurny Canton
Jurny Canton is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. She is majoring in Biology. At first, Jurny was on the pre-med track, until taking Bio 230W where she found a love for research. This led to her discovering her interest in molecular biology and pursuing research. Jurny is currently in her second year of her undergraduate tenure.
Personal and Fun Facts from Jurny:
Jurny enjoys spending time with friends and family members.
Kamyaa Doshi
Kamyaa Doshi is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. She is majoring in biotechnology with a minor in entrepreneurship. Kamyaa is interested in working in genetics or in the pharmaceutical industry. In the lab, Kamyaa will contribute to our understanding of how redox homeostasis is regulated in non-model yeast for biofuel production. Kamyaa is currently in her third year of her undergraduate studies.
Personal and Fun Facts from Kamyaa:
Kamyaa enjoys reading, watching movies, and board games.
Honors and Awards:
- Dean’s List for 3 semesters
Kayla Dennis
Kayla Dennis is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is majoring in biology. She is originally from Philadelphia, PA and was awarded the prestigious Bunton-Waller Fellowship. As part of the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant, Kayla will contribute to our understanding of how disruptions to NAD+ homeostasis leads to aging and disease. Kayla is currently in her third year of her undergraduate studies.
Personal and Fun Facts from Kayla:
Kayla’s birthday is on April Fool’s Day! She enjoys spending time with friends.
Honors and Awards:
- Bunton-Waller Fellowship
Emmanuel “Manny” Olayiwola
Emmanuel Olayiwola is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. Manny is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and is majoring in biochemistry and Molecular biology (BMB). He is active in the Minority Association of Pre-medical Students where he currently serves as the Treasurer for this organization. As part of the Millennium Scholars Program, Emmanuel plans to attend medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon and create his own medical practice. In the lab, he will contribute to our understanding NAD+ metabolic gene regulation over the lifespan using C. elegans. Manny is currently in his third year of his undergraduate tenure.
Personal and Fun Facts from Manny:
Manny enjoys to reading, physically train, and occasionally take scenery photos, while also modeling for the camera.