Who We Are

The McReynolds Lab is housed in the Eberly College of Science at Penn State University, in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Institutes of Life Sciences. 


Interested in joining The McReynolds Lab?

The McReynolds Lab at Penn State offers a unique and dynamic research environment and experience where scientists at all levels are able to learn, grow, contribute, and produce impactful science. Our lab aims to obtain a quantitative understanding of metabolic homeostasis, with the overarching goal of applying this knowledge to the treatment of human disease (cancer, obesity, aging) to promote healthier aging. 


Within this lab, we value and celebrate communication, collaboration, and cooperation. Trainees in our lab are directly mentored by both the PI and Senior Research Scientist. Mentoring and scientific training are tailored to each trainee in order to meet individual needs. If you are a fan of metabolism, nutritional biochemistry, aging bioenergetics, and signaling, then this is the laboratory for you! 


Melanie R. McReynolds
Dr. McReynolds is a biochemist specializing in understanding the connection between metabolic decline aging. Learn more about Dr. Melanie R. McReynolds.
Kelly A. Hogan
Kelly will join our team officially January 2023. Learn more about Dr. Kelly A. Hogan.
Lab Manager/Technician - Brenita

Brenita is the Lab Manager/Technician for the McReynolds Lab. She joined the lab in July 2022. Learn more about Brenita.

Lina is a visiting clinician scientist from the University Hospital of Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH Kiel), Germany, who is grateful for being a part of the McReynolds lab from August - December 2022. Learn more about Lina.

Abdulkareem “Kareem” Alshaheeb

Kareem is a graduate student in the Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology (BMMB) graduate program –2021 cohort– at Penn State. Learn more about Kareem.

Abrar Alsaadi

Abrar is a graduate student in the Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology (BMMB) graduate program –2020 cohort– at Penn State. Learn more about Abrar.

Alexandria Murphy

Alexandria is a graduate student in the Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology (BMMB) graduate program –2022 cohort– at Penn State. Learn more about Alexandria.

Praveena Prasad

Praveena is a current member of the Fall 2022 cohort in the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences (MCIBS) PhD program at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. Learn more about Praveena.

Eric Mooney

Eric Mooney is co-mentored by Drs. Melanie McReynolds and Costas Maranas. Learn more about Eric.


Tatyana Hollingbird

Tatyana recently graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Chemistry  from Alcorn State University. Learn more about Tatyana.


Shanilah Frierson

Shanilah recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Chemistry from Alcorn State University. Learn more about Shanilah.

Undergraduates - Jaedon “JJ” Sadler

Jaedon Sadler is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. Learn more about Jaedon.

Undergraduates - Ian Argento

Ian Argento is an undergraduate researcher in Dr. McReynold's laboratory. Learn more about Ian.

Undergraduate - Shaina Johnson

Shaina Johnson is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a fourth year BMB major. Learn more about Shaina.

Undergraduate - Isabella “Izzy” Munoz

Isabella Munoz is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds laboratory. Learn more about Isabella.

Undergraduate - 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. Learn more about Cole.

Undergraduate - Clara Gilloteau

Clara Gilloteau is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a fourth year BMB major. Learn more about Clara.

Undergraduate - Anant Pothakamury

Anant Pothakamury is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a second year BMB major. Learn more about Anant.

Undergraduate - Lily Williams

Lily Williams is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a second year BMB major. Learn more about Lily.

Undergraduate - Isaiah D. Diggs

Isaiah Diggs is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a second year BMB and MBA major. Learn more about Isaiah.

Undergraduate - Jaclyn Smith

Jaclyn Smith, a third-year Forensics Chemistry major, is an enthusiastic undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. Learn more about Jaclyn.

Undergraduate - 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. Learn more about Garret.

Donovan Mauney

Donovan Mauney is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is a second-year Biology major. Learn more about Donovan.

Undergraduate - Brett Breidor

Brett Breidor is an undergraduate in the McReynolds lab and is a fifth year BMB major. Learn more about Brett.

Abby Franey

Abby Franey is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. Learn more about Abby.

Chihaorui Zhang

Chihaorui Zhang is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. Learn more about Chihaorui.

Jurny Canton

Jurny Canton is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. Learn more about Jurny.

Kamyaa Doshi is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. Learn more about Kamyaa.

Kayla Dennis is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab and is majoring in biology. Learn more about Kayla.

Emmanuel Olayiwola is an undergraduate researcher in the McReynolds Lab. Learn more about Manny.


Interested in joining the lab? Contact us to learn more.

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