Our Team
Some thing about all of us….
TJ Firneno, PhD
(he/him)
Principal Investigator
Under construction…. You can find a copy of my most up to date CV here.
Michael Grapin
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a fourth-year studying biology with a secondary in data science. I am interested in investigating genotype-to-phenotype mechanisms that are found across the diversity of life. Outside of academics, I am a avid outdoorsman and a member of the Juniata College football team.
Brayden Todd
(they/he)
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a fourth-year student and I like to talk about what interests me week-by-week. Things I like are, the color green, Hawaiian shirts, and learning new things, whether it’s academic or trivia!
Ava Merced
(she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
I'm a second-year studying environmental science excited to work on undergraduate research. I'm super interested in wildlife, genetics, conservation, and more. Fun fact about me: I've been bitten by a penguin!
Bella Rose
(she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a second-year student excited to enter the world of research! I'm interested in genetics, evolution, and animal behavior. My favorite animals are sharks, and I hope to study them as my career someday.
Lauren Mahkovic
(she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a second year student and am a biology and geology POE. I am interested in evolution and genetics and hope to study paleobiology full time someday!
Donovan McCammon
(he/they)
Undergraduate Researcher
I'm a second-year student ready to further my research horizons! I'm studying biology, with an emphasis in genetics, genomics, microbiology, and bioinformatics. In my free time I love TTRPGs, reading fantasy novels, and playing bass.
Rilee Connors
(she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a second year student in the Environmental Studies 3+1 program, with a minor in biology. I am interested in environmental conservation, and wildlife management, with the hope to study and research predatory mammals!
Gianna Leone
(she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
I am currently a fourth-year student here at Juniata College studying biology. I am particularly interested in genetics, genomics, and understanding organisms' physiological responses to their environment. Outside of the lab, I love hiking, camping, skiing, and exploring the world.
Ken Sorokie
(he/him)
Undergraduate Researcher
I am interested in pre veterinary medicine and pre veterinary studies and enjoy playing Tetris when not studying organic chemistry. In the lab, I am mainly performing cricket husbandry duties in the study of cricket plasticity / hybridization impact.
Addy Bert
(she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a second-year student studying biology with a secondary in psychology. More than anything, I love to learn! I especially enjoy learning about how organisms and systems learn/evolve/develop. Otherwise, I love writing and creating art and music.
Adam Bush
(he/him)
Undergraduate Researcher
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at Juniata College. I am interested in developmental biology, and how genetic/molecular interactions can affect phenotypes at an organismal level, both during development and throughout populations and ecosystems. I love electronic music, long drives in the rain, and short stories about the human experience.
Lab Alumni
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Katie Golden
Juniata College Masters in Bioninformatics 2023-2024