The Rowley Laboratory

Jeremy Ellis

Laboratory Research Technician

"I started working as an undergraduate researcher in 2019, since then I have been involved in projects investigating the virulence of Candida yeast mutants as well as helping with comparative analyses of potential SARS-CoV2 receptors in animals. Working in the lab has helped me learn several techniques relevant to my field of study, microbiology, as well as allowing me to become acquainted with the scientific process as a whole."

Suki Li

Graduate student

​"I have always been fascinated by how changes in amino acid sequences alter the overall shape and function of proteins, and their abilities to interact with their binding partners. My project is part of an NSF-funded interdisciplinary grant studying how genotypic changes affect phenotypic protein-protein interactions. My work specifically focuses on how lentiviral capsids interact with host nuclear pore proteins to promote viral nuclear entry."

Nathan Taggart

Graduate student

​"I’m a PhD student in the Microbiology, Molecular Biology, & Biochemistry program. I study host-virus interactions in Saccharomyces yeast. Specifically, I study how double-stranded RNA viruses protect their genomes from degradation by the host. I also collect Rubik’s cubes and cool rocks."

Marinda Stanton

Graduate student

"I graduated from Willamette University in the spring of 2020 and came to UI as a master’s student. I work on the KP4-Like project in the model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae."

Jack Creagh

Graduate student

"I am interested in using the power of yeast genetics and molecular dynamics simulation to understand the secret inner life of cells. In the Rowley lab, I focus on understanding the interaction between yeast killer toxins and host cell membranes. Killer toxins are unique proteins that must retain stability in two diverse environments and this makes killer proteins fascinating and challenging to understand."

Rodolfo Bizarria Jr  

J1 Visiting Scholar

"I'm fascinated by yeasts and their interactions. Over the last years, I have been isolating yeasts from insects and digging into their ecological roles. In the Rowley lab, I'm interested to explore the ecology of killer yeasts in natural populations, and how diverse and spread double-stranded RNA viruses are in Saccharomicotina lineages"

Victor Zhong

Undergraduate research student

"I am a second-year undergraduate student in the Molecular Biology, & Biochemistry program. Being able to participate in undergraduate research allowed me to gain more lab experiences and insight to my field of study."

Ximena Garcia

Undergraduate research student

"Working in the Rowley lab has been an amazing opportunity that has helped enhance my laboratory skills and piqued my interest in conducting research. As a senior studying Medical Sciences with a minor in Spanish this lab has allowed me to apply my knowledge of the sciences with hands-on learning  which has benefited me in my studies as well as my passion and drive for science."

David Reetz

Undergraduate research student

"I'm studying Biological Engineering as an undergraduate at the University of Idaho, starting out on the road to be a professor one day.  I have some lab experience working with organic adjuvant-antigen chimeras for S. aureus at another institution."

Julia Major

Undergraduate research student

"I am an undergraduate in my second year majoring in Biochemistry. I've really enjoyed being in the Rowley lab and applying what I learn in my classes to research. I currently do research on the KRE1 gene in a variety of different yeasts."

Rosie Hill

Undergraduate research student

"I am an undergraduate student majoring in Biochemistry. I've enjoyed being part of the Rowley lab and getting involved in research. This fall I will be working on the role of Kre1 in killer toxin immunity."

Nathan LaVoie

Undergraduate research student

"I am an undergraduate studying Biological Engineering and Math here at the University of Idaho.  Joining the Rowley lab has been the perfect opportunity to explore my field of interest and find out what I want to do for graduate school.  I hope to graduate in 2024 and pursue an MD-PhD program to become a Medical Scientist."