• Home
  • Research
  • People
  • Outreach
  • Teaching
  • Contact
  • Opportunities
Dr. Van Laar's Microbiology Home
Connect with us
Picture

Current Lab Members

Principal Investigator

Picture








Graduate Students

Picture
Picture
Dr. Tricia Van Laar
I like birding, spending time with family and friends, and playing with my pets.  I also enjoy reading (both "fun books" and science books...which can be fun sometimes, too).  I grew up in the Central Valley, and after a brief sojourn to Texas, I'm happy to be back living and working in the Valley.
Google Scholar
Dr. V's CV
Joee Denis
I am working on characterizing the nest microbiome of American Bushtits (Psaltriparus minimus). These nests can be found all over Fresno State’s campus if you look carefully! I enjoy being a TA here at Fresno State. I hope to pursue a Ph.D. after I finish my Master's degree. ​
Manny Flores
I am studying antibiotic resistance and purity in probiotics using a combination of wet laboratory and bioinformatics techniques. Aside from academia, I enjoy wheel throwing, playing indoor soccer, and listening to records.
Manny's CV
Michael Castro
Jacyntha Thomas
Christopher Tamou

Undergraduate Students

Picture
Picture
​Preet Swan
My name is Preet Swan. I am currently a biology major and I hope to become a dentist. Outside of my interests in biology, I enjoy spending time being outdoors and being active. I am also a huge sports fan. My current research that I'm doing with a graduate student involves the adhC gene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Ethan Amador
I am a fourth-year biology major interested in studying the pyocyanin production of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa as well as the cold-shock proteins of Klebsiella Pneumoniae. Aside from that, I love playing tennis, watching movies, and playing video games with friends.
Navleen Brar
Briana Dahl
Alexandra Hough
Steven Loa
​Robin Ward

Former Students

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture

Erik Arteaga
Yaneth Barreto
Tyler Birges
Megan Cornel
Saika Esani
Amorette Guzman



Christian Cunningham
I am an undergraduate going into my senior year. I am interested in cephalopods (with a favoritism to octopuses) and enjoy hiking. I found my love for microbiology when I began taking courses at Fresno State and became fascinated with the world under the microscope. I hope to join a Ph.D. program in the Fall of 2018, and afterwards return to the Central Valley to work in academia.
Alex Single
Alex is working on a project with the goal of determining the status and nesting site characteristics of Black Swift (Cypseloides niger) in the southern Sierra Nevada. He works part-time for a biological consulting company and hopes to work for Point Blue Conservation Science after graduation. 
Cameron Osborne
My name is Cameron Osborne and I am a master’s student here at Fresno State. I’ve always had an interest in bugs and diseases, and I’m excited to be back in my hometown to work on a project that combines these passions. I collect ticks from recreational locations around the foothills and mountains of Fresno County to test for a variety of tick-borne diseases. I enjoy exploring and camping around my sample locations, and relax by playing with my dogs when I’m home. I enjoy my role as a TA here at Fresno State and can see myself teaching in the future. I’m also interested in the public health field and may pursue a Ph.D. after I finish my research and degree here. 
Cameron's CV
R. Lee Nelson
​I am working on characterizing the microbiota and resistome in American Crows. Next time you're in downtown Fresno at dusk, look around for some crows. My love for teaching has guided my life into a carrier of instruction through tutoring, being a TA and taking teaching courses. I like spending time in nature when I'm not in the lab.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.