Hi, I’m Adena! I’m a first-year Ph.D. student in Biological Sciences at University of Maryland co-advised by Prof. Mihai Pop and Prof. Allen Collins. I use metagenomic assembly methods to investigate exciting questions about co-evolution between microbes and their hosts.
My previous research focused on microbial eukaryotic biodiversity and genome evolution in Prof. Laura Katz’s Lab and strain engineering in Prof. Nina Lin’s Lab. I also assessed data accessibility in microbiology manuscripts as a bioinformatician in Prof. Pat Schloss’s Lab.
While there, I started volunteering as a certified Software Carpentries Instructor. I currently instruct workshops with the Smithsonian Institution Carpentries chapter.
Outside the lab, you can find me playing kickball, rugby, or reading zines.