Our Lab Members
Dr. Amanda K. Hodson Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor of Nematology in UC Davis Dept. of Entomology & Nematology
akhodson@ucdavis.edu
Xuyun Yang Laboratory Assistant
Xuyun has been working in nematology labs at UC Davis for 16 years. She loves to garden, knit, and cook beautiful meals for her grandchildren!
xuyang@ucdavis.edu
Laneia Pozzesi
Laneia completed her BS in Environmental Studies at Sacramento State University. She has a background in researching honeybee health at Bee Biology and would like to return to school to study Ecology focusing on plant-pollinator interactions. In her free time she loves to crochet, hangout with her dog Zuko, collect insects, and read.
Lpozzesi@ucdavis.edu
Md Shah Alam PhD Student
Shah Alam is a first-year PhD student in the Entomology and Nematology group. Currently, he is working on the synergistic effects of combined infections of Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum in tomato plants. He earned his BS from Patuakhali Science and Technology University in Bangladesh and his MS at Clemson University where he studied the management of plant-parasitic nematodes using non-fumigant approaches. He enjoys watching movies, cooking, and traveling.
msalam@ucdavis.edu
Julia Macray
MD Student
Julia is a first year graduate student in the Soils and Biogeochemistry Graduate Group. She earned her B.S. from the University of Washington in Earth Science, and has a background environmental geology as well as sustainable agriculture and soil health. Her work focuses on macrofaunal contributions to carbon and nutrient cycling. Her current project involves researching how to support earthworm populations in almond orchards. Outside of lab and field work she loves to backpack, run, climb, and ski, and always has a good book on hand!
jemacray@ucdavis.edu
Yarely Aguilar Undergraduate Student Researcher
Yarely is a 3rd year student studying Entomology with a minor in Education. She is curious about everything biology related, especially ecological relationships, and loves learning new things in the lab every day. She enjoys playing video games, spending time in nature, reading, and watching cartoons in her spare time.
yaraguilar@ucdavis.edu
Stella Winn
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Sarah Vo
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Nick Mello
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Dr. Kristi Sanchez Industry Affiliate
Dr. Janina Milkereit Lab Affiliate and Previous Postdoctoral Scholar
Past Lab Members
Carly Sussman
Junior Specialist
Carly completed her BS in Earth and Soil Science and minor in Environmental Studies at Cal Poly in sunny San Luis Obispo. She is interested by nutrient cycling, ecological restoration, agroecology, and land planning. She loves jogging among farm animals, baking sweets, and making dad jokes.
csussman@ucdavis.edu
Edeline Anthoniraj Junior Specialist
Edeline did her undergraduate degree in Biotechnology at UC Davis with a minor in Quantitative Biology and is now doing her Ph.D at NCSU in microbiology. Outside of the lab, she loves reading books and getting froyo!
eanthoniraj@ucdavis.edu
Pranesh Balasubramaniam
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Currently attending dental school
pbala@ucdavis.edu
Emily Hu Undergraduate Student Researcher
Emily did her undergraduate in pharmaceutical chemistry at UCD. She is now studying to go to pharmacy school.
emhu@ucdavis.edu
April Jungo-Garcia Junior Specialist
Currently a MS Student at Ohio State University
jungo-garcia.1@buckeyemail.osu.edu
Saira Erfan Undergraduate Student Researcher
Saira is a 4th year student in the Environmental Science and Management major, with a concentration in Ecology, Biodiversity, and Concentration. Her main research interests include ecological data statistics and analysis, and ecosystem dynamics, particularly in agriculture.
serfan@ucdavis.edu