Meet ouR lab members

principal investigator

Dr. immo a. hansen

Ph.D.: University of Wuerzburg

Post-doctoral work: University of California, Riverside, University of Konstanz

The overarching focus of my lab is on finding new ways to control vector-borne diseases. We study the molecular physiology of disease vectors to find novel ways to control them.

immoh@nmsu.edu

(575) 646-7719

laboratory manager

laboratory manager

I oversee lab operations, conduct experiments, train new employees, and provide a clean and safe environment to work in. I am also a graduate student at NMSU pursing my PhD in Biology with an emphasis on cell and organismal. My research ranges from applied repellent testing using ticks and mosquitoes to molecular research studying amino acid transport proteins in mosquitoes. I am interested in developing a wide range of skills using applied and molecular techniques, and in progressing scientific knowledge on the world’s deadliest animal to humans, the mosquito.

hailey luker

hailey13@nmsu.edu

graduate students

  • ANJALI KARKI

    anjali13@nmsu.edu

    I am a PhD student working on Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes. My research interests are in molecular biology, human health, and diseases. My research work entails formulating a blood-free diet to rear Anopheles mosquitoes, a vector of malaria, and studying sensory and molecular cues regulating oviposition-site selection in Aedes mosquitoes. I am interested in using molecular biology and mosquito behavior studies to develop novel strategies to control the spread of these deadly insects.

  • APRIL LOPEZ

    aprlopez@nmsu.edu

    I am a biology PhD student working on novel mosquito repellent strategies. I am interested in controlling mosquito populations due to the vastly dangerous diseases they transmit world-wide. Outside of the lab, I enjoy outdoor activities and volunteer work. I have a 1-year-old that takes up most of my time, we go on many walks and hikes around Las Cruces.

  • TATHAGATA DEBNATH

    tathadbn@nmsu.edu

    I am a Ph.D. student in the Computer Science Department at NMSU, specializing in Computational Biology. My research focuses on developing innovative statistical techniques for analyzing various types of biological data. Currently, I am working on a statistical method to identify alternative splicing in gene expression data. Additionally, I am interested in analyzing different omics data, including transcriptomics, proteomics/phospho-proteomics, metabolomics, and single-cell data, to uncover intriguing biological signals. Outside of my research, I enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling.

  • GABRIEL BORG

    borgabe@nmsu.edu

    I am a graduating student pursuing my master's in biology here at NMSU. My current project involves optimizing the sterile insect technique by finding ways to increase the competitiveness of irradiated mosquitoes thus improving our ability to control the population of these disease-carrying vectors. I am interested in acquiring various molecular lab techniques and have a strong passion for learning.

  • HAILEY LUKER

uNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHERS

  • Samantha Stearns

    My name is Sami and I am pursuing a biology degree here at NMSU. I am an undergraduate research assistant in the Hansen MVP lab and my future goal is to become a neuroscientist specializing in neurodegenerative disease. In my free time, I love to draw and paint!

  • Kayden Robey

    I am pursuing dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Microbiology, with minors in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Pre-Health. In the lab, I work on molecular and microbiological techniques to support ongoing projects, including experimental setup, data collection, and analysis under Dr. Hansen and our Lab Manager, Hailey. My future goal is to attend a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) program and work in clinical anesthesiology. Outside of academics, I enjoy running with my family and hiking with my friends.

  • Janae Shaklee

    The degree I am pursuing is a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, and I will be graduating this May. My role in the lab is undergraduate research for credit towards my undergraduate degree. I am working on my own experiment on optimal lab mosquito reproductivity based on blood meals under the direction of Hailey Luker and Dr. Immo Hansen. My future goals are to attend the University of Gloucestershire in England to play soccer for their UDA program while completing a one-year master's program. After that I wish to attend graduate school, either for something in research or to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

  • Gwendolyn Pickett

    I am getting my bachelor's degree in biology - I am specifically interested in entomology. I help rear the mosquitoes we use for experiments.

Laboratory Technicians

  • LEAH Herrera

    hleah@nmsu.edu

    Hello! My name is Leah Herrera and I’m a geology major! My role here at lab is a lab technician. I’m in charge of our mosquito culture and making sure the graduate students have everything they need for their research. My future goals for myself is to be a geo-technician and to work in the oil industry. A fun fact about myself is that I collect all kinds of rocks  and have over 20 rare minerals! 

  • CAMILA SUAYDE

    Pursuing B.S. in Biology with a premed track. Lab Technician. Future goal to be a pediatric cardiologists.

FORMER LAB MEMBERS

  • DR. MATTHEW PINCH

  • NATHAN MARTINEZ

  • MARIALUISA TEIXEIRA

  • YASHODA KANDEL

  • SOUMI MITRA

  • VICTORIA CARPENTER

  • HANNAH DRUMM

  • SARAH AGUIRRE

  • MARGARITA WELLS

  • ALYSON BANEGAS

  • FLORENCE SCHODERBEK

  • DR. DAVID P. PRINCE

  • DR. LISA L. DRAKE

  • DR. ANTHONY CLEMMONS

  • LAVESH BATHIA

  • ADITI KULKARNI

  • DR. HITOSHI TSUJIMOTO

  • JUSTIN DEARING

  • ALORA GARIBAY

  • DEBORAH SOUZA

  • EMILY MOORE

  • REBECCA MELENDEZ

  • ALEX MOON

  • HAE-NA CHUNG

  • JULIA VULCAN

  • KRISTINA GONZALES

  • LAUREN MERCER

  • JOEL CORDOVA

  • XAVIER JIMENEZ

  • THEODORE MUKA

  • STACY RODRIGUEZ

  • JOHN BILIOT

  • Carolyn

  • Ilse tolentino

  • Maria Chacon

  • Harley Bendzus

  • Dela Esmaeili

  • Mahesh

  • Keyla Salas

  • Paula Marcia

  • Amanda Nicole R.