Jacob Jaszczak, PhD [jay-zak]
Jacob’s passion for biology research began at Michigan Technological University where he earned his BS degree and studied diatom biosilicification. After obtaining his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in Cell and Developmental Biology with Dr. Adrian Halme, he began his research in neuroscience as a postdoctoral scholar with Dr. Yuh-Nung Jan at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and University of California, San Francisco. His favorite backyard bird is the cactus wren and he enjoys biking on the local trails and hiking to find petroglyphs.
Douglas Hooton
I studied Drosophila population genetics during my undergraduate at UC San Diego while working in the National Drosophila Stock Center before earning a MS degree at UC Los Angeles with Dr. Stephen Hubbell studying the diversity and spatial dynamics of heart-rot fungal pathogens. I’m now excited to be working on behavioral and cellular nociceptive responses to chemical stimuli in Drosophila larvae. When not in the lab, I spend much of my time playing with my dogs, Rudy and Benny, or running the trails in the Organ and Franklin Mountains.
Jannatul Mahmuda
I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Bangladesh. During my master’s research, I worked with hypertensive pregnant women, investigating the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and hypertension. I later earned a second master’s degree from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at New Mexico State University (NMSU), where I gained research experience in cancer biology. Currently, I am pursuing my PhD in the Interdisciplinary Molecular Biology program at NMSU. My research focuses on understanding the effects of chemotherapeutic agents on the sensory nervous system. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling to new places, gardening, reading and seeking out new experiences. I’m always curious to explore whether it’s a new scientific question, a new destination, or simply something I’ve never tried before.
Bashar Allataifih
I graduated with my B.S. degree in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles. Now as a NMSU Thesis Master’s student in Biology, I will be focusing on steroid hormone regulation of neuron development. Ultimately, my plan is to continue my studies in medical school to further help the people of New Mexico. I enjoy traveling, going on walks and playing any sports..
Micaela Roacho
I'm a Thesis Master's student at NMSU and have lived in New Mexico my whole life. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in biology at NMSU, where I discovered my love for biology research. I will be doing my thesis on multimodal sensory functions to prepare for my goal of continuing neurological research and becoming a neurosurgeon. I have a dog that I often take on hikes and enjoy relaxing by reading or playing video games.
Carmen Gemoets
I’m currently an undergraduate student at New Mexico State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. I’m excited to gain experience in a research lab. I find many biological mechanisms fascinating, especially neurodevelopmental topics. After graduating I plan on pursuing a career in medicine, with hopes of becoming a doctor. I love love love listening to music. I also enjoy painting, crocheting, and any form of arts and crafts.
Alumni of the lab:
- Elias Merchant — 2024: Undergrad Research student, now a medical intern
- Raul Chavez — 2025: Research Assistant, now a Medical Technician
- Lauren Farrar — 2025: Capstone Honors student, now a Pathology graduate student applicant
- Jocelyn Sanchez — 2024-2025: Biology Masters student, now an ORISE applicant
- Janet Gomez — 2024-2025: McNair Scholar, now a gradschool applicant
- Kaitlin Victorian — 2024-2025: NM-AMP Scholar, now a MS student
- Jaiden McClellan — 2026: Undergrad Researcher, now a Research Assistant
- Jaime Arroyo — 2024-2026: Masters Thesis, now a Biological Consultant
- Vanessa Pando — 2024-2026: Masters Thesis, now a medical intern