Simon Lab Alumni

Jefrin Thomas (REU)

As a 3rd year Biological Sciences Major I started working in the Simon lab during the spring 2018. My research focused on investigating the gut microbiomes of cicadas and the role of bacterial symbionts within them. I am specifically interested how bacterial symbionts change across hybrid zones and different habitats. I worked with New Zealand Kikihia species examining their gut microbiomes.

Alexandra Porczak

I am interested in the field of bioinformatics and its applications in phylogenetic research. By combining computer science, engineering, and systematic biology, I used mitochondrial DNA from the New Zealand Cicada species Maoricicada, along with recombinant DNA, to assemble, analyze, and compare cicada genomes.

Allegra Bargnesi

My research focused on the species Kikihia angusta and K. murihikua. My goal was to create a phylogeographical genealogy to study their relatedness and their geographical distribution throughout the South island of New Zealand and how this relates to past climate and geological changes.

Spencer Bennett

I started working in the Simon Lab as a third-year Environmental Science Major. I am interested in the intersection of science and policy, specifically climate policy. In 2021 I helped to map the emergence of Brood X periodical cicadas in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and performed educational outreach along the way. I became interested in Magicicada species because they are bioindicators of changing climates. Their juvenile growth cycle depends on, but not limited to, growing-season length, which we hypothesize can trigger an earlier emergence given significant climate warming.

Jason Vallionis (REU)

I investigated the gut microbiomes of closely related cicada species and their hybrids. Specifically, used metagenomic methods to characterize differences in gut microbiomes and to see if these differences correlate with habitat shifts in the hybrids. After graduating from UConn, I attended graduate school at the Universtiy of Rhode Island studying marine microbial ecology.

Diane Hassanieh

Diane Hassanieh aided in DNA extraction and amplification as well as sequence editing for samples discussed in “The periodical cicada four-year acceleration hypothesis revisited: Evidence for life cycle decelerations and an updated map for Brood V” by John Cooley et. al. 2018. She presented this research at a student competition for the CT Entomological Society as well as UConn’s annual Frontiers Undergraduate Research Poster Exhibition. She further aided in work such as DNA extraction and PCR for the continuation of a previous undergraduate’s thesis as well as other projects under the mentorship of Simon Lab graduate student Diler Haji.

Fajar Alam

As a Molecular and Cell Biology student I worked in The Simon Lab throughout the Spring 2018 semester. In collaboration with other Simon Lab researchers, I assisted in the extraction, sequencing and mounting of cicada species from Argentina. My interests revolve around the health applications of insects and many of the techniques I have learned in the Simon Lab will greatly benefit my future research endeavors in the health professions.

You can view all other former undergraduate students on our old website.