Research Team

  • Dr. Ioana Emilia Pavel - Physical Chemistry Professor

    Dr Pavel’s research has been recognized by the American Chemical Society Omega in the "Women at the Forefront of Chemistry" issue along with 49 other leading female scientists from around the world. In her personal time, Ioana enjoys spending time with her family, friends, students, and being outdoors.

  • Kyra Kaiser - Graduate, Biomedical Sciences/Chemistry

    My current research focus is on the development of alternative antimicrobial agents to address the issue of bacterial antibiotic resistance. I am also interested in exploring the role of the personal microbiome in immune deficiencies. Upon graduation, my goal is to attend medical school and become a physician. In my free time, I enjoy collecting plants and drawing.

  • Wendy Rangel - Graduate, Biology

    I am currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Biology under the collaborative advising of Dr. Gregory Buck and Dr. Ioana Pavel. I have completed my undergraduate research in chemistry education and have laboratory work experience in the petrochemical industry. I hope to further my research experience during my time at TAMUCC to ultimately return to industry with greater knowledge in the field of chemistry and microbiology.

  • Laurynn Torres - Graduate, Marine Biology

    I am a native Washingtonian with a dream of having my own rehab facility for both marine and terrestrial wildlife, my background is in wildlife ecology/conservation and marine ecology/society. I plan to have a long professional career with NOAA doing ecological research and working with endangered species

  • Lauren Reyna – Honors Research, Biochemistry

    I am an honors undergraduate biochemistry student, research assistant, nationally certified Emergency Medical Technician, and aspiring physician with training and knowledge in lab practices and emergency medicine. I am excited to further the field of medicine through my contributions to the underserved and through my research on nano-applications to anticancer drugs.

  • Nasanna Henley - Honors Research, Biomedical Sciences

    I am currently pursuing a degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in philosophy. I plan to attend medical school after graduation in hopes of becoming a pediatrician or obstetrician. I am also very passionate about mentoring and teaching. I currently work as an undergraduate Chemistry lab teaching assistant and mentor for supplemental instructors on campus. In my free time, I love to read, write, and cook.

  • Eduardo Amador - Undergraduate, Environmental Science & Studio Art

    I am pursuing research opportunities in healthy environmental practices and medicinal plants as part of Dr. Pavel's team. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors and drawing. 

  • Hector Watt - Undergraduate, Environmental Science

    I hope to graduate with a bachelor's in environmental science in spring of 2026 and then enter the workforce or continue into a master's program. I hope to get a job in conservation or a related field.

  • Renata Vega - Undergraduate, Biomedical Sciences

    I am currently working under the guidance of Kyra Kaiser on research focused on the development of alternative antimicrobial agents to address bacterial antibiotic resistance. I aim to apply the technical and personal skills gained through my involvement with Pavel Lab to my future independent research and my professional aspirations of attending medical school after graduation and obtain a degree in medicine.

  • Christina Gonzalez - Graduate, Chemistry

    I am currently working as a Chemistry lab teaching assistant while doing research under my great advisor Dr. Ioana Pavel. My research focuses on Public Health as I work with counterfeit aspirin tablets. As I work on completing my master's degree here on the Island, I have discovered a love for teaching. I hope to gain more experience as I continue to work along such great mentors and professors. My future goals are to be able to continue my education and attend medical school and God-willing become an Obstetric and Gynecologist Doctor with a focus on maternal fetal medicine. Until I get there, I am enjoying my time here at the university where I continue to learn and grow both as a person and educator. I am grateful to be here and admire the friends and mentors that are around me.

  • Victoire Delattre - Graduate, Chemistry

    I am determined to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry and become a researcher in the field of nano-related science. As a French national and member of the TAMU-CC Tennis Team, I am driven to achieve my academic objectives and personal aspirations.

  • Alex Aromin - Graduate, Marine Biology

    After I graduated with a BSc in Biology Environmental Science from Montana State University, Billings, I worked as a research assistant in a plant ecology lab at the University of Montana. Shortly after, I received my MSc in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!). Currently, I am a PhD student in the Marine Biology program. My research focuses on examining the ecological and evolutionary implications of long-term exposure to contamination in marsh plants and microbial communities. Outside of graduate school, I am an avid gamer (board games and video games) and collect plants and mushrooms.

  • Daniel Adams - Laboratory Technician

    I graduated from the University of San Antonio with a B.S. in Biology, focusing on microbiology & organic chemistry. I later completed the A.S. programs in Process Technology and Environmental/Petrochemical Laboratory Technician at Del Mar college. I have extensive past experience in zoology, horticulture, medicine education and marine water chemistry.

  • Christina Montez - Undergraduate, Environmental Science

  • Chisom Anijekwu - Undergraduate, Environmental Science

Former Students

Graduate Students

  • Nicholas Shropshire - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Praveen A. Kumar - Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences

  • Arathi Sesha L. Paluri - Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences

  • Marjorie M. Markopoulos - Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences

  • Seth W. Brittle - Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences

  • Lirim Sopaj - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Kristina N. Steingass - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Mia Burnett - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Ashley Wilcox - M.S. in Chemistry

  •  Miriam Crane - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Kelsey Hood - M.S. in Chemistry

  • John Ryan - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Kraig Strayer - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Greg Bowers - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Ali Md. Akbar - M.S. in Chemistry

  •  Kevin O’Neil - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Jessica Dagher - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Daniel Foose - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Michelle L. Edwards - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Jessica L. Fraley - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Kevin M. Dorney - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Jessica Dagher - M.S. in Chemistry

  •  Adam C. Stahler - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Catherine B. Anders - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Joshua D. Baker - M.S. in Chemistry

  • Arathi Sesha L. Paluri - M.S. in Pharmacology and Toxicology

  • Marjorie M. Markopoulos - M.S. in Pharmacology and Toxicology

  • Jennifer Monahan - M.S. in Chemistry

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)

  •  Avianna Christine Gay - Chemistry

  • Kyra Kaiser - Biomedical Sciences

 

SLOAN Ph.D. Student, Puerto Rico

  • Genesis Lorenzana Vazquez

 

Grad-Prep Student

  • Candra McDonald - B.S. in Biology

 

Honors Undergraduate Research Students

  • Nhi Lam - Chemistry

  • Austin Williams - Biology

  • Peter Papaioannou - Neuroscience

 

FSU-RISE Undergraduate Student

Juliely Niyogushima - Chemistry

 

STREAMS Undergraduate Students

  • Janeishly Román González

  • Jasmine Johnson

  • Juliely Niyogushima

Undergraduate Research Students

  • Benjamin Jordan - Biochemistry

  • Avianna Christine Gay - Chemistry

  • Jordan Lamar - Chemistry

  • Samuel Herndon - Biomedical Engineering

  • Jessica Williams - Chemistry

  • Caitlyn Harris - Biomedical Engineering,

  • Patrick Graska - Crime and Justice Studies

  • Paula L. Silva - Biology

  • Josh A. Stanley - Health and Fitness

  • Whitney Danet White - Biology

  • Jeremiah D. Penick - Chemistry

  • Stefanie Grace Burban - Biology

  • Marien Chantal Dusabe - Chemistry

  • Matthew Muncrief - Biology

  • Peter Papaioannou - Neuroscience

  • Gilman Alexander - Pre-Med

  • Allison Lee Raskan - Chemistry

  • Kristina Noelle Steingass - Chemistry

  • Stephanie Williamson - PreMed

  • Benjamin Secor - Biomedical Engineering

  • Travis A. Keeling - Chemistry

  • Caleb J. Hemmelgarn - Biomedical Engineering

  • Janice M. Sikon - Chemistry

  • John D. Ryan - Chemistry

  • Cody B. Fourman - Chemistry

  • Ashely M. Wilcox - Chemistry

  • Miriam Crane - Chemistry

  • Nhi Lam - Chemistry

  • Daniel Foose - Chemistry

  • Trevor Bobka - Chemistry

  • Valerie N. Dagher - Chemistry

  • Allie Meyerhoefer - Environmental Sciences

  • Tala Ebrahimian - Biological Sciences

  • Elizabeth Williams - Biological Sciences

  • Austin Williams - Biological Sciences

  • Zachary Arnold - Chemistry

  • Tazeen Ahmed - Biological Sciences

  • Diane Iragena - Chemistry

  • Alice Chang - Chemistry

  • Tai Lam - Clinical Laboratory Science

  • Garrett Case - Biomedical Engineering

  • Kent Weaver - Chemistry and Physics

  • Jessica Dagher - Chemistry

  • Jerry K. Lawson - Biological Sciences

  • Emily Artz - Psychology

  • Alekya Mudireddy - Biomedical Engineering

  • Brent Kirkland - Chemistry

  • Megan Solis - Chemistry

  • Victoire Delattre - Chemistry

  • Kyra Kaiser - Biomedical Sciences

High school students:

  • Jeremiah Penick

  • Susu Saleh

  • Rebecca Gresh