Principal Investigator

Ann T. Tate, Ph.D.

I am an Associate Professor and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University (Jan. 2017 – present). My research focuses on understanding reciprocal ecological and evolutionary feedbacks between hosts and parasites, using a combination of theoretical and empirical approaches to zoom back and forth between the molecular details and the population level processes.

Before moving to Vanderbilt I was a USDA NIFA postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Houston, mentored by Tim Cooper. I completed my Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University (advised by Andrea L. Graham), and received my B.S. from Rice University.

Contact: a.tate@vanderbilt*dot*edu

CV: CV_Short_Sept2024(updated Sept. 2024)

Research Assistant

Hadi Alsaidi

*Info TBD*

Postdoctoral Fellows

Allyson Ray, Ph.D. (NSF PRFB Fellow)

I am a postdoctoral scholar since November 2022, broadly interested in the evolutionary interplay between pathogens / parasites and their hosts. In the Tate lab, I am investigating translation dynamics during the innate immune response of the Tribolium flour beetle. Prior to joining the lab, I completed my dual Bachelors in Molecular and Cellular Biology as well as Psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 2016. There, I worked in Dr. Gene Robinson’s lab studying gene networks and honey bee (Apis mellifera) social behavior, and RNAi efficacy in viral infection. In 2022, I completed my Ph.D. at Penn State University under Dr.s Christina Grozinger and Jason Rasgon, integrating multiple aspects of bee biology, field collections, experimental evolution methods, and genomic approaches to investigate honey bee – deformed wing virus dynamics and evolution after the introduction of the parasitic Varroa destructor mite. Outside of lab, I enjoy coffee, cooking, and video games. Contact: allyson.ray@vanderbilt.edu

Danial Asgari, Ph.D.

I joined Tate Lab as a postdoc in September 2023. I’m interested in the evolution of insect immune signaling pathways. Specifically, I’m interested in the role of negative regulators in shaping immune responses and host fitness
in stochastic environments. Currently, I use a combination of data analysis and theoretical approaches to study the diversity and evolution of regulatory feedback mechanisms in immune signaling pathways. I received my PhD
from the University of Houston where I researched the evolution of induced
and constitutive immune defenses in flies. Outside the lab, my interests are
poetry, philosophy, and the German language. Contact: danial.asgari@vanderbilt.edu

Reese Martin, Ph.D.

I am investigating the evolution of stage-structured immunity in anurans (frogs) using agent-based models. I completed my Ph.D. in the Tate lab using computational methods to investigate the evolution of pleiotropy in immune systems, with a special focus on co-evolutionary dynamics between hosts and parasites. Previously I worked on understanding the effects of deep brain stimulation on people with epilepsy at Yale University. Outside of lab I enjoy hiking, playing games with friends, and reading a good book. Contact: reese.a.martin@vanderbilt.edu

Graduate Students

 Louise Perrier

I am a Ph.D. candidate who joined the Tate lab in the spring of 2022 to study the evolution of the immune system using computational methods. I am currently investigating the differential expression of immune system regulators and the consequences of these variations on host fitness and evolution. I have two bachelor’s degrees, one in mathematics and another in biochemistry with a computer science minor. As an undergraduate, I also worked on research projects in population genetics and organic chemistry. Contact: louise.h.perrier@vanderbilt.edu

Rayshaun Pettit

I am a Biological Sciences PhD student and NSF-GRFP Fellow who joined the Tate lab in spring 2024. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Maryland, College Park. I am broadly interested in host-pathogen interactions and pathogen virulence evolution and have previously worked with plant and insect disease model systems as an undergrad. I am currently working to investigate the influence of variable host immune systems on the evolution of bacterial pathogens. Outside of the lab, I enjoy traveling, watching movies and playing games with friends. Contact: Rayshaun.pettit@vanderbilt.edu

Edith Simpson

I am a PhD student who joined the Tate Lab in Spring 2025. Prior to this, I earned my master’s degree in Biological Sciences from Bucknell University, where I investigated the impact of environment and diet on the physiology and immunity of the common Eastern Firefly, Photinus pyralis. I also hold a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. In the Tate Lab, my research focuses on how coinfection shapes the outcomes of parasite-mediated apparent competition among host species, as well as the evolution of resistance in larvae and adults against pathogens that are sensitive to different immune pathways. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Contact: edith.simpson@vanderbilt.edu

Fernando J.M. Barahona

I am a Biological Sciences Ph.D. student who joined the Tate lab in 2025. I study how coinfection influences the population-level dynamics, ecological interactions, and evolutionary trajectories of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum. My research combines experimental work with theoretical modeling to investigate how coinfection modulates host immune responses, reshapes interspecific competitive dynamics, and drives evolutionary change in host–pathogen systems. I am particularly interested in linking within-host processes to population-level outcomes. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Florida International University. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, playing chess, and solving puzzles. Contact: fernando.j.melara.barahona@vanderbilt.edu

 Undergraduate Students

  Phoebe Lin

I am a junior double majoring in Harp Performance and Biological Sciences, with a focus on the pre-dental track. In January 2024, I joined the Tate Lab and became a research fellow in the SyBBURE Searle Undergraduate Research Program. My research interests broadly focus on the complex regulation of immune signaling following infection, applying established techniques in innovative ways and exploring molecular mechanisms.

Sowmya Senthilkumar

I am an undergraduate student who joined the Tate lab in January of 2024. I am majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Mathematics. My work is interested in researching the evolutionary dynamics between neuronal pleiotropic genes and immune system genes, and I am currently working on investigating these effects on neurodegenerative disorders. Outside of lab, I like to make pottery, dance, and be active outside. Contact: sowmya.senthilkumar@vanderbilt.edu

Lab Alumni

Jakob Heiser (RA)

Jakob was an undergraduate researcher in the lab and then our RA for a year. He studied a variety of topics including coinfection, insect immunity, and stage structure. He is now in his first year of medical school in North Carolina.

Arun Prakash (Postdoc)

Arun joined the lab in April 2022 and pursued a variety of projects relating to the costs of immunity, coinfection, and immune gene expression across beetle stages and species. Stay tuned for his new manuscripts! He is currently pursuing a postdoc in medical entomology at Michigan State University.

Morgan Pfeffer (RA)

Morgan brought her excellent skills to our lab as a research assistant from 2023-2024. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin.

Md Sadequr Rahman (Graduate Student)

Sadiq earned his Master’s degree from the lab in 2024, where he pursued a project investigating the impact of temperature on immune system function and disease susceptibility in flour beetles.

Justin Critchlow (PhD)

Justin defended his dissertation, entitled “The role of immune regulation in host and parasite fitness”, in October 2024. He is now the Business Development Manager at Nashville Biosciences.

Alissa Williams (Postdoc)

During her time as a postdoc, Alissa investigated the evolutionary genomics of immunological pleiotropy in insects. She is currently a postdoc at the University of Minnesota.

Oscar Almanza (Undergraduate)

Carly Stewart (Undergraduate)

Carly completed an Honors Thesis on immune priming in Spring 2023. She is now pursuing an M.D.-Ph.D. in Ohio.

Katherine Zhong (Undergraduate)

Katherine completed her Honors Thesis in 2023, investigating the role of different regulatory genes on the temporal dynamics of insect innate immune responses after infection.

Siqin Liu (RAII)

Siqin researched the impact of coinfection on within-host dynamics and priority effects for disease transmission in our flour beetle system. She now works as a technician in the Diabetes Center at VUMC.

Stephanie Birnbaum, Ph.D. (Postdoc)

During her time as a postdoc in the lab (2019-2022), Stephanie experimentally evolved resistance against pesticides in the flour beetle system to understand how pesticide resistance and pesticide exposure influenced immune responses against bacterial pathogens. She is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Occidental College.

Destane Garrett (Graduate Student)

Destane earned her Master’s Degree in 2022. During her time as a graduate student, Destane investigated the physiological and fitness costs of pesticide resistance in the flour beetle system. She is currently the Biological Innovation Program Coordinator at the Vanderbilt Wond’ry.

Nora Schulz, Ph.D. (Postdoc)

During her time as a postdoc in the lab (2019-2021), Nora investigated interactions among coinfecting parasite species and their impact on infection outcomes and host immune responses. She is currently a postdoc in Joachim Kurtz’s lab at the University of Münster.

Jessica Hernandez, Ph.D. (Postdoc)

Jessica enjoyed a short stint as an NSF PRFP Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab, working on the evolution of parasite transmission mode, before landing her dream job as the Director of Grants and Fellowships at Whitman College.

Justin Buchanan (Postdoc)

Justin was a USDA NIFA Postdoctoral Fellow (2019-2021) investigating the role of metabolism in host resistance and tolerance to infection, and the interaction of infection and circadian rhythms. He is currently a Postdoc in Jessica Hite’s lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Thi Ngo (Graduate Student)

Thi earned her Master’s degree in the lab in Summer 2021, employing computational methods to investigate the impact of pleiotropy on immune system evolution. She is currently pursuing her passion for art and opportunities to explore science through art.

Ana Torres (Undergrad)

Ana was an undergraduate Biology major (Class of 2021) who completed her Honors Thesis on characterizing the role of cellular and humoral immune responses against naturally occurring parasites in flour beetles. She is headed to medical school to pursue a career as a physician.

Abby Perry (Undergrad)

Abby was an undergraduate Biology major (Class of 2020) from Mississippi. Her work in the lab focused on differences in immune gene transcription between larval and adult beetles. Outside the lab, her interests include music, running, and Russian language. She is now an Exchange Teacher in Japan (JET Program).

Faith Rovenolt (Undergrad)

Faith was an undergraduate EEOB major (Class of 2020) who completed her Honors Thesis on modeling coinfected host competition and coexistence. Outside of the lab, her interests include sketching, writing, and being out in nature. She is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Pittsburgh.

Yongjia Deng (Undergrad)

James was an undergraduate Biochemistry major (Class of 2020) from West Virginia. In the lab, he worked to define the contribution of dietary macronutrients to host defense against microbes. He is now pursuing postbaccalaureate research opportunities.

Anna Borchers (Undergrad)

Anna was a Molecular and Cellular Biology major (Class of 2020) from San Francisco, CA. Her work in the lab focused on genotype-specific coinfections in flour beetles and microbial genomics. She is now pursuing a career in global humanitarian research and aid in the health sector.

Derrick Jent (RA-II)

Derrick previously worked on fungal infections in spiders and crickets, and most recently delved into the mysteries of citrus greening disease. As a Tate Lab member, he applied penchant for insect infection systems to study host-microbe interactions during co-infection.

Emma Blackford (Undergrad)

Emma was an undergraduate Environmental Studies and English major at Oberlin College (Class of 2020) originally from Nashville, TN. She is interested in ecology and invertebrate biology, and in the Tate lab primarily researched gregarine parasites and their relationships with Tribolium beetles. She is now pursuing a career in ecology and conservation.

Kelsey Auman (Undergrad)

Kelsey was an undergraduate student (Class of 2018) from Buffalo, NY majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology.  Her work in the lab focused on transmission methods of the parasite Farinocystis triboli in flour beetles. Outside of the lab, her interests include volunteering, traveling, and music.

Elizabeth Greer

Elizabeth is currently a biology and biomedical science teacher at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, TN. Her background is organismal biology with a B.S. and a Master in Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Elizabeth volunteered in the summer 2017 completing research with Tribolium beetles. In her free time, she is often grading and planning lessons for amazing students… but also loves going to concerts and music festivals, going on adventures with her husband and dogs, and visiting with her family.