Reston Microbiology Laboratory (RML): Who We Are
Our Research
The Reston Microbiology Laboratory (RML) is a research and fee-for-service laboratory in the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center (GEMSC). The lab conducts research in the fields of microbial ecology, geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry, and the hydrologic sciences.
Dr. Denise M. Akob
Research Microbiologist
Contact:
Email: dakob@usgs.gov
Phone: 703-648-5819
Education:
Ph.D. in Biogeochemical Oceanography, 2008
Department of Oceanography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
Advisor: Dr. Joel E. Kostka
B.A. in Biology, 2002
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Alexis Painter
Biologist
Contact:
Email: apainter@usgs.gov
Phone: 703-648-6496
Education:
B.S. in Microbiology, 2023
Northern Arizona University
Former Group Members
Kaylene Charles
Lab Technician July 2012-September 2013
Darren Dunlap
Lab Manager August 2012-September 2015
Education: M.S. in Marine Science, 2012 University of South Florida; B.S. in Microbiology, 2008 The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Current Position: Microbiologist at Boeing Research & Technologies, The Boeing Company
Christian Go
Volunteer for Science Intern, May-August 2013
Jean Michael Chanchu
Volunteer for Science Intern 2013; Student Contractor 2014
Bryan Saldana
Volunteer for Science Intern, 2014
Education: Postbacc, 2015 Virginia Commonwealth University; B.S. in Biology, 2013 George Mason University
Current Education: Indiana University Medical School Class of 2022
Benedita Pinto
Volunteer for Science Intern, 2014
Eric Tang
Flint Hill High School Intern, 2014
Melissa Harrington
NAGT Intern 2014
J. Grace Klinges
Volunteer for Science Intern, 2014; Student Contractor, 2014-2015; Haverford senior thesis, 2014-2015; Hydrology Field Assistant Intern, 2015
Education: B.S. in Geology, 2015 Haverford College
Current position: Graduate Student at Oregon State University with Dr. Rebecca Vega Thurber
Andrea Fraser
Volunteer for Science Intern, 2014; Student Contractor, 2014-2015
Education: B.S. in Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, 2014 George Mason University
Current position: Ph.D. Student at Johns Hopkins University, Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, website
Yoona Jun
Volunteer for Science Intern 2014; Student Contractor, 2015
Matthew Olson
NAGT Intern, 2015
Current position: Graduate Student at University of Utah with Dr. Summer Rupper
Hannah Backman
Biological Field Assistant Intern, 2015-2016
Education: B.S. in Environmental Science, 2016 University of Virginia
Current position: GIS Technician with the city of Saratoga's Community Development and Public Works Departments
Charlie Quinn
Volunteer for Science Intern 2016 and 2018
John Swiecichowski
NAGT Intern 2016
Education: B.S. in Earth Sciences, 2016 University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Current position: Hydrologic Technician, USGS Oregon Water Science Center
Tadd Alexander
Biological Field Assistant Intern, 2016-2017
Education: B.S. in Environmental Science and a Minor in Green Engineering, 2017 Virginia Tech
Aubrey Dunshee
NAGT Intern, 2017
Education: B.A. in Earth Sciences, 2016 University of Minnesota
Current position: Graduate Student in Earth Sciences at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Dr. Crystal Ng, website
AJ Doane
Biological Field Assistant Intern, 2017
Education: Junior at George Mason University, pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in microbiology
Amy Springfield
Volunteer for Science Intern, 2017, Student Contractor 2018
Education: Pursuing a degree in Biology at the University of Virginia
Yesha Shrestha
Lab Manager, 2016-2018
Education: B.S. in Molecular Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, 2014, George Washington University; B.S. in Biology, 2011. Christopher Newport University
Robert Andrews
Microbiologist, 2016-2019
Education: M.S. in Environmental Science & Policy, 2011, George Mason University; B.S. in Environmental Science, 2004, Virginia Tech
Adam Mumford
Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow
Education: Ph.D. in Environmental Science, 2013, Rutgers University; B.S. in Microbiology, 2004, University of New Hampshire
Mitra Kashani
Masters Student, 2018 – 2020
Education: M.S. in Biology, 2020, George Mason University; B.S. Biology, 2018, George Mason University
Current Position: ORISE Fellow at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Timothy Bushman
Intern, 2019 – 2020
Education: B.S. in Microbiology, Minor in Green Engineering, 2019, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Current position: Ph.D. Candidate at The University of Alabama
Bridgette Polite
Intern, 2019 – 2020
Education: B.S. in Laboratory Management, 2022, University of Maryland Global Campus
Current position: Biologist with the USGS Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
Peter Bouwma
Volunteer for Science
Education: Ph.D. in Biology, 2006, Florida State University; B.S. in Biology, 2000, Calvin College
Current position: Biology Teacher at Chantilly High School
Marisa Mihori
Volunteer for Science Intern
Current Position: Undergraduate student at The College of William and Mary
Sanskruthi Sreepangi
Intern, 2022 – 2023
Education: B.S. in Biology, 2023, George Mason University
Current position: Master’s student at George Mason University
Jared Foepel
Volunteer for Science Intern, 2023
Education: M.S. in Environmental and Green Chemistry, 2023, George Washington University; B.S. in Environmental Geoscience, Minor in Political Science and Chemistry, 2021, Purdue University
Current Position: Researcher 1 Akima Contractor for the USGS National Minerals Information Center
Cassandra R. Harris
Biologist, 2019 – 2023
Education: M.S. in Marine Studies, 2019, College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware; B.S. in Marine Science, 2017, Savannah State University
Current Position: Biologist for the EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Fate and Effects Division (EFED)