lab members
Dr. Yifan Wang
Principal Investigator
Dr. Yifan Wang received his D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree from Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China, and then obtained a Ph.D. degree in Molecular Parasitology at Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China. In November 2015, Dr. Wang started his postdoctoral training with Dr. Jeroen Saeij at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). In September 2021, Dr. Wang became an Assistant Project Scientist in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology at UC Davis. Dr. Wang began his independent career as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School in January 2023.
Email: yifwan@med.umich.edu
Ariel Lindholm
Lab Manager
Ariel graduated in 2023 with a B.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity with a minor in Applied Statistics from the University of Michigan. Her plan for the future is to attend graduate school with the goal of becoming a scientist who works on improving Agricultural systems. She is passionate about genetics and microbiology, and hopes to use what she has and will learn to transform and optimize our food network. Ariel volunteers with the environmental nonprofit organization Croton100, and has a background of working with the Public Health Sustainability Initiative and in Chemistry and Biology labs in undergrad. In her personal life Ariel loves painting and biking, has a cat named Taxi, and her favorite series is the Lord of the Rings.
Email: arielkl@umich.edu
Dr. Jiawen Fu
Postdoctoral Fellow
Jiawen received her bachelor's degree in biotechnology from Harbin Normal University, China. She obtained her Ph.D. degree in Preventive Veterinary Medicine from the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in June 2023. Jiawen joined my lab as a postdoctoral fellow in October 2023. Her research focuses on understanding how Toxoplasma effector proteins modulate host innate immune signaling in macrophages and contribute to infection in different host species. In her spare time, Jiawen enjoys listening to music and appreciating the emotion and power it conveys.
Email: jiawenfu@med.umich.edu
Dr. Nidhi Bub
Postdoctoral Fellow
Nidhi received her bachelor's degree in biotechnology from Atmiya University, India. She obtained her Master’s degree from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India. In January 2024, she obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular Parasitology from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India. Nidhi joined the lab as a postdoctoral fellow in April 2024. Her research focuses on determining the host restriction factors that contribute to the control of Toxoplasma gondii infection. In her spare time, Nidhi enjoys running, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
Email: nidhibub@med.umich.edu
Audrey DeGroot
Graduate Researcher
Audrey is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology. She obtained her bachelor’s degrees in English Literature & Fine Art (Photography) from Albion College in 2016 before serving with Peace Corps Guinea from 2016 to 2018. She obtained her MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan in 2023, where she worked with Dr. Joseph Eisenberg and Dr. Manuel Calvopiña, studying the zoonotic potential and temporal determinants of parasites in coastal Ecuador. She is interested in host-pathogen interaction, in particular novel pathogen emergence. In her free time, Audrey loves sewing, reading, and visiting the world’s largest attractions.
Email: adegroot@umich.edu
Priscilla Ofosua Gyan
Visiting Master's Student
Priscilla is a visiting master’s student from the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Ghana. She graduated in 2021 with a BSc. in Medical Laboratory Sciences and is currently enrolled in MPhil Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases at the University of Ghana. Her research interests are centered on infections that have a profound impact on maternal and neonatal health, leading her to study Toxoplasma pathogenesis and anti-parasitic host response in my lab. She aspires to use her future studies and research training to improve the general health of mothers and babies, particularly within Africa. In her free time, Priscilla enjoys listening to music, watching movies, and having wholesome conversations with family and friends.
Email: pgyan@umich.edu
Lily Weirich
Undergraduate Researcher
Lily is a sophomore studying Microbiology and Spanish on the pre-med track. Lily learned Spanish as part of an immersion program through my elementary school and, as a result, is a certified Bilingual Spanish speaker. Her goal for the future is to become a physician who works to improve health equity and who treats patients who speak both English and Spanish. Lily enjoys meeting new people and is very active and involved in the University community. She volunteers at the University hospital and is a part of the Spanish club, the pre-med club, and acts as a hall head for KGrams where she coordinates handoffs and writes letters to local elementary school children. Outside of University activities, Lily loves running, swimming, reading and being outdoors and have completed races ranging from a 5k to a marathon.
Email: lweirich@umich.edu
Samantha Shaffer
Undergraduate Researcher
Samantha is a junior studying Microbiology and working toward a minor in Latin. Her goal for the future is to attend graduate school and become a researcher in the field of genetics and disease. She is very interested in conducting research related to the genetic component in cancer and Alzheimer's disease. She has had work experience so far in both a production lab and an industry position as a study management intern. Samantha is a member of the Red Cross Club and volunteers with different organizations through the club. In her free time, Samantha enjoys playing soccer and ice hockey as well as reading and baking.
Email: samshaff@umich.edu