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Reston Microbiology Laboratory (RML): Who We Are

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

Denise Akob profile photo for RML About page
Denise Akob, Research Microbiologist, GEMSC.

 

Research Microbiologist

Contact:

Email: dakob@usgs.gov

Phone: 703-648-5819

USGS Staff Profile

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

ORCID: 0000-0003-1534-3025

Google Scholar Profile

 

 

Alexis Painter

Alexis Painter, GEMSC
Alexis Painter, Biologist, GEMSC.

 

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)