Meghan Graber
Paul Kastner
I grew up in Norfolk, Virginia, and graduated from Geneva College with a B.S. in Biology and minor in Chemistry. I am driven by a deep-seated curiosity concerning Nature's most remarkable survivors and chemists: microbes! In my free time I enjoy swing dancing, cooking, hiking, and adventures.
In my project, I aim to provide insight into the unique biosynthetic potential of cave-dwelling microorganisms and contribute to the discovery of novel antibiotics.
Publications on 
Max Van Belkum
Max is originally from Oahu, Hawaii and was raised in Destin, Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida where he earned a B.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science and a B.S. in Nutritional Science, two degrees he believed would equip him to study the intestinal microbiome. He then spent two years as a molecular biology research scientist at a startup biotechnology company in Gainesville, FL before committing to the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Medical Scientist Training (MD/PhD) Program in Nashville, TN.
In his free time, Max plays ping-pong and tennis, goes to trivia, spends time with friends and explores Nashville.
Max has longstanding interests in the intersection of intestinal function, microbiota, mucosal immunology, metabolism, nutrition, microbiology, and human disease. He is interested especially in the potential role of microbiota in metabolic syndrome and in the etiology of the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in individuals below 50 years of age. He plans to become an academic gastroenterologist physician-scientist with clinical duties and a laboratory to one day bridge the exploding basic science findings in the microbiome field with the relative dearth of clinical treatments currently derived from them.
The intestinal microbiome of preterm infants
Kyle Enriquez
Immunocompromised hosts are a growing population with underserved, yet specific, needs with regards to infectious disease incidence and clinical outcomes. I work to understand the fundamental biochemical, microbiological, and clinical factors that influence infectious outcomes in these highly vulnerable host populations through basic science research on MRSA biofilms in the context of nutritional immunity, and through clinical research on infectious diseases in the post-transplant population.
Yasmine Toudji
Kyungeun Kim, B.S., M.S.
Alex Blatt
Alex is from Sausalito, California and graduated from the University of San Diego earning a B.A. in Biochemistry in 2022. He immediately joined Vanderbilt University through the IGP and the Pua lab in 2023. In his free time he enjoys playing the piano.
I investigate the function of T cell extracellular vesicles and their contribution towards the pathophysiology of allergic airway inflammation and disease using both molecular and cellular approaches.
I study how cytokine cargoes are associated with T cell extracellular vesicles and together how they enhance cellular immune function. I love playing the piano and I also enjoy playing pickleball, tennis, and going rock climbing with friends when it's not extremely hot outside.
Alyssa Jarabek
Alyssa grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended Valparaiso University in Indiana for her dual B.S. in Chemistry and Biology. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, singing, sewing, and reading.
Alyssa's research focuses on understanding the role of inflammation and dysregulation of immune signaling pathways in bone marrow failure diseases such as myelodysplastic syndromes and leukemias.
Publications on 
My research focuses on the role of infection and inflammation on TET2-mediated disease progression using the model of innate immune memory. My hobbies are cross-stitching, playing piano and other musical activities, and spending time with my many pets.
Isabella Sirit
I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in Westfield, Indiana. In May 2022 I graduated from Purdue University where I obtained my Bachelor's in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology. During my undergraduate career, I worked with Dr. Majid Kazemian on EBV-associated cancers. Following my graduation from Purdue, I joined Vanderbilt in 2022 through the IGP!
In the Peek lab, we are interested in the pathogenesis of H. Pylori induced gastric cancer. My research focuses on the role of different immune factors, such as STING, on disease progression.