People
Current and Former Lab Members
Natalie C. Steinel
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Associate Director for Training
Center for Pathogen Research and Training
My research interests lie in understanding the complex cellular and molecular interactions that occur between a parasite and its host. I am particularly interested in developing threespine stickleback into a model organism for the study of vertebrate adaptive immunity.
The University of Texas at Austin
Postdoctoral Advisor: Dr. Daniel Bolnick
The University of Pennsylvania
Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology
Advisor: Dr. Craig Bassing
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Science, Cell and Molecular Biology
Bachelor of Arts, French
Abdelmounaim Nouri
Postdoctoral Research Associate
My work focuses on organ-on-chip technology and immune system-microbiome interactions with the goal of developing protocols to enable the real-time study of stickleback-microbiome interactions in a microfluidic chip. When I'm not in the lab, you can find me biking, running, or looking for a new recipe to try.
University of Sciences and Technology
Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology
Advisor: Dr. Laraba-Djebari Fatima
University of Sciences and Technology
Master of Science, Bioengineering.
University of Sciences and Technology
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry.
Saraswathy Vaidyanathan
Applied Biology PhD Candidate
My research focuses on understanding fish adaptive immune response to immunization and heavy metal pollutants. Specifically, I use spatial transcriptomics to characterize the melanomacrophage center response and stickleback adaptive immune cells.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Master of Science, Biotechnology
Avinashilingam University for Women
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Alexandra Collias
Applied Biology PhD Student
My research focuses on the host immune response to parasite infection. I am using the threespine stickleback and its tapeworm parasite Schistocephalus solidus to investigate the effects of infection and excretory-secretory products on fish innate and adaptive immunity.
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
Honors Thesis Advisor: Dr. Nicolai Konow
Jayden Kinuthia
I am assisting Abdelmounaim Nouri's research in the gastrointestinal system of stickleback fish with the goal of studying real-time microbiome interactions on a fluidic chip. In addition, I am pursuing a career in dentistry and am interested in working in pulp regeneration.
Ainsley Skinner
I am a sophomore at UMass Lowell pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology. I am interested in pathogen research as well as evolution and ecology. The Steinel Lab is my first experience working in a research lab.
Jared Gorman
Biological Sciences Undergraduate
Pre-med track
Research Assistant
I am currently assisting Saraswathy Vaidyanathan in researching melanomacrophage center responses in stickleback fish. My other research interest is in immune responses to cancer.
Stacia Szafran Lally
Biological Sciences Undergraduate
Pre-med track
Minor: Disabilities Studies
Research Assistant
I am currently studying the presence of melanomacrophage centers in multiple species of stickleback. I am interested in pursuing a career involving pediatric genetics research and treatment.
Sarah Kimball
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate
Research Assistant
I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. I intend to get my degree in general biology. My research works with different tardigrade species and their immunological processes. When I'm not in the lab, you can find me Drawing and making music!
Annie Cary
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate
Research Assistant
I am currently assisting Alex Collias’ research, by observing how parasitic infections can affect the melanomacrophages in the spleens of threespine stickleback. In the future, I am hoping to pursue a career in disease research.
Parker Schaufus
Biological Science
Undergraduate
Research Assistant
I am an undergrad at UMass Lowell pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biology. I am interested in immunology and invertebrate related research.
Former Lab members
Undergraduate Research Assistants: Trevor Cordwell
Undergraduate Immersive Scholar: Sonia Shah
Fish Care Technicians: Maria Baez Calderon, Erica Giuffrida, Mary Tibbetts
Postdoctoral Research Associates: Ahmed Attaya
Public Health MS Practicum: Olivia Smith
Undergraduate Honors Thesis/Project: Andrea Albano, Kelli Burke, Maeve Moynihan, Princess Paul, Gordon Sears, Elsa Diffo Tiyao
















Undergrad, masters, PhD, and postdoctoral trainees are encouraged to contact Dr. Steinel.
List of current projects available in the Steinel lab
The Steinel Lab provides equal opportunities for all regardless of age, disability, sexual orientation, race, country of origin, language, gender, gender expression, military service, or religion.