Kevin Bonham

I am a microbiologist and immunologist using computational methods to explore the relationships between the human gut microbiome and childhood cognitive development, and to understand complex microbial communities. I also teach about the immune system and infectious disease, as well as introductory programming for biology students, and am interested in investigating and addressing barriers to women entering computational biology.

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Shelley McCan

I am a microbial ecologist with experience in marine microbiology and trace metal biogeochemistry. I earned a M.S. in Oceanography from the University of Connecticut where I studied methyl bromide metabolism by marine microbes and microbial sulfur cycling in stromatolites. From there I moved west to the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, CA where my work focused on the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of Mono Lake, CA. After enjoying many sunny years in CA, I’m happy to back on the east coast and working in the VKC lab at Wellesley. I’m excited for the opportunity to explore microbial ecology in New England biomes, to expand my experience to the human microbiome, and to share my knowledge and love of growing anaerobes.

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Alexa Gross ('21)

I'm a Neuroscience and Studio Art major passionate about systems neuroscience, mental health, and the intersection of art and science. I enjoy working with microbes in a combined science and art context.

Jacquelyn Cai ('22)

I am studying Neuroscience and Computer Science at Wellesley. I am working on the ECHO project with Hannah, summarizing general trends in the metadata. After college, I want to work in the healthcare industry. In my free time, I enjoy playing on the squash team, baking, and working out.

Stephanie Consuegra ('22)

I am junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biochemistry. While participating in the First-Year Apprenticeship Program with the VKC Lab I quickly fell in love with all things "microbes". I began learning how to speak, read, and write the language of microbiology which had been foreign to me since I previously had law school in mind. Shortly after, I realized that my love for the natural sciences was growing and that I should pursue this new passion instead. I did just that as I took on a novel project studying the differing soil microbial communities across the wet and dry biomes through the lens of a well-known resilient plant, Rhoeo spathacea, in the newly built greenhouse on Wellesley's campus: The Global Flora Conservatory in the Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses. I am currently working on this project and look forward to continue exploring the intricacies of soil to soil and soil to plant microbial relationships.
My tentative plans are to attend medical school after taking a gap year once I graduate, although I am certainly open to those plans changing. If there is one thing I have learned at Wellesley it is this: change is bound to happen, learn to embrace it.

Vanja Klepac-Ceraj

I study microbial ecology, looking at the dynamics that govern microbe-microbe interactions, mechanisms that drive nutrient cycling, and how microbe-microbe interactions drive human and environmental health. We address these questions using a combination of culturing and enrichment techniques, quantitative molecular approaches, metagenomics, and modeling.
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Hannah Dong ('22)

I am interested in biology and film studies. I am working on the ECHO project with Jacquelyn. Together, we use R Studio to understand the metadata. Outside of the lab, I am a part of the Wellesley Asian Dance Organization and the Chinese Student Association. I have not planned what I want to do after college, so I am excited for what the future holds.

Cassie Potter ('23)

I plan on majoring in biochemistry and minoring in Chinese, but as a rising sophomore, nothing is set in stone yet. I do not yet know what project I will be working on in the lab, so I am excited to see what the future holds in terms of the direction of my research. I love being able to better understand the world around me through scientific research (especially about microbes!), and I hope to use my passion for scientific discovery to help others, in whatever form that ends up taking. When I'm not in the lab or submerged in a p-set, you can find me playing on the lacrosse team or being an RA in the best dorm on campus (Bates).

Catherine Dhennezel ('21)

I am studying Biology and Psychology and I am particularly interested in the interaction between physical and mental health. I am currently working with probiotics, their relationship with the gut microbiome and if the claims they make are true . I am a pre-med student and I hope to keep working on health related topics after I graduate. Outside of lab I really enjoy cinema and going to concerts!

Aditi Kannan ('22)

I am majoring in Biochemistry and interested in minoring in music. In lab, I will be investigating the microbial community in bokashi fertilizer with Nisreen. I hope to go into research in the future, though I am still exploring different scientific paths! Outside of lab, I am on Ministrare Council, I am a DJ for the college radio (WZLY), and I play the violin in Chamber Music Society.