Our Team

Flavia Bossi (Senior Research Associate and Lab Manager, Carnegie)

Since college, I have always been interested in the regulation of gene expression; promoters and transcription factors are still my favorite areas of study. Following that interest, I joined Patricia Leon’s lab at the Instituto de Biotecnologia (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico) to work on the functional characterization of an AP2/ERF transcription factor involved in the glucose signaling pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. It was a challenging Ph.D. project that excited, frustated, and at times puzzled me. Early in 2010, I decided to join Sue Rhee’s lab to study a family of regulatory proteins important for another level of gene regulation – targeted degradation of proteins. I was drawn to the Rhee lab for several different reasons. 1- to try to grasp the way of thinking of bioinformatitians (learn basic bioinformatics along the way), 2- to be part of an interesting multidisciplinary group, 3- looking for something new and outside of my comfort zone. Even though science eats up most of my time, I do have other interests. My most beloved hobbie has always been dance, both taking classes and enjoying dance performances. Moving to the Bay Area introduced me to another art form which is now one of my hobbies too: taiko drumming. And last but not least, I have a family-shared pastime: to play video-games. Favorite console? Nintendo DS … by far.

Gaëlle Cassin-Ross (PMN Outreach and Training Coordinator, MSU)

I earned my Ph.D. in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry from the University of Sciences in Montpellier, France, in 2009, where I focused on the role of nicotianamine and its transporters in iron homeostasis. Afterward, I joined Michigan State University (MSU) as a postdoctoral researcher to study the role of novel peroxisomal proteins across various developmental stages, including germination, etiolated seedlings, and senescence, as well as in response to pathogens. My dual project was part of both Jianping Hu and Sheng Yang He labs. Toward the end of my postdoc, I transitioned into a lab manager role, where I discovered a passion for supporting researchers, mentoring students, and fostering collaborations among scientists. Since 2023, I serve as the Outreach and Training Coordinator in the Rhee lab, where I develop and implement outreach activities aimed at engaging the scientists and general public. Outside of work, I run a French language business, Aux Petits Soins, and cherish spending time with my family. Together with my husband and boys, I enjoy participating in community activities, exploring the outdoors, and traveling.

Charles Hawkins (Biocurator & Plant Metabolic Network Director, MSU)

I received my Ph.D. from U. Maryland under Dr. Zhongchi Liu, where I studied the ways in which gene expression and hormones come together to shape the parts of the flower and worked on a new model of the role of auxin in fruit development. I also worked on pipelines for genomic analysis in strawberry and identified the mutation behind yellow strawberries’ color. I previously received a BA in physics and computer science from U. Maryland. After receiving my Ph.D., I worked for two years as a postdoc at the USDA-ARS Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research Unit in Prosser, WA under Dr. Long-Xi Yu, working on automated pipelines for genomic selection for abiotic stress tolerance in alfalfa. I joined Rhee lab in August of 2018 as BioCurator of the Plant Metabolic Network. I develop, maintain, and curate the Plant Metabolic Network, a free online database of plant metabolism (https://plantcyc.org). I maintain the website, direct curation of new information into the database, and develop the back-end pipeline that generates the databases. I am also involved in genome-scale metabolic modeling and in developing a web database for protein sub-cellular localization data in Sorghum. Finally, I provide general IT-related technical support to the lab when needed.

Elena Lazarus (Scientific Coordinator, MSU)

I received my B.S. in chemistry with a minor in English and an ACS certification in biochemistry from the University of Portland in 2019. While in college, I worked in two laboratories (the Hoffman lab and the Weilhoefer lab) on research focused on extracting, identifying, and quantifying compounds from plants. In 2018, I was a National Science Foundation Boyce Thompson Institute Plant Genome Research Intern in the Moghe lab at Cornell University. Prior to joining Carnegie, I also worked at the Oregon Health and Science University on the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s peer review editorial board from 2017 to 2019. In the Rhee lab, I work on a variety of interdisciplinary projects using molecular and chemical techniques to study novel genes and mechanisms. In my free time, I love to cook and bake, read, and go hiking.

Maricar Macalincag (C-SPIRIT Program Manager, MSU)

I received my M.Sci. in plant breeding and genetics from Michigan State University, where I did my research on quantitative trait loci of canning quality traits in kidney beans. After being an at-home mom to my two boys, my path back to MSU took many turns, including as a freelance writer and professional blogger (when blogging was still in its infancy). From 2015 to early 2025, I was the genomics program coordinator for hereditary cancer, the MI HEARTSafe Schools, and rare diseases at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Joining C-SPIRIT has allowed me to come full circle, combining my love for the plant sciences and experience with grant coordination. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family and friends. I also volunteer for a food rescue organization in the Greater Lansing area.​​

Johanna Murray (Center Grant Communications Coordinator, MSU)

Johanna Murray completed her undergraduate studies in Journalism and Political Science at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan before moving to East Lansing to complete her master’s degree in Health & Risk Communication at Michigan State University. A firm believer that good communication can solve almost any problem, Johanna loves to tackle the challenge of crafting and disseminating messages to mass audiences. As a member of the Rhee Lab, Johanna oversees the communication for The Plant Cell Atlas, The Water and Life Interface Institute, and the Plant Metabolic Network. By being the communication coordinator for these three grant projects, Johanna gets to share the incredible research done by her colleagues to engage individuals both in and out of the scientific community with the importance of plant science. In her free time, you can find her training for tri-sports (swimming, cycling, or running), reading a book, spending time with family and friends, or relaxing with her cats.​

Karine Prado (Senior Research Associate and Lab Manager, MSU)

I received my PhD from the University of Montpellier (France) where I studied the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling the hydraulic properties of Arabidopsis thaliana rosette in response to environmental stresses. Then I joined the University of Edinburgh (UK) as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. I studied the contribution of non-transcriptional mechanisms to biological timekeeping of the pico-alga Ostreococcus tauri and how light and thermo-sensitive phytochrome photoreceptors regulate chloroplast RNA processing and photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. At Carnegie Institution for Science (Stanford, CA), as a Senior Research Associate, I studied the mechanisms of thermoadaptation of a desert extremophile C4 plant to improve crops in response to increasing temperatures. I continue this project as a Research Specialist at Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI). I am also involved in the development of a new pipeline to assign biological meaning to unknown metabolites from metabolomics data and the study of cellular recycling pathways in Zea mays leaves.

Ashley Stender (C-SPIRIT Outreach and Promotion Coordinator, MSU)

Ashley studied molecular genetics and nutritional sciences as an undergraduate at Michigan State University. She then went on to receive an M.A. in Science Writing at Johns Hopkins University. As a science communicator, Ashley is passionate about helping scientists share their work with broader audiences through writing and graphic design. As the Outreach and Promotion Coordinator for the Center for Sustainable Plant Innovation and Resilience through International Teamwork (C-SPIRIT), Ashley oversees communications, works with the Broader Impacts team, and supports the program coordinator. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and cats, playing video games, and traveling.

Joanna Feehan (Postdoctoral Scholar, MSU)

My scientific career has formed from diverse experiences. I completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing before a Masters Degree in Cell Biology studying retinopathies using Xenopus laevis tadpole models at the University of British Columbia. For my PhD, I joined the lab of Jonathan Jones at The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, UK where I used biochemical approaches to understand signaling mechanisms in plant-pathogen defensee responses. As a postdoc here at Carnegie, I am working in the lab of Sue Rhee to understand the mechanisms of extreme heat-adaptation by Tidestromia oblongifolia using population genomics approaches.

​Danielle Hoffmann (Postdoctoral Scholar, MSU)

Danielle did her undergraduate studies at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, majoring in Plant Biology and Biochemistry. She went on to do her PhD in Plant Molecular Biology at Michigan State University in Dr. Yair Shachar-Hill’s group, studying lipid biochemistry in a model green microalgae. She is working on engineering improved resilience to drought in the oilseed crop pennycress as well as developing a genome-scale metabolic model for pennycress. Her work integrates plant physiology, transcriptomics, and plant biochemistry.

Bethany Holland (Postdoctoral Scholar, MSU)

​I am interested in using computational methods to identify metabolic engineering strategies for improving plant growth under changing environments. I earned my master’s degree in industrial mathematical modeling from the Loughborough University, and doctorate in plant sciences (supervised by Colin Osborne, Richard Clayton & Nick Monk) from the University of Sheffield. My PhD focused on modelling plant growth by investigating source-sink dynamics using ODE modelling. Since then, I worked as a postdoc with Stephen Long at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign building and analyzing whole-plant genome scale metabolic models of nitrogen symbiosis to assess the carbon cost of nitrogen fixation in soybean. In the Rhee lab, I build and analyze multi-scale models of plant metabolism to identify strategies that enhance growth under abiotic stress. My current projects focus on improving drought tolerance in Sorghum bicolor and pennycress, simulating C4 and C3 photosynthetic metabolism respectively, with plans to build new metabolic models of Blepharis and Flaveria to investigate the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. Through these projects, I aim to uncover metabolic strategies that support plant resilience and productivity in diverse environmental conditions. In my free time, I love going to the gym, cooking and watching movies. ​

Purva Karia (Postdoctoral Scholar, Carnegie)

I received my PhD from University of Toronto in the lab of Dr. Keiko Yoshioka. My PhD research focused on the subcellular localization, function and the importance of post-translational modification of Arabidopsis tail-anchored protein, Triphosphate Tunnel Metalloenzyme 1 (TTM1). I have always been interested in understanding plant hormone signaling and the significance of the protein post-translational modification. In the Rhee and Ehrhardt labs, I will be working on the Sorghum Metabolic Atlas project to unravel the localization and functions of Sorghum metabolic enzymes. Outside of the lab, I enjoy camping, hiking, baking and visits to the dog park with my furbaby.

Yingtao Li (Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Tsukuba)

Barno Rezaeva (Postdoctoral Scholar, MSU)

I received my Ph.D. from the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Germany. My doctoral research focused on the development of advanced biotechnological methods, including doubled haploid technology, plant regeneration, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and genome editing. My research interests lie in plant molecular biology, biotechnology, and genetic engineering with an emphasis on understanding cellular mechanisms and improving crop traits.
At the Rhee Lab, I am establishing a protoplast system in maize to investigate whether autophagy-related transcription factors influence the expression of their target genes. I am also developing an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol for pennycress to introduce a candidate gene aimed at enhancing germination capacity under drought conditions. In parallel, I am studying the timing of germination commitment in pennycress, hypothesized to occur between testa rupture and radicle protrusion.
Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, cooking, reading novels, and watching historical films.

Katherine Rivera-Zuluaga (Postdoctoral Scholar, MSU)

I’m a Molecular Plant Pathologist and Gene Discovery Scientist with expertise in plant disease resistance mechanisms, genomics and metabolic engineering. I graduated from Purdue University in 2023. My PhD research at the Iyer-Pascuzzi Lab contributed to impactful studies characterizing the root-mediated resistance mechanisms in the diageotropica tomato mutant against Ralstonia solanacearum, revealing that the resistance response involves SA-dependent and independent pathways, xylem barriers and enhanced water stress tolerance. I worked at Corteva Agrisciences as a Gene Discovery Research Scientist, contributing to the Corn Disease Resistance and Seed Composition programs. I joined the Rhee Lab and C-SPIRIT in the summer of 2025. My project focuses on high-throughput metabolite discovery to enhance plant resilience against fungal pathogens and abiotic stresses such as heat and drought. Outside the lab, I enjoy food (I consider myself a foodie and I’m searching for the best taco place in the US), live music, dancing, and spending time with my dog, Lana Queen!

Matt Stata (Postdoctoral Scholar, MSU)

I am an evolutionary biologist and plant physiologist with an interest in the convergent evolution of complex traits and the evolutionary genomics of plant resilience under various stresses.  One of my major interests is in the evolution and function of C4 photosynthesis, as it represents a paradoxically complex yet highly convergent trait.  My PhD at the University of Toronto focused on the evolution of C4 photosynthesis in a new and largely unstudied genus, Blepharis (Acanthaceae).  In 2022 I joined the Rhee lab at the Carnegie Institution for Science in California, and in 2023 I moved to Michigan State University.  I am currently working on single-cell transcriptome studies of drought tolerance in sorghum and autophagy in maize, both important C4 cereal crops.  I also work on the evolution of thermotolerance in Tidestromia oblongifolia (Amaranthaceae), a C4 eudicot which thrives in Death Valley.  In April of 2025 I was awarded a PRI Seed Grant to use single-cell transcriptomics and stable isotope resolved metabolomics to study C4 evolution in Blepharis and Flaveria (Asteraceae) using a comparative approach which aims to leverage evolutionary convergence as natural replicates.  I also program in Python, R, and Julia, and have worked on the development of various software tools including UnigeneFinder, an automated pipeline for reducing redundancy in de novo transcriptome assemblies.  Outside of research, I am interested in electronic music, photography, gardening, horticulture in general, cycling, and cats.  Oh, and I grow gourmet mushrooms.

Jacob Gantz (Research Assistant, MSU)

My name is Jacob Gantz, I am a 2022 graduate of Lyman Briggs College at MSU with a BS in Biology. I am originally from metro Detroit and spent most of my life in the area. I originally became interested in plant biology while doing undergraduate research studying the effects of plant viruses on the traits of switchgrass. I continued plant virus ecology work in the Malmstrom Ecology Lab as a lab technician. There, I worked on a variety of projects ranging from studying interactions between plant viruses, mycorrhizal fungi, and oats to identifying novel viruses in paw paw and wild ryegrass. I am very excited to continue my work in plant biology in The Rhee Lab. In my free time I enjoy going for long walks, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, cooking, baking, and taking care of my plants!

Katie Philipps (Research Assistant, MSU)

I graduated from Michigan State in 2024 with a B.S. in Zoology and Plant Biology. During my time as an undergrad, I developed a love for research when I joined Dr. Miranda Haus’ lab. In the Haus lab I was involved with a variety of cool root biology research, but the hallmark was a project I led that examined the roots of common bean seedlings. In this project we investigated the variation of four plastic root traits, with a special focus on their genetic regulation and impact on fungal pathogens. With this project I developed an interest in genomics, and I am excited to explore this further in the Rhee Lab while working on single cell sequencing. When I am not in the lab, I like to spend time with family and friends, sew and crochet, and discover new music and movies.