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Alexandra L. DeCandia, Ph.D.Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Biology, Georgetown University Assistant Director Regents STEM Scholars Program, Georgetown University Research Associate Center for Conservation Genomics Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Alexandra (Allie) DeCandia joined Georgetown University in August 2021 as an Assistant Teaching Professor [CV]. As a researcher, Allie applies tools and concepts from molecular ecology, disease ecology, and conservation biology to inform wildlife management in captivity (e.g., black-footed ferrets) and the wild (e.g., Channel Island foxes and Yellowstone National Park wolves). As an educator, she applies a student-centered learning approach to actively engage students and trainees with material, while equipping them with skills and confidence to pursue scientific exploration. As a communicator, she shares her love of science with elementary through high school students through classroom visits, with the public through non-technical science writing, and with colleagues through peer-reviewed articles and presentations at scientific conferences. Outside of her work, her favorite activities include hiking (especially in National Parks!), exploring new cities, experimenting in the kitchen, and finding creative ways to be more eco-friendly. |
RISE Students
Adriane LonghurstUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024 - Spring 2024
Research Team: RISE Georgetown University, Class of 2025 Major: Environmental Biology & Russian Adriane is a senior in the college, coming to DC from Switzerland, although originally from London. Although her interests remain broad, this doesn't diminish her passion for conservation, environmental humanities, scientific history, and the importance of all creatures, big, small, and really, really small, to our planet. Outside the lab, you can find Adriane volunteering in the Makerhub or practising her rollerskating in the HFSC dance studio. Adriane is very excited to be a part of this year's RISE cohort in the DeCandia Lab! |
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Mary NguyenUndergraduate Research Assistant, Spring 2022-Fall 2022; Fall 2024-Spring 2025
Research Team: Salt Marsh Microbiomes & RISE Georgetown University, Class of 2025 Major: Environmental Biology Minor: Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs Mary is a senior from Houston, Texas. Through experience in environmental research, policy, and education, Mary builds upon an interdisciplinary commitment to sustainable agriculture. She is curious about the role of microbial communities in developing improved food and growing systems. Mary is eager to work toward global climate resiliency through nature-based solutions. On campus, you can find her leading Catholic retreats and tending to the flower gardens! |
Carly RauhUndergraduate Research Assistant, Spring 2022-Fall 2023, Fall 2024-Spring 2024
Research Team: Salt Marsh Microbiomes, Urban Watershed Microbiomes, & RISE Georgetown University, Class of 2025 Major: Environmental Biology Minor: Science, Technology, and International Affairs Carly is a senior in the College from Reno, Nevada and from a young age, she's always loved nature and getting outdoors! She's interested in soil microbiomes and the effect that climate change has on ecosystems and biodiversity. She's a TA for Foundations in Biology I and II, and in her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, going to concerts, and watching reality TV. |
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Environmental Microbiomes
Regents STEM Scholars Program Research Team
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David Chen MaUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024-Present
Research Team: Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2027 Major: International Business (Regional Focus: Latin America) Minor: Chemistry David is originally from Mexico but was raised in Brooklyn, NY by parents of Asian heritage. He has always been passionate about exploring how microbiomes and science can be interpreted to advance environmental programs and communities. As a sophomore in the McDonough School of Business, he hopes to combine his passions for business and STEM to foster a more inclusive healthcare system. Outside of the lab, David is an active member of the Georgetown Scholars Program, GU Minority Association of Pre-Health Students and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. In his free time, David enjoys art, fashion, real estate and trying new local coffee shops. |
Anastasia DuenasUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024-Present
Research Team: Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2025 Major: Biology Anastasia is a senior in the College majoring in Biology. She is native to the DMV, having spent most of her life growing up in various parts of Virginia. Anastasia’s interest in microbiomes and the environment stems from Biology-based coursework she took during the spring 2024 semester. She is interested in learning more about the intersection of these topics and incorporating this knowledge in her future research related to public health. Additionally, Anastasia is involved in the Students of Color Alliance (SOCA), Society of Advancement for Chicanos and Native Americans in STEM (SACNAS), and volunteering in her community. |
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Andrea EsquivelUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2023-Present
Research Team: Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2026 Major: Biology of Global Health Minor: Public Health Andrea Esquivel, originally from Mexico but raised in Los Angeles, California, possesses a unique blend of backgrounds and interests. With a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and environments, she has a profound passion for microbiology and its impacts on organisms, both positively and negatively. She joined this lab because she is particularly interested in understanding how microbiomes contribute to making habitats habitable and maintaining the health of organisms. Beyond her academic pursuits, Andrea expresses her cultural roots as a Mexican folklore dancer, indulges in crochet design, and finds serenity in the beauty of beaches and forests. |
Sophia FarmerUndergraduate Research Assistant, Spring 2023-Present
Research Team: Salt Marsh Microbiomes & Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2026 Major: Biology Minor: Environmental studies Sophia is a sophomore in the college from Detroit, MI. She was drawn to the DeCandia lab because of her interest in learning more about microbes, data interpretation software, and strategies. Throughout her time in college, she wants to explore the environmental programs and courses offered in habitat conservation and environmental health. Sophia has previous research experience with studying the microbial diversity of vineyard grapes, leaves, and soil during the summer before her freshman year. In her free time, she loves to draw, read, and explore new scenery! |
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Soo HanUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024-Present
Research Team: Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2027 Major: Nursing Soo is from a small town in Washington called Federal Way, located 45 minutes from Seattle. Her interest in microbiology started in summer 2023 when she participated in research about various microbes surrounding vineyards at a local winery through Georgetown's Community Scholars Program. In her free time, Soo likes to watch movies, ride bikes with her friends at night, and shadow medical professionals at MedStar. She is exited to join this lab and gain new experiences and meet new friends along the way! |
Jeffrey LiuUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024-Present
Research Team: Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2027 Major: Economics & Biology [undecided] Minor: Science, Technology, & International Affairs Jeffrey is from Delran, NJ, but was raised in China for the first four years of his life, shaping a unique cultural perspective. He is fascinated by geopolitics, especially in the form of countryballs, the evolutionary development of linguistics, and classics inspired by reading Greek myths in middle school. A summer course he took before beginning college sparked his passion for microbes, inspiring deeper exploration into research for the intersection of science, policy, and his other interests. Outside of academics, Jeffrey is involved in GIRA/GIRC and J-net, enjoys hiking or just being outside, biking, binge-watching anime, and making art. He is excited to join the Environmental Microbiomes team to further explore scientific interest. |
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V MejiaUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024-Present
Research Team: Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2027 Major: Biology Minor: Global Health V was born and raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Nothing besides science caught her eye all throughout high school and especially not after taking a biology class at Georgetown her junior year. After taking foundations 1 and 2, V learned that biology is a wide variety of concentrations; she is dedicating sophomore year to broadening her scope and experiencing different fields. For this lab, she's excited to research how microbes, something so minuscule in size, can impact the environment and bodily functions. She's also excited to be with a group of peers who have the same passion for science. V's personal interests consist of playing volleyball and squash, and both just admiring and actually planting plants. |
Sara MeleseUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2023-Present
Research Team: Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2026 Major: Human Science Sara was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada but comes from Ethiopian descent. Her main interests are in pharmacology and human physiology. She has always been fascinated about how alterations in our physiology can be treated or even alleviated with the usage of pharmaceutical drugs. However, Sara also has a deep interest in understanding the impact of environmental issues on the health of communities. She is excited to have this opportunity to explore microorganisms in a local ecosystem and apply this knowledge to her interest in environmental health! |
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Giovanni RiosUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024-Present
Research Team: Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2027 Major: Neurobiology Giovanni Rios is a born and raised Chicagoan, where he observed the way the world works. From lead pipes, nonpoint pollution, and, at times, hazardous air, Gio grew his awareness of the impacts of human activity on urban environments. As a Regents STEM Scholar, Gio was excited to join the DeCandia lab because of the focus on conservation ecology through observation at the most fundamental scale of an ecosystem, the microbiome. He is looking forward to practicing software and programming skills for genetic analysis and applying them in his future pursuits. In his free time, Gio likes to take walks on cool mornings to appreciate the historic Georgetown architecture or engage in some sort of social activity with friends. However, it is far more likely to find him, Bluetooth mouse in hand, playing video games. |
Ashley RodriguezUndergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024-Present
Research Team: Environmental Microbiomes Georgetown University, Class of 2027 Major: Biology of Global Health Minor: Spanish Ashley is a sophomore in the college from Chicago, IL. Her interest in joining the DeCandia Lab stemmed from the experience she had with microbiome research during the Community Scholars Program's microbiome summer course. Ashley finds it so interesting how microbiomes play a crucial role in our everyday lives. Apart from her academic interests, on campus Ashley is part of the cheer team as well as a choreographer for Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Georgetown. In her free time, Ashley enjoys weightlifting and listening to music, especially by Mexican artists. |
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Lab Mascot
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Stella RaeLab Mascot
Stella Rae was adopted from Worthy Dog Rescue in January 2021, and soon after joined the DeCandia lab as the official lab mascot! She is interested in the local D.C. wildlife, and is particularly fond of squirrel- and bird-watching in Rock Creek Park, Glover Archbold Park, and Georgetown Waterfront Park. Outside of her work in the lab, Stella enjoys going for neighborhood walks, zooming around the living room, making new friends as one of Georgetown's "dogs-in-residence", taking long naps on the couch, and watching football games and the Great British Baking Show with her humans. 
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