Technician
Myles Covington
Lab Manager mac502 [@] miami.edu |
Myles Covington
I am the Lab manager for the EPIC lab. I graduated from Florida International University with my bachelors in biology, focusing on the disciplines of genetics, botany, and environmental conservation. My prior research experience was hosted by my previous university and Fairchild Tropical and Botanic Garden’s Million Orchid Project, where I investigated methods in preserving populations of Florida’s native and endangered orchids. I was drawn to UM and the research community here and am excited for the opportunity to diversify my research and be welcomed to the world of environmental toxicology. I was recently awarded an NIH NIEHS Fellowship to study the neural genetic mechanisms by which selenium mitigates the adverse effects of cadmium. My goal is to eventually attend a graduate PhD program for genetics and bioinformatics. My most active hobbies include tending to my plant collection and discovering new music. |
Graduate Students
MD Imran Noor
PhD Student mxn833 [@]miami.edu |
MD Imran "Noor"
I am a Biology Ph.D. student at the University of Miami. My concentration is environmental toxicology, particularly how heavy metals (cadmium) affect behavior, neural biology, and cellular biology in zebrafish. Previously I completed my master's in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. In my master's, I focused on pesticides' effects on goldfish. I am a huge fan of popular science educators like Sir David Attenborough, Carl Sagan, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and Brian Cox. My favorite leisure activity is watching movies and, playing interactive games with friends, spending time with my wife and family. |
Jessica Okutsu
PhD Student jokutsu [@]miami.edu |
Jessica Okutsu
Hello! My name is Jess and I am a PhD student in the EPIC lab. I graduated from UC Davis with a BS in International Agricultural Development. I worked for a private ecotoxicology testing and consulting laboratory for six years and spent the latter two years as a project manager. I then returned to academia to study the effects of microplastics on the feeding behavior of Daphnia magna. I am currently working on a project investigating the effects of stormwater pollutants from Miami’s historically redlined districts on the behavior and reproduction of Danio rerio. |
Undergraduate Researchers
Jalen Gordon
Zebrafish Visual Development Team Twitter: @flashjalen IG: @Jalen.Gordon jeg265[at]miami.edu |
Jalen Gordon.
I am currently a junior biology major and am pursuing a health management minor at the University of Miami. My goal is to continue on to medical school and go into physical medicine and rehabilitation. I am studying strain differences in the optomotor response across development. My favorite part of the lab so far is analyzing different strains under the microscope. I am also a sprinter on the Men’s Track team. My favorite past times are playing video games with my friends and hanging out with my girlfriend. |
Makeda Walker
Zebrafish Visual Development Team mxw997[at]miami.edu |
Makeda Walker. I am a Senior at the University of Miami, majoring in Biology and minoring in Mathematics. After graduating from UM, I plan on enrolling in a medical school and one day going into the surgical field. During my undergraduate career, I participated in research in New York City on the topic of air toxicology that participated in the petition for greenspaces near my college campus. Through that experience, I grew my appreciation for research and will now be researching the effects of cadmium on zebrafish via their optomotor response. Cadmium studies have shown negative effects on the body and behavior of organisms; my hope is through this research we can further analyze these effects and further sociological connections. Outside of research, on campus, you may find me either participating in the Caribbean Students Association or Women in STEM meetings. During my free time, I love going out with my friends and family, going to the gym, and watching movies. |
Ethan Bentley
Zebrafish Visual Development ejb184[at]miami.edu 
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Ethan Bentley.
I am currently a junior at the University of Miami majoring in microbiology and immunology. I am interested in public health and after I graduate, I plan to attend a graduate program so that I can pursue further research interests. Outside of the lab, I am involved on campus through my clubs and organizations including Scientifica, a student run magazine, Project Public Health and Scuba Diving club. As an Eagle Scout, the work at this lab is particularly meaningful because it connects environmental impacts with how the health of the community can better be served. Michael Niemirski I am a freshman at the University of Miami majoring in Microbiology and Immunology, with the hope of obtaining a dual degree in Public Health. I plan on attending graduate school and getting into larger scale research or becoming an epidemiologist for the health department. After working with zebrafish in one of my lab courses, I wanted to learn more about the effects toxic substances have on them and how that might translate to humans. Aside from the lab, I’m also a part of Club Swim, Student Government Supreme Court, and Get Out The Vote. In my free time, I enjoy writing short stories and exploring new places with my friends. Instagram: @michal.n29 Hui Qiu I am a senior at the University of Miami majoring in Biology. I am in EPIC lab currently working on the transgenerational effect of Cadmium on zebrafish’s behavior and physiology. I am planning to go to graduate school so I volunteered in EPIC lab. Research experience I am gaining will be very beneficial for me as I can learn experimental design, multiple lab techniques and research methods. My area of interests is ecology, animal behavior and marine biology (and maybe environmental toxicology?). My ultimate goal is to be a middle school teacher in international school back in China. In my spare time I love staying at home and playing online video games. I am also an amateur pianist. |
Lab Alumni
Tatiana Mailli
Zebrafish Visual Development Team tdm97[at]miami.edu 
Patrick Janssens
Zebrafish Visual Development Team paj64[at]miami.edu |
Tatiana Mailli. I am currently a junior at the University of Miami studying Health Science on the pre-medical track. I have minors in dance and psychology. My dream job is to become an Obstetrician-Gynecologist! A little more about me, some of my favorite activities are going to the beach, dancing, and being with friends and family. My favorite animal is the red panda! I am interested in how the environment affects social behavior. As the NAACP Environmental Justice Chair at the University of Miami, exploring how the environment, from toxic substances to social relationships, affects your development within yourself and interactions with others. The smallest things, the naked eye cannot see, could alter a big portion of social behavior. Patrick Janssens.
I am a junior at UM majoring in Global Health Studies with a minor in Spanish. I am interested in understanding the impact of environmental features on human health particularly. |