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Dr. Huang Microbial Ecology Lab

Our Research

With the vast functional and metabolic diversity, microorganisms are integral to all the earth’s ecosystems; however, they change constantly throughout time and space. Meanwhile, the intensive human activities and global climate changes pose great challenges and complications for the understanding of their dynamics and the quantification of their roles in contributing to ecosystem functions and health. Hence, my research has aimed to explore the roles that microorganisms play in adapting to and mitigation of global changes.​ using the combination of classical techniques (qPCR, amplicon sequence, isotopes), state-of-the-art omics (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metabolomics), and bioinformatic tools (high-performance computing, Python, snakemake, R program).

To be specific, my research is in the interface among Microbial Ecology, Bioinformatics, and Environmental/Soil Science in the changing world, and spans two directions:

(1) Community/restoration ecology--an assembly of the soil microbiome in diverse ecosystems and their response (resistance and resilience) to the changing environments;

(2) Microbial evolution and diversification--evolution and diversification of microbiome related to nitrifiers and denitrifiers, and their controls on global nitrogen cycling and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the links to soil fertility and health.

Meet The Team

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Laibin Huang (Principal Investigator)

I love microbes in different environments and the research related to how they adapt to environmental changes and control global N cycling and greenhouse gas emissions.

EDUCATION
2013-2017        Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology                  University of Florida, USA              

2009-2012        M.S. in Environmental Ecology           Beijing Normal University, China            
2005-2009        B.S. in Ecology                                    University of Science and Technology Beijing, China     

 

Email: laibin.huang@slu.edu                                         CV

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Sabita Ghimire (Postdoc)

My research interests are focused on environmental microbial diversity and the physiological activities of environmental microbes.  My Ph.D. research focused on the ecophysiological characterization of ammonia-oxidizing microbes. I also acquired expertise in identifying microbes through molecular tools like PCR, cloning, and Sanger sequencing. In addition, I experienced shotgun sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.

EDUCATION
2023        Ph.D. in Microbiology                  Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA              

 2016        M.S. in Microbiology                   Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal            
2011        B.S. in Microbiology                    Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal     

 

Email: sabita.ghimire@slu.edu                                       

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Nikky Omole-Ohonsi (PhD student)

 

Microbiology has always fascinated me, drawing me into the world of these seemingly “invisible organisms” and their profound impacts on our world. This passion led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, where I researched characterizing microbial communities found in cassava roots and their impact on human health. Currently, I am focused on nitrogen fixation dynamics in corn and soybean cropping systems in St. Louis, Missouri. Using molecular analyses, I examine the differences in nitrogen fixation rates and the abundance of nitrogen-fixing genes (nifH) in these two cropping systems. Other than research, I enjoy movies, dancing, and exploring new places with friends.

EDUCATION
2024-Present        Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology                  Saint Louis University, USA              

2015-2019            B.S. in Microbiology                            University of Lagos, Nigeria            
 

Email: ebun.omoleohonsi@slu.edu                                        

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Muni Sai Ganesh (Grad student)

 

I'm a master's student in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology at Saint Louis University, USA. My background is in Agricultural Sciences from ANGRAU, India. I'm passionate about using computational methods to promote organic farming and reduce pesticide and fertilizer use. My research focuses on applying bioinformatics to sustainable agriculture challenges.

 

EDUCATION

2023 - Present      M.S. Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Saint Louis University, USA

2018 - 2022           B.S. Agricultural Sciences, ANGRAU, India

 

Email: munisaiganesh.perala@slu.edu

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Deepak Sunkavalli (Grad student)

I am a master's student in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology at Saint Louis University, with a foundational background in Agricultural Sciences from ANGRAU, India. My research integrates computational techniques to advance plant genome sequencing and microbiome analysis, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity. I focus on leveraging bioinformatics tools for comparative genomics, metagenomics, and single-cell RNA sequencing in plants, animals, and associated microbiomes, driving improvements in yield and environmental resilience. 

EDUCATION

2023 - Present      M.S. Bioinformatics & Computational Biology       Saint Louis University, USA

2018 - 2022           B.S. Agricultural Sciences                                     ANGRAU, India


Email: deepak.sunkavalli@slu.edu

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Hannah Hellmeier (Undergrad student)

 

Hi, I am a junior here at Saint Louis University studying Spanish and Forensic Science on the Pre-med track. I am passionate about the environment and am on the e-board for Ecology Club and Green Billikens. I enjoy learning about how humans and climate change are impacting the environment at the microbial and microscopic levels, and I look forward to researching the relationship between the two. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, reading, and watching The Big Bang Theory.

EDUCATION
2020-Present        B.S. in Environmental Science (Pre-Med Track)  Saint Louis University, USA   

 

Email: hannah.hellmeier@slu.edu                                        

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