Lena Hunt, PhD
Postdoctoral researcher

Dr. Lena Hunt is an experimental plant biologist interested in how plants perceive and respond to their environment. Originally from Upstate New York, she earned her PhD from Charles University in Prague, studying the protective role of phenolic compounds in grasses to high irradiance and climate change conditions. So far, she has specialized in combining plant anatomy with histochemistry and ecophysiology to understand the fascinating ways plants modify themselves to suit their surroundings. As a postdoctoral researcher, Lena is excited to be working on the anatomical and developmental underpinnings of growth form in Phaseolus vulgaris, investigating the functional role of gelatinous fibers in twining and the role of phytohormones in determining plant habit. Outside the lab, she enjoys aerial dance, identifying plants, reading novels, and trying to improve her Czech language skills.

lmh8617@nyu.edu

Erin Cashin
Lab Manager & Research Technician

Erin, originally from Anaheim, California, developed a deep love of the natural world while hiking and camping throughout her home state. She earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences from University of California, Davis, with a focus in genetics and plant breeding. Her previous research investigated epistatic interactions that regulate annual/perennial life histories in bread wheat hybrids, aiming to breed perennial bread wheat. In the Onyenedum lab, she is thrilled to be studying the role of phytohormones and gelatinous fibers in the twining of Phaseolus vulgaris. Outside of the lab, Erin loves cooking, exploring NYC neighborhoods and restaurants, and spending plenty of time outside gardening, hiking, and camping.

emc10062@nyu.edu

Terry Chang
Undergraduate Researcher

Terry is a sophomore majoring in biology. Growing up surrounded by Taiwan's incredible biodiversity, Terry developed a passion for plants and ecology from a young age. In the future, he wants to pursue research in botany, mycology, and genetic engineering. In the Onyenedum Lab, he is one of the members helping launch the lab’s NYC Biodiversity Project, researching how urban trees provide biodiversity through audio data collection and analysis. He is eager to sharpen his computational biology skills through the Project. Outside of the lab, Terry enjoys identifying uncommon plants, pop culture, and indie-electronic music.

Mehr Tank
Undergraduate Researcher

Mehr is a freshman at New York University, majoring in Environmental Studies. With a strong interest in community focused environmental work, she is particularly interested in research exploring how nature can both persist and adapt within urban spaces. In the lab, Mehr assists with biodiversity research regarding urban trees and soundscape data, mainly contributing to data collection and analysis. Mehr is especially interested in sustainability and material innovation, with a long term goal of pursuing biotextiles and developing plant based fibers for sustainable textile systems. She is excited to expand her research skills and explore practices that combine design and environmental solutions.