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

Leila Jaafar, PhD
Postdoctoral researcher

Dr. Leila Jaafar is a cell and molecular biologist from Lebanon. Fascinated by the ability of individual cells to move, she studied cancer metastasis for her master’s degree. During her PhD at Penn State University, she focused on the movement of guard cells and their role in regulating the size of stomatal pores in eudicots and grasses. As a postdoctoral researcher in the Onyenedum Lab, Leila investigates the relationship between cell walls and the ability of the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, to circumnutate and twine around a support. She approaches this question through genetic and developmental methods. In her free time, Leila enjoys reading, painting, cooking, and exploring new places in New York City.

lmj8466@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

Yifan Wang
Research Technician

Yifan Wang, from Ningbo, China, is currently pursuing his Master's degree in Animal Studies at New York University. With a background in information systems, Yifan has always been fascinated by the natural world, especially animals and plants. His main area of interest is the Aristolochiaceae family. In the Onyendum Lab, he is studying how these plants are pollinated and how they interact with their pollinators. His key project is to uncover the pollination mechanisms of the Isotrema genus, understand the evolutionary relationships within this genus, and shed light on the importance of protecting these rare species and the pollinators they rely on. In his personal life, he loves photography, hiking, cooking and practicing Muay Thai.

yw7200@nyu.edu

Annabelle Wang
Undergraduate Researcher

Annabelle is a junior at NYU from Montgomery, New Jersey. A double-major in Environmental Studies and Biology on the Ecology track, she is diving into the world of Phaseolus vulgaris to help identify the role of gelatinous fibers in supporting a vine’s ability to twine. Building from the histochemical and bioinformatics techniques she practices in the lab, Annabelle aspires to earn a PhD in plant science and apply her passion for all things flora to sustainable development and wellness. Outside the lab, she is the host of a podcast about urban environmental science, enjoys learning languages, and is an avid cycling fan.

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.

Zara Tanveer
Undergraduate Researcher

Zara is a junior at NYU, majoring in Neural Science. Having lived in nothing but busy cities, she had limited direct experience with large-scale plant systems, but soon developed an appreciation for them, sparked by her grandfather’s love of nature and the countless drives they shared through national parks. In the lab, she is exploring how biological structures and environmental conditions interact to influence growth and form through a project that examines differences in plant callus development on growth media versus filter paper. After graduation, she plans to build on her background in neuroscience, interest in cellular structure, and skills and the visual arts through dentistry, viewing it as a field where biology, precision, and aesthetics intersect.