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

Chun Su, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher

Chun Su is a postdoctoral researcher from China, specializing in the fields of systematics, taxonomy, and biogeography of flowering plants, with a particular focus on eastern Asian Astragalus (Fabaceae). Her research also involves bioinformatics and phylogenomic analyses, utilizing high-throughput next-generation sequencing data. In the Onyenedum Lab, Su will be working on phylogenetics of Paullinieae (Sapindaceae). In her daily life, she has a keen interest in plant photomicrography and watercolor painting, reflecting her passion for botanical artistry.

cs7566@nyu.edu

Angelique Acevedo
Lab Manager & Research Technician

Angelique, a botanist and research technician from Chicago, Illinois, possesses a passion for conservation, developmental biology, and plant anatomy. She recently earned her degree in Environment and Sustainability with a specialization in Environmental Biology and Applied Ecology at Cornell University. During her time there, she entered the world of anatomy, focusing on the role and distribution of gelatinous fiber within twining varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris using histological approaches. Building off her prior research, Angelique’s current project will investigate the influence of microtubule orientation on plant habit, with the overarching goal of understanding mechanisms that shape plant architecture. Beyond her scientific journey, Angelique has cultivated an appreciation for propagating plants, makes frequent bookstore runs, and works on her skills as a knitter.

aaa10379@nyu.edu

Zachary Kozma
Research Technician

Zack, originally from Randolph, New Jersey is a biology enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the natural world. His academic journey began at Cornell University, where he majored in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and minored in Plant Science, culminating in an honors thesis focused on exploring cuticular characters and leaf architecture within Argentinian genera of Sapindaceae. Currently, Zack is engaged in the developmental anatomy of vascular variants in the Paulllinieae tribe (Sapindaceae), furthering our evolutionary knowledge of lianas. Beyond his academic pursuits, he enjoys playing the saxophone and hiking, where he enthusiastically attempts to identify as many plant, fungi, bird, and insect species as he can. Zack's diverse interests reflect his curiosity and enrich both his life and his exploration of the natural world.

ztk219@nyu.edu

Yifan Wang
Master’s Student

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

Mariane S. Sousa-Baena, PhD
Former Postdoc, Cornell University
Current, Faculty at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Maya Mangala-Munuma
Former Undergraduate Researcher, Cornell University