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

Hannah Ratcliff
Lab Manager & Research Technician

Hannah has a deep passion for the natural world and everything in it. Hailing from a small town in North Carolina, Hannah has a history in entomology and botany and loves to study the structural and morphological evolution of both systems. Graduating from UNC Chapel Hill with a focus on Biology and GIS, she enjoys utilizing spatial data science to inform the evolution of phenotypic traits. At her last position at New York Botanical Garden, Hannah studied all facets of cycad biology, including shoot-to-root transitional morphology and callous structures. In the Onyenedum lab, she hopes to use this background to understand gelatinous fibers' roles in the twining of plants. In her free time, Hannah loves to run in Central Park, explore NYC neighborhoods, and convince her friends to get a 'sweet treat' with her at every bakery she passes.

her6948@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
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.