Jacob Palmer (he/him)
PI – Assistant Professor – Binghamton University (2024 – Present)
Postdoc – University of Oxford
(2019-2023)
Ph.D. – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology (2019)
B.S. – Purdue University
Biological Sciences
(2012)
Lindsey Moon
PhD Student
B.S. University Albany 2022
Hi, I’m Lindsey, and I am a PhD student! I love molecular biology, and I work in the Palmer lab studying interactions between bacterial species.
Before coming to Binghamton, I worked in multiple undergraduate research labs, studying various topics ranging from phytoplankton speciation to developing small molecule therapeutics.
When I’m not in the lab, I’m usually with my friends or family. I love being around people and getting to do things I enjoy with them, like hiking, kayaking, or just chatting over coffee. I am always excited to be able to be outside, even if it is just to relax and read a book (or endless journal articles)!
Briana Barros
PhD Student
B.S. Stockton University 2024
Hi! My name is Briana, and I am a PhD student in Biological Sciences. My research in the Palmer lab focuses on the dynamics of competition between different strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli). I’ve been a biology lover for a long time. I did have an amazing undergraduate research experience working on finding bacteria with antibacterial properties. These early opportunities are what sparked my interest in microbiology specifically. Beyond the lab, I love binge watching TV whether it’s an informative docu-series or reality television. Also, when everyone’s schedules align, I love spending time with the people I care about enjoying a relaxed evening.
Alexa Mastrangelo
PhD Student
B.S. Binghamton University 2025
Hi, my name is Alexa and I’m a PhD student. In the Palmer Lab, I work with bacteriophages to investigate their range of infectivity in different strains of E.coli and eventually hope to quantify other parts of their life cycle such as latency period and burst size. When I’m not in the lab, you can find me baking with my roommates, watching horror movies, reading all kinds of books, and learning guitar.
Sabela Zablackis
PhD Student
B.S. Millersville University of Pennsylvania 2025
Hi my name is Sabela Zablackis, I am a PhD student of Biological Sciences. I love studying molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry! I am currently working in the Palmer Lab on developing methods to study the vaginal microbiome in the context of community interaction and colonization resistance of pathogens and other bacteria.
Before coming to Binghamton I performed undergraduate research in species identification and primer development of homologously similar fish species. When I am not in the lab you can find me walking on trails, running, or reading.
Cooper Marko
Undergraduate Researcher
Hi, my name is Cooper and I’m an undergraduate student majoring in biology. In the Palmer Lab, my research focuses on understanding how bacteria develop spontaneous resistance to antibiotics, and quantifying this across multiple E. coli strains alongside fellow undergrad researcher Nate Zambrowski. Outside of the lab, I love to spend time outdoors fishing, hiking, camping, and biking. I also enjoy making and listening to music, videography, and playing board games.
Nate Zambrowski
Undergraduate Researcher
Hi, I’m Nate and I’m an undergraduate majoring in biology. In the lab I’m currently doing research on the spontaneous development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria alongside Cooper Marko. In my free time I love going rock climbing, listening to music, reading books, and playing video games.
Our lab is apart of the Binghamton Biofilm Research Center (BBRC), a collection of 8 individual labs all focused on research in microbiology.
Palmer Lab 