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.
Jen Slater
PhD Student
B.S. (Honors) Binghamton University 2026
Jen is a first year PhD student who did an honors project with Dr. Eliza Grames. She has a strong background in ecology, evolution and computation, and is learning the skills and techniques of experimental microbiological research.
Mariah Donohue
NSF PRFB – Postdoc
B.A. Anthropology, Stony Brook (2015)
M.A. Biology, Stony Brook (2017)
Ph.D. University of Kentucky (2024)
Hiya I’m Mariah! I study how gut microbiomes shape our planet’s biodiversity. I am especially interested in (1) the eco-evolutionary processes underlying host-microbiome symbiosis; (2) the role gut microbiomes play in host adaptation; and (3) using gut microbiome data to inform animal conservation. Most of my work is centered on lemurs, an endangered and species-rich primate clade endemic to Madagascar. For my postdoctoral research I’m studying how gut microbiota respond to toxic host diets using bamboo lemurs, which consume what should be lethal doses of cyanide everyday via their favorite food, Malagasy Giant Bamboo. I’m also collaborating with David Weisenbeck (husband/Palmer lab tech) to develop amphibians of the Binghamton Nature Preserve as a local study system. Otherwise, I love being in nature, watching reality TV, and admiring my dogs.
David Weisenbeck
Lab Technician
B.S. James Madison University 2021
Hi, I’m David and I’m a technician in the Palmer Lab. I develop bioinformatic workflows to support the various projects going on in the lab. I am also working on sequencing and assembling genomes for the lab’s bacteria and phage collections. Beyond the Palmer Lab, I am a PhD candidate at the University of Kentucky studying leopard frog evolutionary and conservation genomics. When I’m not working (and sometimes when I am) I enjoy hanging out with my two dogs, Russell and BUSCO. If you’re wondering, yes, I am married to postdoc Mariah Donohue.
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.
Isabella Portillo
Undergraduate Researcher
Hi, I’m an undergraduate student majoring in biology. In the Palmer Lab, my research project is “Evolution of Resistance”. I focus on understanding the fitness of antibiotic microbial resistance with different E. coli strains and environments. I’m fortunate enough to be guided by a PhD student Briana Barros to help me through this process. Besides working in the lab I love to spend my free time being active whether it’s running, working out, rock climbing, and playing soccer. I also enjoy spending time with my family, friends, listening to music and drawing.
Our lab is apart of the Binghamton Biofilm Research Center (BBRC), including 7 labs from the Department of Biology that are focused on research in microbiology.
Palmer Lab 