Chloé Lahondère (Principal Investigator) (She/Elle)

I am a biologist interested in blood-sucking insects' thermal biology, physiology and neuro-ethology. I obtained my Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Tours (France) and pursued a PhD at the same university under the supervision of Prof. Claudio Lazzari. I then moved to Seattle to join the lab of Prof. Jeff Riffell in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington. I joined the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry at Virginia Tech as a Research Assistant Professor in October 2017, transitioning to the tenure track in 2020. I was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure in 2024.

I am affiliated with the Fralin Life Science Institute, the Global Change Center, the BIOTRANS program, the CeZAP program and the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech.

Link to my CV

Helle Aronson (BS/MS student - 2023 SURF Fellow)

Helle is a sophomore at Virginia Tech from Herndon, Virginia. She is pursuing a biochemistry degree with a biodiversity conservation minor. Outside of classes, Helle likes to travel, hike, kayak, and garden.

Helle joined the lab as an undergrad in Spring 2023 and as a BS/MS student in Fall 2024.

Shajaesza Diggs (Lab Tech)

Shajaesza obtained her BA in Biochemistry with a minor in Chemistry in 2021. She is the recipient of the Dean’s Diversity Assistantship and the Carter Fellowship. She is originally from Staunton, Virginia and enjoys all things related to Virginia Tech and being a Hokie as well as roller skating and traveling.

Shajaesza was a lab tech and conducted research on mosquito rhythms and olfaction before joining the lab as a MS student in 2022, graduating in 2024. She is now a lab tech again. She is co-mentored with Dr. Clément Vinauger.

Katelyn Domke (Undergraduate Researcher)

Katelyn is a sophomore at Virginia Tech pursuing a degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Animal and Poultry Sciences. She is from Richmond, Virginia. After graduation she plans to pursue a career in veterinary science. Outside of classes, Katelyn likes to hike, run, read, and attempt to knit.

Katelyn joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is working primarily with Joanna.

James Moloney (PhD student)

Seyed Jalil Pasha (JP) Mirlohi (Laboratory Specialist)

JP obtained his degree from technical school in Vienna, Austria. He moved to the US in 2000. He joined Virginia Tech in 2019 and started working as a team member in Dr. Tu's lab in the biochemistry department. When not in the lab, JP likes traveling and hiking.

JP joined the lab in June 2022.

Gavyn Sanford (Summer Lab and Field Technician)

Gavyn is a junior here at Virginia Tech. He is majoring in biological sciences with a minor in psychology. He would like to attend medical school after completing his undergraduate degree. Outside of academics, he really enjoys volunteering, traveling, cooking, roller skating, and reading.

Gavyn joined the lab during Summer 2024. He is co-mentored by Chloé and Dr. Gillian Eastwood (Entomology, Virginia Tech).

SaGia Singh (Undergraduate Researcher)

Gia is a Junior at Virginia Tech majoring in Biochemistry. She is from Fairfax, Virginia. Her career goals consist of working in drug development for a pharmaceutical company. Her goals are to gain a better understanding of biochemical laboratory techniques and possibly work towards obtaining a PhD. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, and being outdoors.

Gia joined the lab during Fall 2023 and works with Forde.

Clara Stahlmann Roeder (Visiting PhD Student)

Clara Stahlmann Roeder is a Biology PhD candidate in Butch Brodie’s lab at University of Virginia, co-mentored by Dr. Lahondère as part of a NSF/UVA EXPAND fellowship. She grew up in St. Paul, MN and obtained her B.S. in Biology at the University of Chicago in 2017. She currently studies the evolution of social behavior, examining how organisms communicate and respond to past social experiences. She primarily studies these concepts within the context of forked fungus beetle fights using behavioral experiments but is expanding her research into the chemical analysis of social cues.

Forde Upshur, MS, PhD (Lab technician)

Forde Upshur obtained his Master's degree in Biochemistry at Virginia Tech. He graduated from Virginia Tech in the spring of 2018 with a Bachelor's in Biochemistry and a minor in Chemistry. He did his undergraduate research at UVa under the supervision of Dr. Brown, working to develop a promoter database for the entire human genome. Forde is looking to gain a diverse array of experience and knowledge during his time as a graduate student, particularly in the fields of biochemistry, chemistry, and behavioral ecology. He also plays guitar and sings.

Forde joined the program in August 2018, rotated in the lab and officially joined in November 2018 as a Master's student. He graduated in May 2020 and is pursuing his PhD in the lab. Forde is a GCC IGC Fellow and graduated in 2024.

International and National Visitors

Martina Carlassara, PhD Student - University of Pavia, Dr. Mariangela Bonizzoni's lab - Travelling Fellowship, The Company of Biologists - Fall/Winter 2021

Dimitri Wangrawa, Assistant Professor - Fullbright Scholar - University Norbert Zongo - Bukina Faso - 2021

Summer interns and REU students

Aqsa Fazal, SURF / GCC Student - Hollins College - Summer 2022

Mik Fehlman, REU VT REEL - Penn State University - Summer 2021

Sarah Garcia, REU MLBS - Cornell University - Summer 2024

Ella Halbert, REU MLBS - Oberlin College - Summer 2022

James Moloney, REU MLBS - Trauman State University - Summer 2023

Simone de Montigny, REU MLBS, Beloit College - Summer 2024

Megan Roark, REU MLBS - UV wise - Summer 2021

Bella Roeske, REU MLBS - mory University - Summer 2023

Lab Alumni

Louna Abdalla, Undergraduate researcher (Biochemistry) - 2021-2022

Zach Baker, Summer Lab and Field Assistant - 2020

Elizabeth Bose, Undergraduate researcher (Biochemistry) - 2018-2019

Ross Choate, Undergraduate researcher (Biological Sciences) - 2020

Danielle David, Undergraduate researcher (Biochemistry) - 2022

Shajaesza Diggs, Lab tech - 2021-2022

Darren Dougharty, Lab tech - 2020-2021

Lauren Fryzlewicz, Master Student and Technician (Biochemistry) - 2019-2021

Cameron Hart, Undergraduate researcher (Biochemistry) - 2018-2019

Helen Oker, Master Student (Biochemistry) - 2021-2023

Sydney Fogleman, Undergraduate researcher (Biological Sciences) - 2021-2022

Chris Logan, Undergraduate researcher (Biological Sciences) - 2021-2022

Vansh Parikh, Undergraduate researcher (Biochemistry) - 2021-2022

Rachel Porter, Undergraduate researcher (BSI / Entomology) - 2022

Joanna Reinhold, PhD student and Post-doctoral associate (Biochemistry) - 2018 - 2024

Aley Savory, Undergraduate researcher (Chemical Engineering) - 2019-2020

Eva Snaith, Undergraduate researcher (Biological Sciences and Biochemistry) - 2023-2024

Ryan Shaw, Undergraduate researcher (Biological Sciences) - 2019-2020

Anaïs Tallon, Post-doctoral associate - 2021-2022

Sarah Tartabini, Undergraduate researcher (Biochemistry) - 2018-2020

Taj Valliani, Undergraduate researcher (Biochemistry) - Fall 2022

Morgen VanderGiessen, Lab Tech and Master Student (Biochemistry) - co-mentored with Clément Vinauger - 2018-2021

Ashlynn VanWinkle, Undergraduate researcher (Biochemistry / Chemistry) - 2020-2021