Javier A. Ceja-Navarro

I grew up in rural western Mexico. At the age of 15, I was awarded a scholarship to enter a high school track in clinical analyses that changed the course of my professional career. After concluding my studies in clinical analyses, I obtained a degree in Chemical Engineering at Instituto Tecnologico de Celaya and a Ph.D. in Biotechnology at the Cinvestav of the Instituto Politecnico Nacional. My research interests include the study of microbial trophic associations in a wide array of systems that expand from the guts of insects to the soil rhizosphere.

I am a proud member of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ communities. Having experienced first-hand the negative effects that the institutionalized and normalized marginalization of minorities has on one’s personal and professional development, I am committed to reducing the barriers in research and education for underrepresented students including people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Dishant Patel (Postdoctoral Researcher)

Hello, world of exploration! I am a passionate researcher embarking on a journey of discovery at the Navarro lab. I am driven by an insatiable curiosity to resolve the mysteries of microorganisms. My research work revolves around environmental microbiology, microbial genomics and metagenomics. I obtained a Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology at Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), Gujarat, India. During my PhD research, I uncovered the complexity of microbial communities to devise a self-sustainable bio-electrochemical systems for textile dye wastewater treatment. In the Navarro lab, I am exploring the trophic interactions between bacterial communities and protists and the impact of these associations on the soil carbon formation. In my free time I enjoy bird watching and night sky photography.

Connor Chassman (Research Technician)

Born and raised in Los Angeles California, at an early age I began to admire the rich scientific culture of California. With its diverse landscapes, from the coastline to the mountains, it provides unique environments for scientific exploration. In 2016 I moved to Arizona, leaving the beach for the mountain. I attended Northern Arizona University for my bachelor’s in biology. After graduating in Spring of 2020, I began my career in Molecular diagnostics for one of the largest corporate run labs in America. Our lab was among the early adopters in performing RNA extraction and detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2. In 2023, I began working for NAU as a lab technician for the Narravo and Traustadottir Labs performing primarily DNA and RNA extractions and running PCR for various projects. In my personal life, I am committed to supporting initiatives that protect the planet and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

Lynn Bonomo (Graduate Student)

Hello! I am a recently land-locked marine biologist who is exploring the world of microbiology in the Navarro lab. I enjoy researching non-model animals and how they have evolved different traits or capabilities over time or through their microbial communities. My research uses metagenomics, microbiology, and evolution/ecology. I have a M.S. degree in Marine Biology from San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences. During my Master’s research, I studied the phylogenetics of a genus of nudibranchs (sea slugs) and worked on describing new species. My PhD research in the Navarro lab is on manipulating the gut microbiome of the coffee berry borer. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, reading, and have just started crocheting.

Garret Genco (Graduate Student)

As an undergraduate researcher I had a profound interest in natural history and observing the health and interactions in marine systems due to my ancestral roots in the Caribbean. Through various REU opportunities across the US I gained interest in studying microbial networks and developing biogenic solutions to various climate and anthropogenic challenges. As a PhD student in the Navarro laboratory, I will be exploring the underworld (soil) of microbiology, manipulating trophic interactions between plants and soil microbes (especially protists!), elucidating the chemical mechanisms that control soil microbiome recruitment and considering potential applications in agroecosystems, such as carbon and nitrogen cycling, with particular emphasis on climate questions. Outside of the lab, I really enjoy spending my time cooking, learning languages (Spanish and Mandarin currently), gardening, hiking/camping, and most recently gaming.

Ivory Bacy (Graduate Student)

After taking my first college-level biology course, I fell in love with the idea of learning about microorganisms and how they function in our natural environment. During my undergraduate, I was a fellow in the NSF-funded RISE program at NAU. My undergrad research focused on how reclaimed water influenced soil properties and fungi abundance in plant roots. As an aspiring Master’s student, I’m currently a fellow in the MITSI program at NAU and studying how complex soil microbe interactions influence nutrient sequestration. I have a strong interest in continuing research in soil and plant sciences to yield a more sustainable future for generations to come. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy reading books and crocheting next to my cat, Juniper.

Mia Hamm (Undergraduate Researcher)

Hello! I am a passionate undergraduate researcher discovering the complex soil interactions with protists and predatory bacteria at the Navarro Lab. Currently, I am improving the extraction of nucleic acids from mixed conifer soils with high humic content and fecal samples. I am wildly interested in microbial communities, bioinformatics, and molecular astrobiology. Outside of the lab, I love to dance and read.

Matthew Heidenblut-Palomino (Undergraduate Researcher)

I am currently studying Microbiology and Environmental Science at NAU. In the Navarro lab, I specifically study the influence of soil protists on the nitrogen cycle and microbial diversity. I really enjoy the hands-on learning experience I get from working in the lab and reinforcing the fundamental concepts of biology and chemistry. In the near future, I plan on obtaining a PhD in microbiology and starting my career in research.

Adam Vannett (Undergraduate Researcher)

Hello, my fellow microbial enthusiasts, my name is Adam Vannett!  I am completely enamored with bacteriophage, one of the microbial world’s finest bacterial hunters. Bacteriophages have the potential to be an indispensable ally in the war on antibiotic resistance. By better understanding microbial communities, humanity can better utilize microbes to enhance day-to-day life. My research in Dr. Navarro’s lab mainly involves the study of the Coffee Berry Borer. The research aims to determine if bacteriophages can be used to inhibit the beetle’s ability to digest caffeine as well as if the beetle’s gut microbiome can be restored through probiotic therapy. 

Jack Fitzpatrick (Undergraduate Researcher)

My name is Jack Fitzpatrick and I am currently completing my undergraduate degree for Biomedical Science at Northern Arizona University. I am currently interested in the idea of microbes and their interactions with their environment and others. I am currently a senior and enjoy learning of the many things that can only be seen using a microscope. When I am not learning I enjoy hiking and visiting new places with friends.

Will Wagner (Undergraduate Researcher)

Hello, my name is Will Wagner, and I am a junior studying microbiology and minoring in computer science. For future research, I want to study how we can introduce bacteria, fungi and protists into harsh environments mostly devoid of life supporting resources, for example the charred areas of land that are left after a wildfire or a fresh volcanic eruption. I want to study which microbial species can most effectively create a suitable environment for other organisms to live and flourish. Given the larger forest fires that are becoming more prevalent, studying how forests recover on the microscopic level could help shape forest management practices on how to reestablish life in the wake of a fire.

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Former members

ALYSSA BYER

Alyssa graduated from UC Santa Barbara and is a Research Associate in the group. She works in the isolation of soil microfauna and the development of experiments aiming to recreate trophic complexity to study the contribution of different food web members to C and N cycling.

Abelardo Arellano

Abelardo was a Research Associate; his contributions to the team included the optimization of protocols for the isolation of micro-eukaryotes from soil samples, the preparation of sequencing libraries, qPCR, and microbiome data analyses.

Leila Ramanculova

Leila was a Research Associate. Leila is an animal lover, and as such, she took care of the team’s insect colonies and contributed to studying the effect of the environment on arthropod microbiome composition. Leila was also trained in curating taxonomic databases and microbiome data analyses.

Daniela Cruz-Abreu

Daniela was an intern in the laboratory. Her work included tagging microbes with reporter genes and manipulating arthropod microbiome.

Matus Kvietok

Matus visited the laboratory as an intern from the SULI program. His work included microbial isolations from diverse insects, including the passalid beetle. Matus received training in the analysis of DNA sequences and phylogenetic analysis.

Yen Nguyen

Yen was an intern in the laboratory. She was trained in the isolation of DNA and RNA from insects, the use of qPCR for the quantification of genes, and microbial isolations.