Assistant Professor

I am a molecular and evolutionary biologist by training, with a particular interest in processes (e.g. recombination) and vehicles (e.g. mobile genetic elements) driving evolution in the microbial world. At Oklahoma State University, I am pursuing these interests through the study of Microviridae-host interactions. I also love gardening, cooking, cats and horror movies

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Ph.D. Student

Mehraj Ansari was the first member to join the lab, entering as a PhD student in Fall 2022. His research integrates molecular microbiology and computational biology to dissect phage-host interactions at both the sequence and structural levels, with a focus on the Microviridae-E. coli system.

Beyond the lab, Mehraj is active in service and student leadership. He currently serves as President of the MMG Graduate Student Association (MMG-GSA) and as Sports Coordinator for the International Student Organization at OSU. Outside of research, he enjoys sports and photography.

MS.c. Student

I am a Master’s student in the Kirchberger lab. My main project is to use synthetic biology approaches to find the mechanism of how Microvirus prophages defend their host from superinfection by other microviruses, which is also called superinfection exclusion or SiEx. My research interests include superinfection exclusion, synthetic biology, animal microbiomes, phage therapy, viruses, bacterial antiviral immune mechanisms, and using bacteria and phage to phage SiEx interactions as a model for the potential origins of the cellular immune system.

Ph.D. Student

I have recently joined the lab as a PhD student. Before coming to OSU, I did research in bacteriophage characterization. Through the SEA-PHAGES program I identified the Microbacterium bacteriophage Bacbegone. Currently, I am interested in discovering new phages and hidden phage genes. In my free time I enjoy studying Cherokee and Mvskoke, painting, drawing, and making jewelry.

The cat’s name is Stone.

Undergraduate Researcher

I am a Biochemistry Pre-Med major with minors in ASL and microbiology. I plan on doing medical research after medical school. My project involves using CRISPR-Cas to delete barriers to phage infection.

Undergraduate Researcher

I'm a Microbiology major with medical school ambitions. I'm from Piedmont, Oklahomas and my project involves mutagenizing phage protrusions to observe alterations in host range.

Undergraduate Researcher

I am pursuing a dual major in Biochemistry and Microbiology Pre-Med, with a minor in History. I plan on doing Pathology after medical school. My project involves exchanging natural phage promoters with artificial ones.

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