
Hazel Nguyen
Ph.D. 2025
Makena Janis
Ph.D. 2024

Muxin Qiao
M.S. 2022
Current position: Chemist at A & B Environment Science, Houston, TX

Wenping
Zou
Ph.D. 2022
Current position: postdoctoral scholar at University of Houston, Department of Chemistry (Eva Harth group)

Haowen
Zhao
M.S. 2022
Current position: Project Coordinator, Novogene Europe

Mahail
Tahirkheli
Spring 2025, Biology

Aanshi
Trivedi
Summer 2024–Fall 2024, Psychology
Aanshi worked in the Zastrow lab from summer 2024 to fall 2024 developing protein-based metal ion sensors for bacteria using cyanobacteriochromes.

Quynh
Huong (Susan) Ngoc Nguyen
Fall 2023, Biomedical Engineering

Molly
Rhodes
Fall 2021–Fall 2023, B.S. Chemistry
Molly worked in the Zastrow lab from fall 2021-2023 developing protein-based metal ion sensors for bacteria.

Jazzmin
Jara
Fall 2020–Spring
2022, B.S. Biology
Current position: Medical student

Nasir
Abbasi
Fall 2020–Spring
2022, B.S. Human Nutrition and Foods
Current position: Medical student

Joanna
Elhaj
Summer
2020–Spring 2021, B.S. Human Nutrition and Foods
Current position: Medical student at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Khoa Le
Spring
2018–Spring 2020, B.S. Chemistry
Current position: Graduate student at Caltech

Juventino
Valdez
Fall 2017–Spring 2020, B.S. Biology
Current position: DDS student at UTHealth School of Dentistry at Houston

John King
Spring 2019–Fall 2019
Current position: MChE student at University of Houston

Leon Le
Spring 2019–Fall 2019

Marium Haq
Summer 2018–Spring 2019, B.S. Chemistry
Current position: Graduate Student at University of Oregon


Jonathan
Pickett
Fall 2017-Spring 2018, B.S. Chemistry
Current position: Graduate Student at Baylor College of Medicine

Carlos
Iniguez
Fall 2017-Spring 2018, B.S. Biochemistry
Current position: Graduate Student at The Ohio State University

Aerial
Miller
2025 ACS Project SEED Student
Aerial worked in the Zastrow lab from June-July 2025 alongside Dr. Uyen Huynh studying the effects of dietary essential metals like zinc on probiotic Lactobacillus. In her free time, she enjoys dance, piano, and cleaning.

James
Garcia
2025 ACS Project SEED Student
James worked in the Zastrow lab from June-July 2025 alongside Dr. Uyen Huynh studying the effects of zinc and calcium on probiotic Lactobacillus. His favorite color is green.

Elizabeth
Guo
2025 Welch Summer Scholar
Elizabeth is a rising junior in the IB program at Nikki Rowe High School. She worked in the Zastrow lab from June-July 2025 alongside Dr. Gary Jensen on a project focused on mutagenesis of a computationally designed high-solubility version of an orange fluorescent protein-based zinc sensor. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and traveling.

Bralon
Wilson
2024 ACS Project SEED student
Bralon worked in the Zastrow lab from June-August 2024 alongside Dr. Uyen Huynh studying the effects of essential dietary metals on probiotic Lactobacillus. His hobbies are graphic design and comedy.

Eileen
Zhao
2024 Welch Summer Scholar
Eileen worked in the Zastrow lab from June-July 2024 alongside Dr. Gary Jensen enhancing the solubility of fluorescent proteins using a soluble protein tag. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, cello, and golf.
Dimitri
Licona
2023 Summer Researcher
Dimitri worked in the Zastrow lab from June-July 2023 alongside Dr. Gary Jensen developing cofactor-binding fluorescent proteins for metal ion sensing.

Wendy Geng
2023 Welch Summer Scholar
Wendy is a rising senior at LASA High School in Austin. She worked in the Zastrow lab from June-July 2023 alongside Dr. Gary Jensen designing fluorescent proteins for metal ion sensing. In her free time, she enjoys going hiking and reading comics.

Jasmine
Chou
2022 Summer Researcher
Jasmine worked in the Zastrow lab from June-August 2022 alongside Dr. Uyen Huynh studying the effects of calcium on lactobacilli.

Bryce Chun
2022 Welch Summer Scholar
Bryce worked in the Zastrow lab from June-July 2022 alongside Makena Janis developing anaerobic metal ion sensing fluorescent proteins. During his free time, Bryce enjoys archery and volleyball.

Timothy
Osazuwa
2019 ACS Project SEED II student
Timothy worked in the Zastrow lab from June-August 2019 alongside Dr. Uyen Huynh studying the effects of zinc on Lactobacillus species.

Jose
Alvarado
2019 ACS Project SEED I student
Jose worked in the Zastrow lab from June-August 2019 alongside Dr. Uyen Huynh studying the effects of zinc on Lactobacillus species.

Christopher
Shi
2019 Welch Summer Scholar
Chris is a senior at Westlake High School in Austin. He worked in the Zastrow lab from June-July 2019 alongside Wenping Zou using cofactor-based fluorescent proteins as metal ion sensors. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and spending time outdoors.
Current position: Undergraduate student at Rice University

Amy Vo
2018 Welch Summer Scholar
Current position: Undergraduate student at Caltech
