Dr. Melissa L. Zastrow
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
2017–present

NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, 2013-2017 (Stephen J. Lippard)
Ph.D. University of Michigan, Inorganic Chemistry, 2013 (Vincent L. Pecoraro)
B.S. University of Connecticut, Chemistry, 2008 (Christian Brückner)

Office: Fleming 137C, Phone: 713.743.6471, Email: mzastrow@central.uh.edu
Biosketch

Dr. Uyen Huynh
Research Associate
2018–present

Uyen received her B.S. degree in Chemistry in 2009 from Texas Christian University. She carried out undergraduate research with Prof. Jeffery Coffer. In 2011, she received her M.A. in Inorganic Chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin, where she worked with Prof. Bradley Holliday. Then Uyen pursued her doctoral studies at the University of Houston under the supervision of Prof. Don Coltart. After completing her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 2017, she joined the Zastrow lab as a Postdoctoral Fellow and was promoted to Research Associate in Fall 2023. Now, she is studying bioinorganic chemistry in gut bacteria using in vitro culturing, essential metal quantification, and metalloproteomics. Outside of the lab, Uyen enjoys listening to music, doing crafts, cooking and eating.

Office: Fleming 36, Email: uhuynh2@uh.edu

Ogonna David
Graduate Student
2021–present

Ogonna received his B.S. degree in Biochemistry in 2017 from the Obafemi Awolowo University, where he gained undergraduate research experience with Prof. Adenike Kuku. Ogonna has experience working in clinical chemical pathology laboratories. Prior to enrolling in the Ph.D. program at University of Houston, he served as Clinical Laboratory Analyst at NOHIL Hospital. In Fall 2021, he enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at UH and joined the Zastrow lab. His research is focused on designing fluorescent sensors for gut bacteria using cyanobacteriochrome-derived proteins. In his free time, he enjoys biking, mountaineering, bowling, and Netflix.

Office: Fleming 36, Email: owdavid@cougarnet.uh.edu

Vincent Pham
Graduate Student
2023–present

Vincent received his B.S. degree in Chemistry with a minor in Biology in 2021 from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. There, he worked with Professor Michelle Steiger. He enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at UH as an M.S. student in 2022 before transitioning to the Ph.D. program in 2023 and then joining the Zastrow lab. His research is centered elucidating mechanisms for the roles of extracellular metals in the gut microbiota. Vincent enjoys playing video games and watching anime in his free time.

Office: Fleming 36, Email: vmpham4@cougarnet.uh.edu

Iqra Nawaz
Graduate Student
2023–present

Iqra received her B.S. degree in Chemistry in 2019 from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan. She went on to attain an M.S. degree in Chemistry from Lahore University of Management Sciences in Pakistan in 2023. There, she conducted research under the supervision of Dr. Muhammad Zaheer focused on synthesizing metal organic frameworks for the removal of organic pollutants. She then enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at UH and joined the Zastrow lab. Her research is centered on developing fluorescent protein metal ion sensors for imaging metal dynamics in gut bacteria. Iqra's hobbies include reading novels and cooking.

Office: Fleming 36, Email: inawaz@cougarnet.uh.edu

Chandramoni Biswas
Graduate Student
2023–present

Chandramoni received her B.S. degree in Chemistry from Khulna University, Bangladesh in 2020. Her bachelor's thesis work in inorganic chemistry focused on adsorption of cadmium(II) from aqueous solution onto activated carbon originating from Bombax ceiba fruit shell. She enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at UH in 2023 and joined the Zastrow lab. Her research is centered on uncovering the metal homeostasis mechanisms of Lactobacillus bacteria. Chandramoni loves swimming, traveling, and reading storybooks.

Office: Fleming 36, Email: cbiswas@cougarnet.uh.edu

Rubaiyet Rahman Bristy
Graduate Student
2024–present

Rubaiyet Rahman Bristy received her B.S. degree in Chemistry, with minors in Physics and Mathematics, from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2022. She subsequently completed her M.S. degree in Organic Chemistry at the University of Dhaka in 2023. Her graduate research focused on the synthesis and characterization of azobenzene derivatives and the evaluation of phytochemical constituents and bioactivities of Staurogyne zeylanica. Following the completion of her M.S. degree, Rubaiyet joined the Zastrow Lab at the University of Houston as a graduate researcher. Her research is centered on designing oxygen-independent fluorescent protein metal ion sensors for gut bacteria.

Office: Fleming 36, Email: rbristy@cougarnet.uh.edu

Rija Jameel
Graduate Student
2024–present

Rija received her B.S. (Hons) degree in Chemistry in 2020 from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan. She subsequently pursued an M.Phil. in Chemistry at the University of Sargodha, Pakistan under the supervision of Dr. Muhammad Sher. Her M.Phil. research focused on enhancing the solubility of the hydrophobic drug Flurbiprofen by preparing its solid dispersions, which she characterized using HPLC, FTIR, SEM, and UV-visible spectrophotometry. Rija later enrolled in the Chemistry Ph.D. program at the University of Houston and joined the Zastrow lab. Her research is centered on developing and applying fluorescent protein metal ion sensors to Lactobacillus gut bacteria. Outside of research, Rija enjoys graphic designing, event management, cooking, singing, novel reading, traveling and volunteering for environmental initiatives such as plantation drives.

Office: Fleming 36, Email: rjameel2@cougartnet.uh.edu

Thisaru Prabhashwara
Graduate Student
2025–present

Thisaru received his B.S. degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2023. He subsequently earned a Postgraduate Diploma (P.G.D.) in Analytical Chemistry from the same institution in 2024. His first undergraduate research project focused on investigating the molecular mechanism of S1PR3 in neuroinflammation, under the supervision of Dr. Tharundunee Jayakodi. His second research project involved a comparative analysis of DNA quantity extracted from different substrates using quantitative PCR, as well as an investigation into the effects of different washing conditions on DNA yield, under the supervision of Dr. Gathri N. Silva. Thisaru enrolled in the Chemistry Ph.D. program at the University of Houston in 2025 and is a member of the Zastrow Lab. His research centers on developing near-infrared fluorescent protein sensors for imaging metal dynamics in gut bacteria. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and watching movies. 

Office: Fleming 36, Email: tpjayara@cougarnet.uh.edu

Mst Samima Nasrin
Graduate Student
2025–present

Samima received her Bachelor of Pharmacy and Master of Pharmacy degrees in 2009 and 2010, respectively, from the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. During her master’s research, she isolated a secondary metabolite gallic acid methyl ester from the leaves of Syzygium fruticosum (Roxb) and evaluated its antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial potentials using both in vitro and in vivo models. She enrolled in the graduate chemistry program at the University of Houston in 2025 and joined the Zastrow Lab. Prior to joining the Zastrow Lab, she served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy at International Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh. Her current research focuses on investigating manganese homeostasis in Lactobacillaceae relevant to the gut microbiota. Outside of research, Samima enjoys traveling with her family.

Office: Fleming 36, Email: mnasrin@cougarnet.uh.edu

Kevin Barrientos
Undergraduate Student
Spring 2025–present

Kevin is a sophomore majoring in Biology. He joined the Zastrow lab in spring 2025 and is studying roles of  metals in Lactobacillus gut bacteria. In his free time he is a private lesson teacher for violin, performs in concerts in The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra, goes for runs, and plays pickup soccer. Kevin also enjoys watching Formula 1 Racing, playing chess, and going horse riding.

Rashmika Josyula
Undergraduate Student
Spring 2025–present

Mika is a rising junior majoring in Public Health. She joined the Zastrow lab in spring 2025 and is studying roles of metals in Lactobacillus gut bacteria. In her free time she likes to sew, powerlift, and hang out with friends.

Joshua Quach
Undergraduate Student
Spring 2025–present

Joshua is a biology major, and is entering his sophomore year. He joined the Zastrow lab in spring 2025 and is studying roles of metals in Lactobacillus gut bacteria. In his free time he enjoys playing the piano, staying active, reading, and spending time with family and friends.