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@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
Makena Janis
Graduate Student
2019–present
Makena received her B.S. degree in Chemistry in 2019 from the University of Houston. She then enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at UH and joined the Zastrow lab. Her research is currently focused on applying fluorescent protein metal ion sensors to gut bacteria. Makena's hobbies include playing and recording music and weightlifting.
Office: Fleming 36,
Email: mkjanis@uh.edu
Hazel Nguyen
Graduate Student
2020–present
Hazel received her B.S. degree in Chemistry in 2019 from the University of California, Irvine, where she worked with Professor Jenny Yang. She then enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at UH and joined the Zastrow lab. Her research is centered on applying fluorescent protein metal ion sensors to gut bacteria. Hazel likes making paper crafts, kayaking, and riding bikes.
Office: Fleming 36,
Email: hnnguyen38@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
Muneera
Binta Yahya
Graduate Student
2023–present
Muneera received her B.S. degree in Pharmacy in 2018 from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She completed her M. Pharm. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2021. She then enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at UH in 2023 and joined the Zastrow lab. Her research is centered on developing and applying fluorescent protein metal ion sensors to gut bacteria. Muneera likes cooking, origami, and DIY.
Office: Fleming 36,
Email: mbintaya@cougarnet.uh.edu
Aanshi
Trivedi
Undergraduate Student
Summer 2024–present
Aanshi is a junior majoring in psychology. She joined the Zastrow lab in summer 2024 and is developing protein-based metal ion sensors for bacteria using cyanobacteriochromes. Aanshi also enjoys teaching and learning the Indian classical art form of Bharatnatyam. She also loves being in nature and developing a range of new skills.
Quynh Huong
(Susan) Ngoc Nguyen
Undergraduate Student
Fall 2023–present
Susan is a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Engineering. She joined the Zastrow lab in fall 2023 and is studying mechanisms of extracellular metals in the gut microbiota.
