Lab Team

Hazem Abdelaal

Fellow PhD

Hazem got his bachelor’s degrees at Cairo University and his MS at the University of Alexandria, Egypt. He got his PhD in deciphering the virulence mechanisms of Mycobacterial infections at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His interests include developing vaccines and therapeutics against MTC organisms and NTM, and he works to advance diagnostic approaches for early detection of Mycobacterial infections. He has a passion for mentorship and teaching and enjoys photography and hiking.

Sasha (Larsen) Akins

Research Scientist IV

Sasha works to advance therapeutic and vaccine candidates against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in both preclinical and clinical settings. She helps lead clinical trial efforts for an array of known and emerging infectious diseases including SARS-CoV-2.

Susan Baldwin

Research Scientist, Senior

Susan’s interest involve preclinical immunology and the use of adjuvants and adjuvant formulations to induce appropriate innate immunity to steer an effective, adaptive T helper immune response following vaccination against these infectious pathogens.

Bryan Berube

Research Scientist IV

Bryan’s research interests center around host-pathogen interactions and preclinical and clinical development of vaccines and therapeutics to impact human diseases caused by infectious agents.

Bryan Brown

Research Scientist III

Bryan focuses on identifying biomarkers associated with progression to active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. He is also interested in how phages can be used for effective post-exposure prophylaxis to Mycobacteria.

Rakhi Harne

Fellow PhD

Rakhi received her master of science degree in biotechnology from the University of Pune, India. As a postdoctoral fellow in the Coler Lab, she is working on the analysis of immune responses generated against various infectious pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2 and schistosomiasis. Outside of lab, she loves to spend time with family and friends, try out new restaurants and travel to new cities and parks.

Emma Johnson

Research Technician II

Emma’s research interests include infectious disease and vaccine characterization, and she enjoys using technology to help solve problems and improve research abilities.

Suhavi Kaur

Research Technician II

Suhavi has a background in preclinical research, specializing in monitoring the effects of test article during administration and in post-mortem tissues. Her passion for vaccine and therapy development originates from her drive to contribute to a more equitable future and society for all.

Dana Miller

Research Technician I

Dana joined the Coler Lab in October 2021. She graduated with honors from Arizona State University in May 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in applied biological sciences and a goal to work in biological research. Her interests include novel therapeutic development and improving therapeutic outcomes for high-risk individuals with MTb. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing tabletop role-playing games with friends and spending time with her family.

Tiffany Pecor-Korman

Research Associate II

Tiffany is our resident expert at ELISAs and has helped create an ELISA SOP in our lab to test for antibodies against SARS-CoV2. Tiffany also does much of the ordering and scheduling in the lab along with writing IACUC amendments.

Maham Rais

Maham’s research focuses on vaccine development and host-directed therapies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, NTM, and SARS-CoV-2 in both preclinical and clinical settings. Dr. Rais is passionate about advocating for more female representation in STEM, mentoring students, and giving back to the community.

Valerie Reese

Research Associate III

Valerie has contributed assays for a clinical trial of the ID93+GLA-SE vaccine developed in large part by Dr. Coler. She looks forward to an improved tuberculosis vaccine preventing the large burden that TB imposes on the world.

Thomas Smytheman

Research Technician I

Thomas studied genetic epilepsy disorders with the Kalume Lab at Seattle Children’s Research Institute while earning his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Washington. Now, in the Coler Lab, he is interested in vaccine development and testing in the hopes of improving global health outcomes for children.

Brittany Williams

Graduate Student

Brittany is a graduate research assistant in the pathobiology PhD program. Brittany received her BS in molecular and cellular biology at the University of Arizona. Her work in the lab focuses on TB co-infections, immunopathology, and vaccine development.

Zhiyi Zhu

Research Scientist II

Zhiyi focuses on qualified and validated Pseudo-neutralization and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Titer assays against SAR-CoV2 for clinical trials. He is also interested in vaccine development against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria through the discovery of new candidate antigens and delivery to induce robust and effective immune responses.