People
The people behind the science — researchers, students, and alumni of the Zhang Lab
Principal Investigator
Dr. Li Zhang
Associate Professor · Department of Poultry Science
Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on agricultural microbiomes, microbial genomics, vaccine development, and food safety. His lab develops advanced molecular diagnostic tools (LAMP, qPCR) and applies whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics to address critical challenges in poultry health and food safety.
Education Ph.D. in Nutrition, Mississippi State University · Ph.D. in Agriculture Biological Environmental & Energy Engineering, Jilin University
Research Faculty
Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Xin Ye
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Interdisciplinary chemist and molecular biologist — cloning, qPCR, RNA-seq, proteomics, and bioinformatics for host-pathogen interaction and molecular detection research.
Research Staff
Ph.D. Students
Sunita Shrestha
Ph.D. Student, Poultry Science
Pathogen genomics and vaccine development — identifying and characterizing vaccine candidates against avian pathogens using reverse vaccinology.
Best Oral Presentation (SCAD), IPSF 2026
M.S. Students
Undergraduate Researchers
Zoë Lohf
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Joined the lab in 2025, supporting laboratory operations and research projects.
Jazmyn Washington
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Joined the lab in 2026, supporting laboratory operations and research projects.
The lab in action
Alumni
Former Postdocs
- Dr. Monzur Chowdhury — pathogens, host-pathogen interactions, molecular & cellular biology. Now: Researcher, Mississippi State University
- Dr. Saman Fatemi — poultry nutrition, in ovo injection, immunology, and genetics. Now: Postdoctoral Associate, Mississippi State University
- Dr. Reshma Ramachandran — poultry reproductive physiology, bacterial pathogen mitigation. Now: Professional Services Veterinarian – Poultry, IDEXX Laboratories
Ph.D. Alumni
- Dr. Diksha Pokhrel (Ph.D. 2024) — Campylobacter jejuni biofilm formation, aerotolerance, and genomic characterization. Now: Lead Microbiologist, Ferrero
- Dr. Hudson T. Thames (Ph.D. 2024) — Salmonella biofilm formation and environmental stress responses. Now: Assistant Professor, Poultry Science, Mississippi State University
- Dr. Sabin Poudel (Ph.D. 2023) — Campylobacter jejuni vaccine candidate identification. 2022 PSA Student of the Year. Now: Assistant Research Professor, Poultry Science, Auburn University
M.S. Alumni
- Rita Ugoh (M.S. 2026) — Catfish spoilage bacteria culturomics. Now: Microbiologist, Aviagen
- Hailey Fugate (M.S. 2025) — vaccine candidate validation against APEC and C. jejuni. Now: Microbiologist, Aviagen
- Abubakar Shitu Isah (M.S. 2024) — bioluminescent Salmonella Reading and vertical transmission. Now: Ph.D. program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University
- Priyanka Devkota (M.S. 2022) — APEC virulence characterization and antimicrobial resistance. Now: Lab Research Analyst, Duke Human Vaccine Institute
- Deepa Chaudhary (M.S. 2022) — LAMP assay optimization for Clostridium perfringens detection. Now: Postdoctoral Researcher, Penn State University
- Tianmin Li (M.S. 2020) — in ovo probiotic effects on APEC incidence in broilers. Now: Research Assistant, City University of Hong Kong
Undergraduate Alumni
- Sulav Jung Thapa (2024–2025) — image recognition for poultry health monitoring. 2024 USDA ARS Undergraduate Summer Internship.
- Mackenzie Ripper (2020–2022) — CALS/MAFES Undergraduate Research Scholar, featured in MAFES Discovers. Now: Veterinary School, NC State University
- Mary Beth Tingle (2022–2023) — 1st place, MSU 2023 Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium (Biological Sciences).
- Javad A’arabi (2022) — Honors Thesis Student.
- Dylan Lesak (2021) — William M. White Special Project Award. Now: completed M.S. at MSU (2023)
- Sadie White (2019) — CALS/MAFES Undergraduate Research Scholar. Now: Ph.D. Student, Mississippi State University
Want to join this team?
We welcome curious scientists at every stage — undergraduates through postdocs.