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Meet The Team

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Elizabeth (Lizzy) Draganova, Ph.D.

Role: Principal Investigator/Assistant Professor

Research interests: antivirals, capsid assembly, light scattering 

When I'm not in lab: My two children keep me entertained (moms can science, too!)

Alternate reality career: Nancy Drew

Pronouns: she/hers

Photography Credit: Gigi Arias, BCDB Graduate Student

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Jalen Harris

Role: Undergraduate Researcher

Research interests: This is my first research experience so I am still figuring out what interests me, but in general I have always been fascinated by viruses, diseases, and vaccines!

When I'm not in lab: I enjoy fitness/weight-lifting, singing (I am currently in AHANA A Cappella), music, and social media.

Alternate reality career: Influencer/Youtuber

Pronouns: He/him

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Adam Hannon-Hatfield, Ph.D.

Role: Postdoctoral Researcher

Research interests: Host-parasite evolutionary conflict and discovering how the byproducts of these conflicts manifest in interesting properties of proteins.

When I'm not in lab: I enjoy reading Sci-Fi novels, exercising, playing Magic the Gathering, video games, and spending time with my lovely girlfriend.

Alternate reality career: Probably something in the fitness industry

Pronouns: he/his

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Rachel Hill 

Role: Research Specialist I

Research interests: Genetics, enzyme inhibition

When I'm not in lab: I like to do puzzles, try new restaurants, listen to true crime podcasts, and brake for squirrels. I also enjoy playing Animal Crossing and Minecraft.

Alternate reality career: True Crime Podcaster or Veterinarian

Pronouns: she/hers

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Ayla Khan

Role: Undergraduate Researcher

Research interests: Viral replication, genetics, neuroscience

When I'm not in lab: I love discovering new music, reading thrillers, spending time with my family, and exploring Atlanta with friends!

Alternate reality career: Lawyer or therapist

Pronouns: she/hers

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Tayebeh Latifi, Ph.D.

Role: Postdoctoral Researcher

Research interests: Herpesviruses and rotaviruses 

When I'm not in lab: I enjoy painting and watching movies.

Alternate reality career: Artist (painting)!

Pronouns: she/hers

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Shea Lowery, Ph.D.

Role: Postdoctoral Researcher

Research interests: Viral pathogenesis, molecular virology, and innate immunity. 

When I'm not in lab: I like to read, garden, and spend time with my husband and baby girl.

Alternate reality career: Gardener

Pronouns: she/hers

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Kino Maravillas

Role: Lead Research Specialist

Research interests: Cell biology, molecular pharmacology, DNA/RNA biology, protein engineering, and nuclear egress

When I'm not in lab: Discovering new restaurants, films, music, and places to be. I also enjoy driving through mountain roads and enjoying the views and hikes that come with it.

Alternate reality career: Astronaut Psychologist

Pronouns: he/him

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Amal Panjwani

Role: Undergraduate Researcher

Research interests: herpesvirus nuclear egress, light scattering

When I'm not in lab: I like to read, watch real estate TV shows on Netflix, study, try different restaurants around Atlanta, spend time with my family, and travel.

Alternate reality career: Astronaut or accountant

Pronouns: she/hers

Afzal Yacoob

Role: Senior Research Specialist

Research interests: Forensic science (trace chemistry, firearms and ballistics, drug chemistry, explosives, latent print, and DNA and serology), biochemistry, molecular biology, and pedagogy​

When I'm not in lab: I love roller skating, baking, adding stickers to my car, listening to music, working out and playing sports, and journaling​

Alternate reality career: Storyboard artist, animator, writer, hairstylist or colorist, and/or chef for cats

Pronouns: he/him

Rotation Students

Sarah Gordon

Role: BCDB Rotation Graduate Student

Research interests: Still trying to figure it out, but I think proteins are pretty cool!

When I'm not in lab: I like to draw and crochet

Alternate reality career: CSI

Pronouns: she/her

Tessa Larson

Role: BCDB Rotation Graduate Student

Research interests: I'm interested in antibiotic and antiviral resistance

When I'm not in lab: I like to hike, explore Atlanta, spend time with my people, and play with my cat.

Alternate reality career: Editor

Pronouns: She/Her

Interested in joining us?

The Draganova Lab is a part of the BCDB and MMG Graduate Programs at Emory

Send an email to elizabeth.draganova@emory.edu

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