Meet The Team
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Scott-Wesley Bean
Role: GDBBS Rotation Graduate Student
Research interests: Structural biology, biophysics, virology, pathology, drug development
When I'm not in lab: Weightlifting, dining, crafts, walking trails, music
Alternate reality career: Forensics or detective
Pronouns: He/Him
Jayden Harris
Role: MMG Rotation Graduate Student
Research interests: I’m interested in virus-host interactions on a cellular level.
When I'm not in lab: I enjoy reading, hiking, playing video games, and hanging out with my cats.
Alternate reality career: Fantasy author!
Pronouns: She/They
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