People

Juan Carlos Cambronero-Heinrichs

Juan Carlos Cambronero-Heinrichs is a microbiologist trained at the Universidad de Costa Rica and an entomologist with a PhD in Crop Science from the Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy. His work in entomology encompasses areas applied to agricultural, forestry, and medical sciences. He has experience in biological interactions, with a primary focus on microbial ecology and symbioses between microorganisms and insects, while also integrating the roles of plant and animal hosts. In addition, he has contributed to research on environmental contamination, bioremediation, and ecotoxicology. He is currently a researcher at the Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (PIET), School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. He works as a postdoctoral researcher under the supervision of Professor Kathryn Hanley from New Mexico State University, studying the ecology of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in Costa Rica, an endemic pathogen in Latin America that is transmitted by hematophagous nematocerans. In his free time, Juan Carlos enjoys watching good films and series, exploring new music, reading, and writing poetry. He also values traveling, walking in natural areas, and spending time with friends over coffee and desserts.

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Federico Valdez

As a trained molecular virologist, my research interest lies primarily in the molecular interactions of RNA viruses with the host, and how these interactions influence pathogenesis and disease outcomes. Currently, my research focuses on investigating genetic determinants of virulence of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), an arthropod-borne virus that causes serious vesicular disease in livestock. Using reverse-genetics and a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, I am currently investigating how specific amino acid residues and functional motifs within the viral genome affect the pathogenicity and transmissibility of VSV.

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Lawrence H. Zhou

My research focuses on integrating field, laboratory, and bioinformatic approaches to better understand arbovirus transmission dynamics. I grew up in San Jose, California, and earned my B.A. from Saint John’s University (Minnesota), followed by my M.S. and Ph.D. from New Mexico State University. As an undergraduate at Saint John’s University, I studied associations between microsatellite variation and reproductive behavior in puff-throated bulbuls (Alophoixus pallidus) in the Page Lab. During my M.S. at New Mexico State University in the Houde Lab, I investigated the phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial DNA and other tools for reconstructing deep avian divergence events. For my Ph.D. in the Hanley Lab, I identified various factors contributing to endemic vesicular stomatitis virus transmission in Chiapas, Mexico. Outside of research, I enjoy cooking, golfing, fishing, and rooting for Bay Area sports teams.

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Lindsey G. Biehler

I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Biology, advised by Dr. Hanley, at New Mexico State University. I am originally from Fresno, California where I earned both my B.S. and M.S in Biology at California State University, Fresno. At Fresno State, I worked with local finch species to investigate their innate and genetic immune function against Salmonella. In the Hanley lab, I am following my passion for virology with the investigation of emerging arthropod-transmitted viruses and competition between dengue virus strains. In my free time, I love hiking, reading, and listening to true-crime podcasts.

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Oreoluwa Kehinde

Oreoluwa will be joining in the lab in Fall 2026.

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Carleen N. Silva

I am a PhD Candidate in Biology investigating the relationship between wildfires and the eco-epidemiology of Sin Nombre virus in deer mice. I earned my B.S. in Animal Ecology in 2018 from Iowa State University. I am a former NSF Graduate Research Fellow, and currently a USDA nextGEN LEADING scholar. Broadly, I am interested in wildlife reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens and how human-mediated disturbances, like land use/land cover change and climate change, impact pathogen prevalence and human disease risk. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking with my dog, Cerberus, and reading.

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Zachary DeKay

Hello, I’m Zachary DeKay. I’m a graduating master’s student in biology at New Mexico State University. My master’s focus is on comparative immunology where I researched thioester-containing protein expression in Biomphalaria glabrata incorporating molecular and microscopy-based approaches. I earned my B.S. in Biology, from New Mexico Tech and previously completed associate degrees in Biology and Mathematics at ENMU-Roswell. Outside of my enjoyment for research, I like to go skiing, play piano, and keep up with Formula 1.

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Matt Heilbronn

I am a masters student in Biology at the Hanley Virus Lab investigating tick and mosquito pathogens. I earned my BS in microbiology, with minors in wildlife biology and zoology, from the University of Vermont where I studied host-switching of avian malaria parasites between invasive and native birds. After my undergraduate degree, I worked as a clinical research coordinator at the UVM Vaccine Testing Center, where I had the opportunity to assist the clinical trials of novel Lyme, Dengue, and Polio vaccines. Following work at UVM, I taught math and biology as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon. I am also pursuing an MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College in London as a Fulbright recipient. At NMSU, I am excited to be conducting research on the virology, ecology, and evolution of emerging zoonotic infectious diseases. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, reading, hiking, and beekeeping.

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Zachary Wooton

I originally came from El Paso, Texas but lived most of my life here in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I obtained my B.A. in Biology here at NMSU and am currently pursuing my M.S. in Biology here with a focus in Microbiology. I gained an interest in Microbiology towards the end of my undergraduate studies with some of the courses and teaching labs I took. The many topics involving viruses, bacteria, fungi, and the immune system were extremely fascinating to me. This interest developed more with teaching labs that students could take with these lectures. After completing these courses, I wanted to focus towards a career that specializes in this field, either in research or in the private sector. In the Hanley Virus Lab, I plan to continue developing my academic career by working on projects that deal with Aedes mosquitoes or emerging diseases that are transmitted from arthropods. In my free time, I enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends, along with playing video games. I also enjoy building and painting model kits that come from Japan.

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Phoebe Davis

My name is Phoebe Davis. I am a fourth-year microbiology major with a minor in chemistry. After my bachelor’s, I plan to pursue a Master’s in Biochemistry and later a PhD in medical microbiology. Things I like to do for fun include reading, swimming, artwork, and being outside!

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Andrea Hernandez

I’m currently an undergraduate student at New Mexico State University, pursuing a B.S. in Biology. I started working in the Hanley Lab this summer on the NM-TIC project, which aims to fill the gap in surveillance of tick-borne pathogens in New Mexico. Through my experience, I have learned DNA isolation, PCR amplification, and bacterial screening using Quantitative PCR. I am interested in all different aspects of biology and aspire to be skilled in molecular techniques and apply them to a career in Clinical/ Biological Forensic science. Outside of academics and the lab, I enjoy singing, playing the guitar, piano, and sketching.

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Diego Iglesias

I am attending NMSU, studying biology and microbiology, with minors in medical anthropology, chemistry, and pre-health. My goal is to attend medical school and pursue a career in family medicine, where I hope to provide compassionate care to underprivileged communities. Outside of academics, I spend time being involved in campus organizations, supporting students in my role as a BioCAT, and spending time with loved ones.

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Noah Lundstrom

I am a full-time student at New Mexico State University pursuing a degree in Chemistry on the pre-med track. Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and staying active outdoors. During the summers, I enjoy traveling with family on vacation and playing slow-pitch softball with my old baseball teammates.

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Eva Rangel

I am a graduating biology student from Santa Teresa, New Mexico. I began volunteering in the Hanley Virus Lab in summer 2025. I am currently involved in projects identifying host species of Sin Nombre virus using cytochrome B, as well as vector surveillance for Vesicular Stomatitis virus. Through this, I have gained experience in molecular biology techniques and field research, including fieldwork conducted in Costa Rica, which was an amazing, rewarding experience. I am fascinated by all fields and disciplines of biology, with a special interest in viruses and emerging infectious diseases. I hope to continue my studies in public health and epidemiology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking and trying new recipes, while listening to podcasts. Or watching documentary series with my cat Maurice.

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Christine Yoo

My name is Christine Yoo and I am a biology major at NMSU. I have been working in the Hanley Virus Lab since January 2026, where I contribute to the USDA VSV Grand Challenge by assisting with sample processing and viral screening. My interest lies in how infectious diseases affect populations and how virology research can help prevent future pandemics. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master of Public Health with a concentration in epidemiology, where my goal will be to investigate the causes, source, and spread of diseases. In my free time, I enjoy spending time watching movies and listening to music.

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Kimberly Villarreal

Hi, my name is Kimberly Villarreal, and I am a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry and pre-health at New Mexico State University. I was born in Sacramento, California, and raised in Deming, New Mexico. I am a member of the Hanley Virus Lab, where I work with U4.4 and C6/36 immortalized mosquito cell lines (Aedes albopictus). The research I have been a part of focuses on investigating viral replication and competitive suppression between human endemic and sylvatic (wildlife) dengue virus strains. With this experience, I hope to develop essential laboratory skills, including maintaining and passaging cells, preparing medias, performing plaque assays to determine titers and co-infections, and generating growth curves. I am excited to expand my scientific knowledge and contribute to research that may help in future pandemic outbreaks. After graduating from New Mexico State University, I plan to apply to medical school and pursue a career as a pediatric emergency medicine physician, where I hope to make a meaningful impact on children’s health. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, taking my dogs on walks, hiking, socializing, drinking lots of coffee, and binge-watching shows.

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