Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology. Laboratory Director and Translational Science Coordinator, Institute for Global Health and Translational Sciences.

With his PHD from Johns Hopkins University and experience at the National Institute of Health and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Adam is excited to continue his work in immunology.

waickmaa@upstate.edu

Esther graduated from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Nigeria. She has always been interested in understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases since high school. This interest led her to study Microbiology in college. She is excited to continue researching at the intersection of virology and immunology during her time here in the Waickman lab. Outside research, Esther likes to spend time alone, play board games with friends, and talk to her family.

adekomie@upstate.edu

Lauren graduated from Eastern University with a BS in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry. She has been fascinated by viruses and the immune system since high school and as an undergraduate student she did research on the kinetics of plant viruses. Lauren is excited to continue her education and dive deeper into researching dengue and its interactions with the immune system. Outside of science, Lauren enjoys hiking and being outdoors.

BahrL@upstate.edu

I completed my PhD from Central Drug Research Institute, India. I was always very much fascinated by host-pathogen interactions and did my PhD research on tuberculosis-host responses. In waickman lab, I am excited to continue my research in this field and dive deeper into researching dengue vaccines and its interactions with the immune system. Outside of science, I love cooking, traveling, and spending time with family.

gargt@upstate.edu

Chad graduated from Upstate with a BS in Medical Biotechnology, where he worked with the Waickman lab on a few Dengue related projects. The most notable being preliminary work on the development of a Dengue reporter virus system. He is entering the PhD program at Upstate and looking to use the experience and knowledge gained there to work on public health research in infectious diseases. Outside of work, Chad enjoys spending time with friends, camping, and playing video games.

GeboC@upstate.edu

Céline is in her fourth year of the MD/PhD program at upstate, and 2nd year in the PhD portion of her studies. She previously obtained her BScH and MSc degrees in pathology and molecular medicine from Queen’s University, where her work focused on molecular subtyping of genitourinary cancers. Through this work, Céline developed an interest in molecular profiling using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, which she now applies in the context of immunoprofilling to better understand DENV pathogenesis. Outside of the lab, Céline loves painting and making music, as well as playing soccer, triathlons, and snowboarding!

hardyce@upstate.edu

Remy specializes in squeaky toys and bringing joy to all those in the microbiology department. The only thing he loves more than chasing squirrels is studying dengue with his lab pack. 

Mitchell gained an interest in the biological sciences after reading the book ‘The Hot Zone’, which has evolved into an interest in investigating the interactions between the host immune system and viral infections. He obtained a BS degree in both Chemistry and Biology at Athens State University before moving to Binghamton, where he obtained an MA in Biological Sciences at Binghamton University. At Upstate, his work in the Waickman lab focused on determining the role of non-neutralizing antibodies in clearing dengue-infected cells, specifically, NS1- and E-reactive antibodies and the potential of viral antigens, mainly NS1, in aiding in immune avoidance. Mitchell gained his PhD in January 2025, and is currently doing his post-doc at Albany Medical Center where he is investigating the role of dendritic cell subtypes and their potential in mediating T-cell tolerance towards Hepatitis B virus, leading to chronic infections. In his personal life, Mitchell enjoys tennis, dancing, and baking.

Adam is a recent MD/PhD graduate of SUNY Upstate Medical University. While in the Waickman lab his project focused on the role of serum IgA in antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue virus infection. His broad interest is in the causes of different clinical outcomes given exposure to the same pathogen. Outside of work, Adam enjoys reading, cooking, running, and writing. Adam is currently a Resident physician (PGY-1), Internal Medicine, University at Buffalo.