​Hannah G. Reich (she/her/hers)    
2024-Present, Assistant Professor
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry 
20​22-2023 Postdoc, UNH
2020-2021 Postdoc, URI
2016-2020 PhD Biology, Penn State 
2015-2016 MS Biology, Clark University
2011-2015 BA Environmental Science, Clark University

I am a biologist fascinated by the cascade of connections between aquatic symbioses and ecosystem function. While (scuba) diving research initially instigated my journey as an ocean scientist, my interests have expanded to include molecular/computational approaches as well as an obsession with trace metals. In recent years, I’ve drawn a lot of joy from curating microbial culture libraires, in part because it brings me back to my dollhouse days. My favorite element is Iron (Fe), my favorite microalgal culture strain is Breviolum psygmophilum (MAC-Purpflex, don’t tell the others), and I have yet to decide on a favorite culture of bacteria. Outside of lab, I enjoy swimming, spoiling my feral cat (Belle), most outdoor activities, and designing stickers.
Genevieve Dallmeyer-Drennen (she/her/hers)    
2024-Present. PhD Student in Environmental Biology
Founding Graduate Member
​2022-2024 MS Marine Biology, Australian Institute of Marine Science @ James Cook University 
2018-2022 BS Biology, minor in Environmental Studies, Haverford College 

I am a PhD student in the Environmental Biology department at SUNY ESF interested in aquatic symbioses and microbial interactions, especially within corals. I am very interested in how climate change affects coral reefs from an ecosystem level perspective down to their tiniest occupants, as well as how these microbial and algal interactions shape reefal ecosystem services as we know them. I have a background in studying genetic diversity within sexually propagated reef restoration programs in Australia, where I was able to get involved with sharing science -- and less than optimal field conditions -- with citizen scientists, develop skills in bioinformatics, and see lots of incredible creatures. Outside of lab I enjoy making art, working out, and spending time in nature. 
​Stefan Anthopolous (he/him/his)
2025-Present. PhD Student in Environmental Biology
2022 BS Marine Science, Eckerd College
​
I am a PhD student in the Environmental Biology department at SUNY ESF. My interests lie in the mechanisms that drive successful symbioses and enable organisms to withstand environmental stress. Specifically, I am interested in how environmental variables influence interactions among microorganisms, organic matter, and biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems sensitive to human impact, and I explore these questions in the context of corals and their endosymbiotic partners. My fascination in coral-microbe interactions began during my undergrad years at Eckerd College, where I studied coral microbiomes and devised a probiotic treatment to enhance the disease resilience of coral recruits in the Florida Keys. My hobbies outside of the lab include running, cooking plant-based meals, and watching soccer.
Sadie Bernthal 
    2026-Present. Undergraduate in Environmental Biology
I'm a rising senior at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, majoring in Environmental Biology. I joined the PhycoSymbiosis Lab in the summer of 2026 and am currently helping out around the lab, working with some of the algal symbionts and bacterial cell cultures. I became interested in microbiology during the second year of my Associate of Science in Allied Health and Biological Sciences, and have taken an interest in aquatic microbial interactions since transferring to SUNY ESF. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, camping, competitive archery, scrapbooking, and playing board games with friends.
Emma Healey
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Environmental Biology
 I am an undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Biology with a minor in marine science. Currently I am aiding Genevieve in her research project on coral holobiont associated bacteria. I am assisting in ImageJ analysis following bacterial growth during competition with one another. My interests lie broadly in marine and wetland systems. Outside of the lab I enjoy keeping plants, hiking, and playing video games with my friends.
Thomas Voss
​2026-Present. Undergraduate in Biotechnology
Addison Vacinek​
​2026-Present. Undergraduate in Biotechnology
R. Belle Reich​
Belle is a former feral cat and now a proud Assistant Pawfessor! Her Assistant Pawfessor responsibilities include swatting at nerf balls and taking long naps while her human is doing computer work. Belle is honing her academic interests and attends ESF courses during the rare instances class is on zoom. During the height of the winter, she has slept through Cell Biology (EFB 325) lectures on cellular metabolism and the central dogma. During Marine Symbiosis (EFB 496), Belle enjoyed zoomies during a lecture on kleptoplasty but snoozed through the portions on radiolarian-dinoflagellate and squid-vibrio symbioses. 
Phyco
Phyco is a taxidermied* leopard and is the proud mascot of The PhycoSymbiosis Lab.  
*not by Hannah or any current/former lab members doing

PhycoSymbiosis Lab Alumni

Emily Grzywacz, ESF Conservation Biology '26
Kara Meaney, ESF Environmental Biology '26
Nicole Spar, ESF Aquatic & Fisheries Science '26
Meghan Kelley, ESF Conservation Biology '26
​Michael Bianchi, ESF Biotechnology '26
Jacob Weinheimer, OCC uSURE '26
​Rory Gretsky, Founding Undergraduate Member, ESF Conservation Biology '25
​Mac Collier, ESF Environmental Studies '25
Stephanie Amaro, ESF Environmental Biology '24