Hannah G. Reich (she/her/hers)
2024-Present, Assistant Professor
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
2022-2023 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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Emily Gryzwacz (she/her/hers)
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Conservation Biology
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Conservation Biology
I am an undergraduate student at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry majoring in Conservation Biology and minoring in Marine Sciences. I joined the lab to contribute to aquarium husbandry for our sea anemones (Exaiptasia). One of my projects focuses on bacterial communities associated with the anemones, including investigations into siderophore production changes before, during, and after brine shrimp feedings. After participating in ESF’s Tropical Coastal Ecology course—which included fieldwork in Vieques, Puerto Rico—I assisted in compiling data on Pyrodinium bahamense, a bioluminescent dinoflagellate that is popular for ecotourism as well as a contributor to harmful algal blooms.
Michael Bianchi (he/him/his)
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Biotechnology
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Biotechnology
I'm a Senior Biotechnology student working in Dr. Reich's lab. I came to ESF originally to work with wildlife but I went down a rabbit hole sophomore year and ended up interested in the seemingly endless capabilities of bacteria. In lab, I have been applying DNA molecular techniques to genotype our cell culture libraries as well as conducting competition experiments to study the behavior of our bacterial cell cultures My research in the lab pertains to how freshwater sponge bacterial symbionts may be able to degrade pollutants including PAHs.
Kara Meaney (she/her/hers)
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Environmental Biology
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Environmental Biology
I am Kara, an undergraduate at SUNY ESF majoring in Environmental Biology with a minor in marine science. I joined the PhycoSymbiosis Lab in summer 2025 to learn more about Symbiodiniaceae and anemone holobionts! My current projects examines how two species of giant clam associated Symbiodiniaceae respond to hyper- and hypo-osmotic conditions. In my free time I love plants, listening to music, and hanging out with my cats. I am also a Clarinet section leader in the SU Marching Band and the president of ESF's Plant Propagation Club.
Nicole Spar (she/her/hers)
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Aquatics & Fisheries Sciences
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Aquatics & Fisheries Sciences
I am currently an undergraduate at SUNY ESF in the class of 2026. I am currently pursuing a B.S. in Aquatics and Fisheries Science with a minor in Marine Science. My future research interest are marine symbiosis and how it can be applied to invertebrate ecology and evolution. I’m excited to join the PhycoSymbiosis Lab this fall 2025 and get the opportunity to explore my interests. Beyond just academics, I love scuba diving and going on hikes with my friends!
Emma Healey
2025-Present. Undergraduate in Environmental Biology
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.
Meghan Kelley
2026-Present. Undergraduate in Conservation Biology
2026-Present. Undergraduate in Conservation Biology
I am a senior at SUNY ESF majoring in Conservation Biology with a minor in Marine Science. I'm currently assisting in caring for the lab's sea anemones. I find interest in almost anything marine focused, but especially marine mammals. I'm looking forward to gaining more experience in the lab and learning new things! When not in the lab or on campus, I'm often playing video games, reading, hiking, or paddling.
Thomas Voss
2026-Present. Undergraduate in Biotechnology
2026-Present. Undergraduate in Biotechnology
Addison Vacinek
2026-Present. Undergraduate in Biotechnology
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
*not by Hannah or any current/former lab members doing
