Tory A. Hendry (she/her)
Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan Assistant Professor Department of Microbiology Cornell University 257A Wing Hall th572@cornell.edu C.V. |
My background is in evolutionary biology and microbiology. I'm broadly interested in understanding how host interactions shape the evolution and ecology of bacteria.
Current lab members

Iris Holmes (she/her)
Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan
CIHMID Postdoctoral Fellow
261 Wing Hall
iah6@cornell.edu
I explore the ways that vertebrate hosts cope with infections from the diverse community of parasites they encounter throughout their lives. Currently, I'm looking at signatures of selection on the immune genes of lizards, and correlating those signatures with the lizard's parasite community.
Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan
CIHMID Postdoctoral Fellow
261 Wing Hall
iah6@cornell.edu
I explore the ways that vertebrate hosts cope with infections from the diverse community of parasites they encounter throughout their lives. Currently, I'm looking at signatures of selection on the immune genes of lizards, and correlating those signatures with the lizard's parasite community.

Kate LeCroy (she/her)
Ph.D. Environmental Sciences - Ecology, University of Virginia
Postdoctoral Researcher
(Primary Mentor: Scott McArt, Collaborative Mentor: Tory Hendry)
4129 Comstock Hall
kl476@cornell.edu
Webpage: https://kathrynlecroy.com/ Twitter: @BeesYall
I'm a broadly-trained pollination ecologist currently evaluating the fungal associates of native and non-native mason bees as potential drivers of native mason bee declines. My research in this system has been made possible by a citizen/community science partnership with over 200 people in the Mid-Atlantic US to evaluate mason bee health and diversity. I enjoy community-building while doing science and I hope to do this throughout my career.
Ph.D. Environmental Sciences - Ecology, University of Virginia
Postdoctoral Researcher
(Primary Mentor: Scott McArt, Collaborative Mentor: Tory Hendry)
4129 Comstock Hall
kl476@cornell.edu
Webpage: https://kathrynlecroy.com/ Twitter: @BeesYall
I'm a broadly-trained pollination ecologist currently evaluating the fungal associates of native and non-native mason bees as potential drivers of native mason bee declines. My research in this system has been made possible by a citizen/community science partnership with over 200 people in the Mid-Atlantic US to evaluate mason bee health and diversity. I enjoy community-building while doing science and I hope to do this throughout my career.
Vivianna Sanchez (she/her)
B.S. Biology, Mount Saint Mary’s University, CA Ph.D. Candidate in Microbiology 261 Wing Hall vas75@cornell.edu I am an environmental microbiologist interested in microbial-host interactions in various environmental systems. My current research explores the microbial communities inhabiting floral environments and the solitary bees interacting with them. I am also investigating the prevalence of the bacterial genus Acinetobacter in nectar environments and in bee-associated environments. Outside of the lab, you can find me in my bee-friendly garden, rock climbing, or uploading observations to iNaturalist. |
Kathryn Herr (she/her/they/them)
B.A. Biology with minors in Chemistry and Mandarin Chinese, Willamette University, OR Ph.D. Candidate in Microbiology 257 Wing Hall klh276@cornell.edu I find the influence of microbes on host behavior exciting. Currently, my research focuses on how epiphytic bacteria and plant viruses interact with aphid vectors to alter pathogen distribution. Generally, I am interested in host-microbe interactions, evolutionary ecology, and microbial ecology. When not in lab, I am developing my teaching pedagogy, working on my scientific communication skills, bird watching, and doing scientific illustrations. |
Zahavah Rojer (they/them)
CIHMID URE Undergraduate researcher zlr6@cornell.edu I am interested in the interactions between different nectar associated bacteria. Currently, I am studying the effects of competition between various strains of Acinetobacter spp. Outside of lab, I enjoy baking, illustrating, and foraging for mushrooms. |

Erin Brown (she/her)
CIHMID URE Undergraduate researcher
esb268@cornell.edu
In the lab I have been helping to understand how different strains of fluorescent Pseudomonas bacteria on leaves impact aphid behavior. I am also interested in the evolution and ecological impact of different species, especially in reptiles.
CIHMID URE Undergraduate researcher
esb268@cornell.edu
In the lab I have been helping to understand how different strains of fluorescent Pseudomonas bacteria on leaves impact aphid behavior. I am also interested in the evolution and ecological impact of different species, especially in reptiles.
Former lab members
Imperio Real-Ramirez, Microbiology Masters student
Dr. Melanie Smee, Postdoctoral Researcher, google scholar profile
Dr. Lydia Baker, Postdoctoral Researcher, google scholar profile
Alexandra Glasgow, CIHMID URE student
Jordan Stewart, CIHMID URE student
Sakinah Abdul-Khaliq, Microbial Friends and Foes REU participant
Chris Cadet, Microbial Friends and Foes REU participant
Catherine Gbekie, Undergraduate researcher
Jonah Schieber, CIHMID URE student
Cody Bloomfield, Microbial Friends and Foes REU participant
Catalina Zuluaga Arias, Undergraduate researcher
John Tawil, Microbiology honors student, current graduate student in Microbiology at Penn State
Dana Fader, Undergraduate researcher
Rachel Fay, Microbial Friends and Foes REU participant
Dr. Melanie Smee, Postdoctoral Researcher, google scholar profile
Dr. Lydia Baker, Postdoctoral Researcher, google scholar profile
Alexandra Glasgow, CIHMID URE student
Jordan Stewart, CIHMID URE student
Sakinah Abdul-Khaliq, Microbial Friends and Foes REU participant
Chris Cadet, Microbial Friends and Foes REU participant
Catherine Gbekie, Undergraduate researcher
Jonah Schieber, CIHMID URE student
Cody Bloomfield, Microbial Friends and Foes REU participant
Catalina Zuluaga Arias, Undergraduate researcher
John Tawil, Microbiology honors student, current graduate student in Microbiology at Penn State
Dana Fader, Undergraduate researcher
Rachel Fay, Microbial Friends and Foes REU participant