The team!

 

Lori Huberman

Lori Huberman

 

Principal Investigator

I seek to understand how fungi sense and response to their environment. We use high-throughput genomic tools, systems biology, and molecular genetics to answer questions related to nutrient sensing and the genetic responses to fungicides and antifungal drugs. We study how fungi sense and utilize the nutrients available in plants and soil – or to put it another way, I am interested in understanding how cells know what they are eating. Although many fungi play beneficial roles in our environment, fungal pathogens can cause devastating crop loss and fatal fungal infections in humans. We are using high-throughput genomic tools to identify the genetic responses to fungicides and antifungal drugs to aid in developing new treatments for fungal pathogens and predict genetic mechanisms of fungicide resistance. To enable our work, we are developing new genomic tools to rapidly identify the function of fungal genes. Outside of lab, I enjoy playing the flute, orienteering, running, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

email: huberman@cornell.edu

CV

Josh Kerkaert

Joshua Kerkaert

Postdoc

Josh joined the Huberman lab in October of 2022. His interest in fungal biology started while earning a BS in Microbiology at the University of Minnesota where he did research on the human fungal pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans and Blastomyces dermatitidis in the Nielsen lab at the University of Minnesota. Josh went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Dartmouth College where he worked with the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus investigating the relationship between metabolism and emergent properties of fungal biofilms, namely antifungal drug resistance. In the Huberman lab Josh is excited to dive further into how cosmopolitan fungi regulate their metabolism to thrive in highly diverse niches, ranging from saprophytic environments, like leaf litter and compost piles, to infections of plants and humans. To accomplish this, he is also eager to develop genomic toolsets in filamentous fungi. Outside of lab Josh enjoys a good board game night, hiking in the woods, going climbing, and playing hockey.

Yuxin Zhang

Yuxin Zhang

Postdoc

Yuxin joined the Huberman lab in September 2024. He has a strong desire learn different biotechnological techniques and apply them to explain biological phenomena at the molecular level. He earned his B.Sc. in biotechnology at Yangzhou University. After that, he pursued  an M.Sc. at Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands. There, he focused on characterizing a de novo CRISPR-Cas system in the bacterial genetics group of Prof. John van der Oost. Starting in December 2018, Yuxin worked on his Ph.D. dissertation at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. J. Philipp Benz. His research there focused on investigating the molecular crosstalk between cellulose and hemicellulose perception in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. In the Huberman lab, Yuxin continues his work with Neurospora crassa, aiming to further elucidate other regulatory mechanisms influencing cellulase production in fungi, particularly the osmotic response MAP kinase pathway. Outside of lab, Yuxin enjoys swimming, cooking, and traveling.

Brandon Reyes-Chavez

Brandon Reyes-Chavez

Graduate Student

Brandon is a graduate student in CALS and joined the lab in May 2023. He is a recent graduate from the University of California, Davis where he received a BS in Microbiology. During his undergraduate studies, Brandon investigated the developmental biology of Hydra vulgaris, a freshwater Cnidarian. His fascination with Microbiology evolved as he learned more about the microbial world around us in his lecture/lab courses. He is particularly interested in sustainability and hopes to characterize the genetic interplay in Fungi that dictates how effectively sustainable inputs are consumed and turned into lipids. In his free time, he likes to play tennis, go hiking at your nearest Gorge, and play Magic The Gathering.

Ruby Schnirman

Ruby Schnirman

Graduate Student

Ruby is a graduate student in Genetics, Genomics, and Development and joined the Huberman lab in April 2024. Ruby earned a B.Sc. at The University of Chicago where she investigated the development of neural crest cells in zebrafish, and went on to study mouse axial extension as a post-baccalaureate at the National Cancer Institute. She is excited to pursue her interest in spatial regulation of cell behavior in a fungal context, and hopes to understand how fungal colonies sense and respond to heterogeneous nutrient environments. Outside of the lab Ruby enjoys reading, gardening, and hiking around Ithaca.

Molly Lynch

Molly Lynch

Undergraduate student

Molly is a sophomore studying biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She hopes to pursue a future in medicine and is particularly interested in laboratory medicine. Molly is looking forward to gaining valuable lab skills while exploring the field of microbiology by researching nutrient-sensing mechanisms in filamentous fungi. Outside of the lab, she is a member of Cornell’s Running Club and enjoys running, hiking, traveling, and baking.

Zephyr Huberman

Lab mascot

I have been interested in nutrient sensing and utilization for as long as I can remember. The questions that drive me are: Is it dinner time yet? If I look sad, will someone give me food? If I eat this, will anyone notice? When not focused on nutrient sensing and utilization, I enjoy degrading plant biomass, running, hiking, and sleeping.

Lab Alumni

  • Renato Carvalho (Postdoc)
  • Quincy Dowling (Undergraduate REU student)
  • Andres Lopez (Undergraduate REU student)
  • Vaughan Poland (Undergraduate REU student)
  • Esha Shakthy (Cornell Undergraduate student)
  • Presto Huberman (Lab mascot)