Lab Members
Lab Picture Heading link
Freitag lab comprises a diverse team of highly creative, independent, and self-motivated research scientists. We embrace our different social and academic backgrounds and strengths to learn from each other’s unique experience.
We work independently and value unique individual contributions to each project, but we also belong to the Freitag team and understand that working together and helping each other can lead to solutions of even most complex scientific problems and better outcomes for all of us.
We work honestly and hard to advance our team, as well as our individual research goals. We value the leadership and vision of Prof. Freitag and understand that to remain on the cutting edge of science we must constantly search for new ideas, stay up to date with the latest scientific literature, and strive for excellence in everything we do.
Nancy Elizabeth Freitag, PhD Heading link
Professor and Head
Principal Investigator
Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry, University of California at Los Angeles
B.S. in Biology, University of California at Los Angeles
nfreitag@uic.edu
room 544 PHARM building
312-996-6793
room 3070 MBRB building
312-355-4903
Nancy considers herself fortunate indeed to have a research lab filled with so many talented and delightful scientists. She can’t imagine a better job!
She loves exploring Chicago and the lakeshore. She also loves traveling to National Parks and places with mountains, and good books.
Adriana Monika Zimnicka, PhD Heading link
Research Assistant Professor
Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago
B.S. in Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago
azimni1@uic.edu
Cell phone: 847-452-4461 (please, leave voice message)
Lab phone: 312-413-8691
900 S. Ashland Ave.
Room 3064 MBRB, MC 870
Chicago 60607
Adriana is a postdoctoral research scientist with expertise in molecular/cell biology and microscopy. She studied chemistry as an undergraduate and received PhD from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago.
Her career goal is to do hands-on research in one of Chicago’s outstanding academic institutions such as UIC College of Pharmacy, and to investigate important scientific questions in a collaborative environment in conjunction with the team of primary faculty, clinicians, and other scientists.
Adriana lives with her husband in Chicago South Loop and enjoys exploring Chicago storefront theaters, ethnic restaurants, and shores and beaches of Lake Michigan.
Andrea Ochoa-Raya Heading link
PhD candidate
BS in Neuroscience, University of Illinois at Chicago
Ph: 312-413-8691
aochoa25@uic.edu
Research Interest: Investigation of the maternal and fetal immune response to Listeria monocytogenes strains expressing high InlB and its possible role in fetal rejection.
Outside the lab she enjoys painting, pets, being in nature, and trying new food!
Deanna Kathleen Aman Heading link
MD/PhD candidate
B.S. in Chemistry, University of South Carolina
B.A. in Chinese Studies, University of South Carolina
RM: 3068 MBRB.
Ph: 312-413-8691
dkkeen2@uic.edu
Deanna, or Dee Dee as she is known to her friends and acquaintances, is a first-year graduate student, third year MSTP student, in the department of pharmaceutical sciences. She is studying mechanisms of immunomodulation caused by the anesthetic propofol in the context of Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Outside of the lab she likes to be active in intramural sports or exercising with a future goal of competing in triathlons. She also loves to cook or host friends to share a meal and drinks together.
Jacqueline Kieltyka Heading link
MD/PhD candidate
B.S. in Biochemistry, New Mexico State University
B.S. in Biology, New Mexico State University
B.A. in Chemistry, New Mexico State University
RM: 3068 MBRB
Ph: 312-413-8691
jkielt2@uic.edu
Jacqueline is an MSTP student currently working in the lab while completing her pre-clinical medical studies and will be joining the Pharmaceutical Sciences department for her PhD. Her research interests broadly include immunobiology and mechanisms of vertical transmission of Listeria monocytogenes during pregnancy.
Outside of work, Jacqueline enjoys hiking, cooking/trying new foods, crafting/painting, and spending time with her kitty, Licorice.
Ashley Huang Heading link
Undergraduate Researcher
RM: 3064 MBRB.
Ph: 312-413-8691
ahuan5@uic.edu
Ashley is a first-year undergraduate student in UIC’s GPPA Medical Scholars Program with the final goal to receive M.D. degree and work as a doctor. Currently, she majors in neuroscience and plans to add sociology as a minor.
She is excited to learn about biomedical research and to develop her research skills and interests in this field while volunteering in the Freitag Lab.
Outside the university, she loves to lift weights with the goal of competing in powerlifting. You can always find her either listening to music, drinking bubble tea, or exploring Chicago with friends and family!
An Nguyen Hong Tran Heading link
Undergraduate Researcher
RM: 3064 MBRB.
Ph: 312-413-8691
ntran47@uic.edu
An is currently pursuing Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at UIC. Her goal is to become a researcher in the food industry, because she strongly believes that food affects both, human physical and mental health and is a foundation of all wellness.
There are three things An usually do in her free time: sleeping, listening to music, or eating out on her own in random restaurants she finds on the map.
Mercy Kremer Heading link
Research Specialist
B.S. in Biochemistry – University of Illinois at Chicago
Rm: 3068 MBRB
Ph: 312-413-8691
kkreme3@uic.edu
Mercy is a recent graduate currently working in the lab to further his goals of working in science and pursue a PhD. His research is focused on characterizing a bacteriocin immunity protein within Listeria and assisting other lab members with their projects.
In his spare time, he loves to write and draw, endeavoring to remain creative both in and out of the lab.
Mennat A. M. Gharib, MPH Heading link
PhD candidate
B.S. in Biological Sciences – University of Illinois at Chicago
M.P.H. in Epidemiology – Northwestern University
Rm: 3068 MBRB
Ph: 312-413-8691
mghari4@uic.edu
Mennat’s current research interests are focused on host-pathogen interactions and mechanisms of infection, including the understanding of the role that potential pathogens play in the outbreak of diseases.
She hopes to bridge her experience as an epidemiologist with her biological sciences education to create a more comprehensive view of disease transmission on a micro and macro scale.
Outside of the lab, she enjoys walks by the lake, trying out new restaurants around Chicago, and finding art and music events around the city.
Giridhar Chandrasekharan, PhD Heading link
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Ph.D. in Medical Sciences – University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
Rm: 3068 MBRB
Ph: 312-413-8691
gchandra@uic.edu
Giri is a postdoctoral research associate with expertise in host-pathogen interactions. As an undergraduate student, he majored in Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Botany, and for his master’s degree, he majored in Microbiology. His PhD project involved Type VII secretion system effector proteins at the host-pathogen interface in Staphylococcus aureus. He completed his PhD at the University of Warwick, UK, under the supervision of Dr Meera Unnikrishnan.
His interest in microbiology started during his undergrad studies, when he saw for the first time bacteria and immune cells interacting under the microscope. His current research interests focus on studying how the anesthetic agent propofol exacerbates Klebsiella pneumonia lung infection. His career goal is to establish an independent research group to study the complex mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction.
Giri’s favorite things to do outside the lab are play badminton, read philosophy books, and cook.
Margaret (Maggie) Hill, MS Heading link
PhD candidate, rotation
M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island
Rm: 3068 MBRB
Ph: 312-413-8691
mhill52@uic.edu
Maggie is a current PhD candidate in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program (Pharmacognosy track). She previously graduated from the University of Rhode Island with both her B.S. and M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (specializing in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy) in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Maggie’s research interests surround bacterial communication systems, and the focus of her Master’s thesis involved the characterization of outer-membrane vesicles isolated from putative probiotics to elucidate unique natural products (NP) and drug-delivery mechanisms in marine environments.
When not in the lab, she enjoys time in nature and going to concerts (she’s a BIG Beyoncé fan). Maggie also likes to snowboard and play soccer!
Xiomarie's Quote Heading link
Xiomarie Alejandro-Navarreto, PhD
K12 NIH IRACDA Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Illinois at Chicago
xaleja2@uic.edu
My advice for students is always to ask questions and never compare themselves to others; persistence is the key to finishing this journey. Also, each student’s Ph.D. journey is unique so it can take you in different ways. Sometimes plans A and B don’t work but C ends up working. So, don’t fight with that just learn to pause and think about what this failed plan is teaching you. Learn as many skills as you can, I’m assuring that will help you a lot in your future career. Also, Nancy’s mentor skills are awesome, and she will help you to succeed! Lastly, enjoy this journey because it is once in a lifetime!
Diandra Myriame Vaval Taylor, PhD Heading link
Diandra Myriame Vaval Taylor, PhD
K12 IRACDA Postdoctoral Scholar, UIC
dvaval2@uic.edu
Never give up, stay persistent and ask lots of questions! There will be times when you feel like nothing is working and those are the times to reevaluate things, re-read protocols, and papers and talk with Nancy or other members of the lab for help and/or guidance
List of former lab members from long time ago Heading link
Morgann MacDonald, SURF scholar
Xiomarie Alejandro-Navarreto, PhD
Farheen Naqvi, research specialist
Jacqueline Alexis Williams, MD student
Jerry Khee Keong Woo, PhD
Edward Eshoo, MS, student rotation
Evelyn Qi, summer SURF scholar
Lauren Elizabeth Raasch, MSTP Student Rotation
Xhoana Bendaj, BSPS undergraduate researcher
Samuel Joseph Eallonardo, MSTP Student
Diandra Myriame Vaval Taylor, PhD
Kia Holt, MSTP Student rotation
Edward Huang, MSTP Student rotation
Hannah Steinberg, MD/PhD
Izzy Izquierdo, NIH PREP Student
Laty Cahoon, PhD
Bridgett Payseur, PhD
Nicole Lamond, PhD
Omar Niagne, NIH PREP Student
Casey Tangonan
David Mains, PhD
Benjamin Gantner, PhD
Avinash Gururaja, MS
Phillip David McMullen, MD/PhD
Lavanya Visvanharathy, PhD
Catherine Stewart, PhD
Bobbi Xayarath, PhD
Jana Ahmed, PhD
Francis Alonzo, PhD
Swarnava Chaurhuri, PhD
Jennifer Smart, PhD
Joseph Bruno, MD/PhD
Mindy Miner, PhD
Gary Port, PhD
Lawrence Lee, PhD
Ana Gervassi, PhD
Bryce Mansfield, PhD
Kendy Wong, PhD
Sonya Greene, PhD
Lynn Shetron-Rama, PhD
Undergraduate students
Xhoana Bendaj
Devin Flores
Faizan Shaikh
Jacek Lechowicz
Jason Ross
Leonore Villalobos
James Mansfield
Samantha Knott
Zuzanna Grubek
Sylwia Gregorczuk
Melissa Rivi
Adina Cianciotto
Michael Campbell
Nick Lazarus
Barclay Calvert
Lisa Herring
Ryan Kyle
Zanna Schiffelbein
John Zheng