PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Graham Peers
graham.peers@colostate.edu
Graham Peers Curriculum Vitae
My primary research interests are: photosynthetic efficiency, how photosynthesis is regulated in a dynamic environment and algal stress physiology. Researchers in the laboratory employ forward and reverse genetics, ‘omics approaches and detailed physiology to investigate these areas. We are particularly interested how these processes differ across the vast evolutionary diversity of algal and cyanobacterial clades.
I teach a wide variety of courses from general cell biology to a hands-on marine research course in Baja California Sur, Mexico. This reflects the diversity of my training as a scientist (from oceanography to applied molecular biology). I strive to illustrate the Nature of Science through the application of critical analyses and experimental design in my coursework and mentorship.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Andrew Paton
I am currently a PhD candidate in the Peers Lab researching the biosynthesis of xanthophyll cycle pigments in the diatom alga Phaeodactylum tricornutum. My interest lies in how the products and effects of photosynthesis interact with algal metabolism and how genetic tools can be used to study and shift that balance. I hope to use this knowledge to improve the production of food, medicine, and fuel with algae, as well as further our understanding of algae in the natural world.
Conor Bertucci
My master’s research in the Peers lab currently involves identifying microalgal strains with high biomass productivity and tolerance to a wide temperature range for growth using industrial flue gas as a sustainable carbon source. The most successful strains will undergo random mutagenesis to enhance resilience to flue gas while preserving biomass. The final strains will be scaled-up to cultivate in 1000L raceway ponds for production of algal biomass for applications such as carbon nanofiber supercapacitor electrodes and black ink. .
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
Brandon Rohnke
I am a postdoctoral research fellow in the Peers lab with a research focus on carbon concentrating mechanisms found in photosynthetic microorganisms. My current work focuses on improving the carbon fixation capabilities of algae used for biofuel production. I earned my Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University, then served as an American Association for the Advancement of Science: Science and Technology Policy Fellow in the U.S. Department of Energy where I developed portfolio analytics capabilities for program managers in Basic Energy Sciences. In my future career, I hope to bring science policy and photosynthesis research together for a greener energy future.
RESEARCH STAFF
Tessema Kassaw
I earned my Ph.D in molecular genetics from Clemson University, in Clemson, South Carolina. I am interested in molecular and synthetic biology. More specifically, my research centers around construction and analysis of synthetic gene networks to develop programmable traits with novel applications. Currently, I am developing episome-based, gene expression modulation tools for the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum trictonutum and engineering Nannochloropsis oceanica for enhanced carbon uptake.
Kalia Kodrich Saavedra
kalia.kodrich_saavedra@colostate.edu
Hi, my name is Kalia and I am a lab manager and research associate for the Peers Lab. I earned my Biological Sciences bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in 2023. I have practiced molecular biology for 2 years and am looking forward to developing my interests and techniques further. I’m especially excited to begin my research on the oomycete Phytophthora infestans during my time in this lab..
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHERS
Courtney Pimentel
Courtney.Pimentel@colostate.edu
My name is Courtney Pimentel, and I am a senior majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in
Microbiology at CSU. I am an undergraduate volunteer laboratory assistant, seeking to better
understand key practices, strategies, and refine my laboratory techniques. I will graduate in the
fall of 2024, with the hopes of continuing on to graduate school to pursue a graduate degree.
During my free time, I enjoy hiking around the Fort Collins area, sketching, and attending
concerts.
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Brianna Terry
My name is Brianna Terry and I am an undergraduate majoring in Biology and minoring in Bioinformatics. In the Peers lab I am working with Tessema Kassaw on the Glucose Transporter in Phaeodactylum tricornutum, expanding on my knowledge of diatoms I gained during my summer internship at the Institute of Systems Biology in Seattle. I hope to go on to graduate school to continue to pursue a career in research.
LAB ALUMNI
Gradate Students!
- Dr. Michael Cantrell, PhD 2019
- Jeremy Primus, ME 2019
- Dr. Mike Caballero, PhD 2017
- Bjoern Andersson, MSc 2017
- Matt Youngblood, MSc 2015
Post-docs and Research Scientists!
- Yu Bai – Postdoc, now at Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research
- Maxwell Ware – Postdoc, now at Free University of Berlin
- Julia Kendrick – Lab Manager, now at Queen’s University at Kingston
- Laura Hantzis – Research Scientist
- Dr. Denghui David Xing – Research Scientist, now Manager of University of Montana Genomics Center
- Dr. Alexandra Gallina – Postdoc, now at Ogden Junior High
- Riannah Holmberg – Lab Manager, now at Genecheck
- Mark Layer – Computer Scientist, now in Soil and Crop Sciences at CSU
Undergraduates!
- Justin Warner
- Evangelin Davids
- Mary Skillicorn
- Anna Moore
- Ethan Green
- Natalie Liberati
- Sarai Ramnani
- Erin Citarella
- Darcy Hunstiger
- Julia Kendrick
- Jessica Marsh
- Taylor Bailey
- Isabella Brandes
- Alexis Mertz
- Katrina Lems
- Minkyeong Cho
- Kate Austin
- Tiffany Wong
- Gus Waneka
- Lauren Cole
- Katie Chaney
- Yun (Leo) Zhang
- Rachel Riley
- Katie Imhoff
- Jonah Williams
- Abby Sulesky
- Allison Ward
- Elena Michel