The Research Team

PI

Juan Angueyra, M.D., Ph.D. (Assistant Professor)

I am interested in how retinal circuits are built and designed, to be able to use information relayed by photoreceptors and, to support vision.
I have studied photoreceptors in many species including scallop and amphioxus (with Enrico Nasi and Maria Gomez at the MBL in Woods Hole), primate and mouse (with Fred Rieke at UW in Seattle), squirrel and zebrafish (with Wei Li and Katie Kindt at NIH), and hope to keep this list growing.

Fun Fact

I love making/eating bread 🥖

angueyra (a) umd.edu

angueyraLab.github.io

0000-0002-9217-3069

@juanonyme

angueyraLab

Graduate Students

Carinna M. Householder (BISI - MOCB)

I earned my bachelors degree in Biology from Roanoke College in 2021. In undergrad, I studied how light conditons influence monolignol synthesis in the Arabidopsis thaliana. I became fascinated by how the environment influences epigenetic networks of genes and further pursued this at UMD. In the Visual System Development lab, I am interested in exploring how transcription factors infuence the generation of the final cellular identity of photoreceptors in the developing retina.

Fun Fact

I own a pair of blobfish slippers

chouseho (a) umd.edu

Autumn S. Lee (BISI - BEES)

I am a PhD student in Biological Sciences, in the BEES program. I graduated from Mount Holyoke College, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Behavior as well as a certificate in Coastal and Marine Sciences. Currently, I’m working on a project investigating the cone-specific pathways that underlie shoaling behavior in zebrafish. In addition to contributing to knowledge about retinal development, I am passionate about addressing climate change and other anthropogenic issues using zebrafish models. I’m PADI SCUBA certified, enjoy exploring and drawing in art museums, and crocheting.

Fun Fact

I’m PADI SCUBA certified, enjoy exploring and drawing in art museums, and crocheting.

asolee24 (a) umd.edu

Iris (Yirong) Liang (NACS)

I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology from the University of California, Davis, in 2023. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I investigated the firing profiles of neurons in the primary visual cortex, analyzing their responses to various stimulus patterns in their receptive fields. As a member of the Visual System Development Lab, my research centers on understanding the development of visual circuits. My primary focus is on discerning how different genes influence synaptic activity, which is a pivotal factor in the communication and evolution of photoreceptors.

Fun Fact

I have the cutest cat named Latte.

yliang03 (a) umd.edu

Undergraduate Students

Annabella Rinaldi (Integrated Life Sciences Honors)

I am a second year undergraduate student at University of Maryland, College park, pursuing a double degree in biological sciences with a concentration in neurobiology and physiology as well as psychology. I am also in the integrated life sciences honors college and will be pursuing the biological science honors thesis. During my time at the Visual System Development lab I hope to explore the connection between different transcription factors and their mutant phenotypes and expand my knowledge how genetics impact disease.

Fun Fact

I volunteer as an EMT for the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad

undisclosed (a) terpmail.umd.edu

Eleni Antoniades (University Honors)

in progress

Fun Fact

in progress

Sofia Apgar (General Biology)

I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park majoring in General Biology. As a peer research mentor in the FIRE CellEx program, I have spent the past two years studying ribosome biogenesis. At the Visual System Development Lab, I am excited to explore the transcription factors underlying the development and differentiation of horizontal cells in zebrafish, as well as how synaptic connectivity may influence the cell fate of photoreceptors.

Fun Fact

I am a painter and enjoy swing dancing and knitting in my free time!

https://sofia-art.carrd.co/#

Teague McCarthy (Biology)

in progress

Fun Fact

in progress

Leah Kwak (Gemstone Honors)

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park majoring in the biological sciences with a concentration in neurobiology and physiology as well as a member in the Gemstone Honors program. I am interested in exploring how the fundamental components of biological processes are correlated and synergize with one another to sustain living systems. I believe that this is the first step in working towards further investigating complex issues such as biological disorders that impact many lives today.

Fun Fact

Alice in Wonderland is my favorite film

lkwak1 (a) terpmail.umd.edu