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

Staff

Will Finch

I earned my B.S. in Cell Biology and Genetics from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2026. As an undergraduate in Dr. Scott Juntti’s lab and the Biology Honors Program, my thesis investigated the development of social behavior and parent-offspring dynamics in cichlid fish. I am currently a joint technician in Dr. Angueyra’s and Dr. Juntti’s labs, supporting lab operations and research. In the Visual System Development Lab, my work investigates transcription factors important for horizontal cell development and photoreceptor organization in the retina.

Fun Fact

I grew up in Singapore

wfinch (a) terpmail.umd.edu

Undergraduate Students

Annabella Rinaldi (Biology 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 (Biology & University Honors)

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, in the Biology Honors program, majoring in General Biological Sciences. I am also a member of the University Honors Program with a strong interest in developmental neuroscience. My particular focus in the lab is on identifying the transcription factors that drive the development of specific photoreceptor subtypes and exploring how these findings could aid nervous system repair.

Fun Fact

in progress

undisclosed (a) terpmail.umd.edu

Teague McCarthy (NeurHonors)

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park majoring in Neuroscience. I am a member of the Integrated Life Sciences Honors College and am pursuing the Neuroscience Honors Thesis. In the Visual System Development Lab, I am exploring how specific genes affect the development of retinal ganglion cells forming the retinotectal pathway.

Fun Fact

I love all things Pokémon

undisclosed (a) terpmail.umd.edu

McKenna Lam

I am an undergraduate pre-medical student at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Archeology. My research interests span molecular, behavioral, and systems neuroscience, particularly in understanding how neural circuits process sensory information and influence behavior. In the lab, I investigate how inhibiting UV sensitive cone through synaptic vesicle blockade alters neural activity and responses to sensory input.

Fun Fact

I’ve been to over 20 concerts, including performances by Lauryn Hill, Tyler the Creator, and Metallica!

undisclosed (a) terpmail.umd.edu

Anna Yegorova