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Alina A. Corcoranshe/her/hers
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Current Laboratory Members
Neeshia Hee Macanowicz
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Laboratory Research Manager 
I earned a BA in Biology from Northeastern Illinois University in 2008 and a MS in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology from New Mexico State University in 2013. I was drawn to NMSU in part because of its status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. My academic journey began with an exploration of macroinvertebrate populations and led to a position with the US Forest Service. I transitioned to dryland restoration efforts with the US Department of Agriculture in the Chihuahuan Desert. This shift was prompted by the need to address impacts of the climate crisis and underdeveloped land management practices. I have over 7 years’ experience leading field campaigns, collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, and reporting on research. I am dedicated to unraveling our responsibility to the climate and the history of land-grant university status. I firmly believe in the collective power of community to shape an innovative and sustainable future. My professional endeavors are driven by a passion for environmental stewardship and a commitment to fostering positive change in the face of complex ecological challenges.
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Maya Gabitzschshe/her/hers
Undergraduate Research Assistant 
I am currently pursuing a double major in Biology and Environmental Science at New Mexico State University, with an expected graduation in Fall 2024. Following this, I will join the Corcoran Lab as a Master's student. My previous research has concentrated on soil microbiology, specifically biocrusts in the Chihuahuan desert. In addition, I have experience in analyzing the soil microbiome metabolomics of gypsum deserts. My research interests are centered on studying bacterial-environment interactions to deciphering the underlying mechanisms of these interactions. Until I can start my graduate studies, I am assisting on multiple projects in the Corcoran lab including the DOE-funded projects CRIAS (Cultivation-Ready Improved Algae Strains for Increased Carbon Utilization Efficiency) and W2J (Waste to Jet), led by MicrobioEngineering and the Los Alamos National Laboratory, respectively.
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Osher Ostroff
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Master's Student 
In 2022 I earned a B.S. in both Health Sciences and in Biological Sciences from the University of Central Florida. Currently, I am working towards completing an M.S. in Biology with the intention of pursuing a Ph.D. My core research interests pertain to understanding how microorganisms act within symbiotic relationships, and how we can apply this understanding to how we approach agriculture, environmental sustainability, food security, and more.
Prior to joining the Corcoran lab, my research had a focus on plant bioinformatics, phenotyping, and genotyping. My undergraduate independent research involved mapping genetic variation resulting from single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genomes of 288 sunflower cultivars, focusing on the Mevalonate and Methylerythritol phosphate pathways in Helianthus annuus. I hope to use this knowledge moving forward to study the genetic underpinnings for important mutualistic and parasitic relationships between various microorganisms, with an emphasis on algae and bacteria. |
Kamrul Suman
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Doctoral Student 
I obtained my BS in Fisheries in 2014 and my MS in Fisheries Biology and the Aquatic Environment in 2016 from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU, Bangladesh). I was awarded the Prime Minister Gold Medal and a University Grant Commission fellowship to acknowledge my academic achievements, which motivated me to contribute to developing my riverine nation. During my tenure as Marine Fisheries Officer, Fish Culturist Officer, and Fisheries Extension Officer, I became interested in the areas of climate-adaptive biotechnology extension, enhanced fish culture and yield through genetic modification, and sustainable aquatic resource management. I received a one-year mentorship fellowship from the Crawford Fund Australia, which allowed me to work with a University of New South Wales (Australia) to learn about building research collaborations, curating data, generating scientific papers, and navigating the publication process. I started my PhD in the MOLB-ILS program and joined the Corcoran lab in the fall of 2024 as a Graduate Research Assistant. My research will concentrate on how climate change affects the molecular interactions of microorganisms, particularly between algae and bacteria, and how these interactions affect the spread of zoonotic diseases. I am also interested in how the genetic manipulation of algae and bacteria can stimulate improved agriculture, algae-based biofuel, and aquaculture. I love to learn new skills and I believe in scientific collaboration, which can pave the way towards solving a multitude of global problems.
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