People – negeclab

LAB MEMBERS

Lotanna Micah Nneji, PhD (He/His)

Assistant Professor

I am an interdisciplinary scientist interested in understanding the diversity, ecology, population genetics and distribution patterns of animals such as invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. My research incorporates natural (ecology, genetics and evolution), physical (climate) and social sciences to understand wildlife ecology and improve conservation. I am also interested in communicating science to the public through outreach programmes and storytelling.

Faculty Profile Link

Google Scholar

ResearchGate

Segun Olayinka Oladipo, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

I am a zoologist with interest in ecology, genetics and conservation of West and Central Africa fishes and other vertebrates. I hold a Ph.D. in Zoology, a master’s degree in Zoology and a bachelor’s degree in Zoology. My research focuses on taxonomy, biodiversity science and ecological studies of wildlife using morphological and DNA-based assessment to understand how best organisms respond to varying environmental conditions.

ResearchGate

Ikegwu Chukwudi M

PhD Student

Ikegwu Chukwudi is a PhD student in the NEGEC Lab, Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington DC. His research focuses on the elevational distribution, diversity patterns and conservation genomics of amphibians and reptiles from montane regions. He holds a Distinction in MSc Biology (Biodiversity and Bioconservation), and a First Class Honors in BSc Applied Biology. Mr Chukwudi is dedicated to the conservation of threatened animal species, with a particular emphasis on herpetofauna. He is an active member of the British Ecological Society and the Society for Conservation Biology. Aside from science, he spends time on creative writings.

ResearchGate

Olabisi Atofarati

PhD Student

Olabisi Atofarati is a PhD student in the NEGEC Lab, Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington DC. Her research focuses on understanding the diet compositions and microbiomes in the gut contents of freshwater and marine fishes from African aquatic ecosystems. She graduated with a First Class Honors in BS Zoology. She also graduated with a Distinction in MS Environmental Biology. She is keen on understanding how anthropogenic activities threaten ecosystems and how climate change impacts biodiversity. Outside the lab, Ms Olabisi loves spending time with my family and cooking.

Google Scholar

Amaya Everett

Undergraduate student

Amaya Everett is a first-year Biology major and intended Chemistry minor from St. Louis, Missouri. Actively involved in her academic journey, she is a member of the Women In Pre-Med Howard Chapter and Health Professions Society. In the spring semester of 2024, she commenced her role as an undergraduate research assistant within the Department of Biology, focusing on DNA extraction and PCR amplification. Beyond her academic pursuits, she enjoys playing golf and dedicates her time to volunteering at soup kitchens and healthcare facilities. With aspirations of attending medical school to pursue an MD upon graduation, Amaya is driven to make a difference in the field of medicine.

Kennedy Kristianna Smith

Undergraduate student

Kennedy K. Smith is a senior undergraduate student from Chicago, Illinois. She is a member of the sixth cohort of the Karsh STEM Scholar Program, double-majoring in biology and chemistry. Her ultimate academic goal is to attend graduate school to earn her PhD and become a chemical ecologist. By combining her lab and field experiences, she hopes to conduct dynamic and creative projects to uncover the intricacies of social behavior. With social insects as her system, she will focus on not only the evolution of eusociality, but also chemically facilitated ecological interactions.

Paul Jones

Undergraduate student

Paul Jones is a senior Honors Biology major, Chemistry minor, from Saint Ann Jamaica with the intention of attending medical school upon the completion of his undergraduate degree. He is actively involved in his academic sojourn at the Howard University, being a member of the Howard University Medical Mentorship Program and the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program. Mr. Jones plans to specialize in Cardiology and Nephrology and has an interest in the field of Oncology research. He has a passion for changing lives through medical skills and research, and endeavors to feed that passion with the knowledge and experiences garnered in the NEGEC lab through informed and reproducible experimental research. Outside of his academic interests, he loves to travel to new countries and to spend time with his family.

Zion Vaughn

Undergraduate student

Zion Vaughn is a sophomore undergraduate student from Easton, Pennsylvania, pursuing an Honors degree in Environmental Science. His academic interests lie in conservation and biodiversity, with a strong passion for understanding nature and the factors influencing species survival. Through his involvement in this lab, Zion aims to deepen his knowledge in the field and work toward his goal of integrating species and environmental data to assess population risks on a broader scale.

Samya Walker

Undergraduate student

Samya Walker is a senior environmental science major and Spanish minor from Chicago, Illinois. On Howard University’s campus, she currently serves as an Environmental Studies Teaching Fellow with the National Equity Education Lab and previously served as the secretary of the Howard University Water Environment Association (HUWEA). Samya is passionate about ecology, climate change studies, environmental justice, and connecting research to policy. Her passion for ecology and policy led her to research the biodiversity, microclimate and usage of urban greenways as a member of the Socio-Ecological Role of Greenways in Urban Systems (SERGUS) REU. Through her time at the NEGEC Lab, Samya hopes to understand how climate change impacts species distribution, biodiversity, and the movement of invasive species.

Jayda Du Pont De Lancy

Undergraduate student

Jayda Du Pont De Lancy is a senior Biology major, Chemistry minor from Trinidad and Tobago, pursuing a Pre-Physician Assistant track. She is the co-founder of Howard University’s first Pre-PA program, “Pathway to PA”, which maintains a direct relationship with the Howard University PA school. Jayda is actively involved in the Howard University Medical Mentorship Program and the Howard University Red Cross Club, where she participates in blood drives and other community initiatives. She began her undergraduate research journey in the Department of Biology through the NEGEC Lab, where she engages in hands on experiments and currently an independent research project in collaboration with the lab. She is particularly interested in Oncology and Hematology and is passionate about translating her research in molecular biological techniques and clinical experience to contribute to advances in healthcare. In addition to research, she dedicates significant time to clinical experience as a Patient Care Assistant and Clinical Support Services Assistant, volunteers in hospitals and food banks. She plans to attend PA school after graduation, combining her training, experience and dedication to make a tangible difference in the world.

Kylee Blount

Undergraduate student

Kyle Blount is a junior undergraduate honors student majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology, from Augusta, Georgia. She is a member of the 7th cohort of the Karsh STEM Scholars Program. Her ultimate academic goal is to attend graduate school to earn M.D./Ph.D. in genetics and evolution, with the hope of becoming a physician-scientist. She is excited to contribute to the NEGEC Lab’s work on the diversity, distribution, and conservation of amphibians, reptiles, and fish, and to gain research experience that strengthens her passion for genetics, evolution, and global health.

Amari Hutchins

Undergraduate student

Amari Hutchins is a Senior Biology major Chemistry minor from Atlanta, Georgia attending Howard University. She has a passion for researching vector borne disease mechanisms and understanding the epidemiology behind emerging infectious diseases of that nature. Her goal aspirations are to become an epidemiologist, or a zoonotic/vector borne disease researcher protecting the public from foreign pathogen leaks in domestic/international territories. Through involvement with the lab, Amari aims to become more proficient in ecological research studies conducting independent projects as well as deepening her knowledge on environmental lab procedures in the field.

Field Consultants/Field Assistants

Dr. Kehinde Moruf Adelakun

Mr. Kelechi Precious Ilobi

John Usongo

Godswill Patrick Ekpe

Chigozie David Nwachukwuneke

Field Technologist

Lab Alumni

Erica Lowery (2025)

Maname Kobe Asiamah (2024-2025)

Paul Jones (2025)

Tahmiah K. Thomas (2025)

Janae’ Wooten (2024), Undergraduate Student

Keshawn Ross (2023 - 2024), Graduate Student

Tiffany Connor (2024), Undergraduate Student