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

Research Scientist

He is an ecologist and conservation geneticist with extensive expertise in aquatic biodiversity, molecular ecology, evolutionary biology, and the conservation of fish and other vertebrates. His interdisciplinary research integrates ecology, genomics, taxonomy, toxicology, and bioinformatics to investigate biodiversity patterns, assess organismal responses to environmental change, and develop evidence-based strategies for sustainable ecosystem management. His research focuses on the identification, monitoring, and conservation of threatened marine and freshwater species, particularly within African aquatic ecosystems. Through the integration of field based ecological investigations, molecular laboratory techniques, genomic analyses, and environmental assessments, he seeks to advance understanding of biodiversity, anthropogenic stressors, ecosystem health, and species resilience in changing environments.
Dr. Oladipo is a National Geographic Society Explorer, a member of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) and an active member of the American Fisheries Society, American Elasmobranch Society, Society for Conservation Biology, West and Central Africa Elasmobranch Coalition, and West African Marine Fish DNA Barcoding Network (WAMBA-Net). He has led externally funded research and conservation projects supported by organizations including the National Geographic Society, Save Our Seas Foundation, Rufford Foundation, PADI Foundation, and Society for Conservation Biology.
At the NEGEC Lab, Howard University, Dr. Oladipo continues to advance interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental genomics, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem health, with an interest in understanding how environmental disturbances influence aquatic organisms and their associated microbial communities. Beyond research, he is committed to translating scientific discoveries into conservation action through community engagement, capacity building, and collaborative partnerships.

PhD Candidate

Ikegwu Chukwudi is a PhD candidate in the Nneji Ecology, Genetics, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (NEGEC) Laboratory, Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC. His research focuses on the elevational distribution, biodiversity patterns, and conservation genomics of amphibians and reptiles in tropical montane ecosystems, with particular emphasis on West and Central African highlands. Ikegwu holds a Master’s degree (with Distinction) in Biology (Biodiversity and Bioconservation) and a First Class Honours degree in Applied Biology. His broader research interests include mountain biodiversity monitoring, macroecology, biogeography, and the use of open biodiversity data to identify conservation gaps in understudied high-elevation regions. He is particularly interested in improving data availability and accessibility for threatened montane species to support long-term monitoring and evidence-based conservation planning. Beyond research, he is committed to capacity building and inclusive science, with experience mentoring students and collaborating across institutions in Africa and Southeast Asia. He is an active member of the British Ecological Society and the Ecological Society of America. Outside academia, he engages in creative writing as a means of communicating science and conservation issues to broader audiences

ResearchGate

Olabisi Atofarati

PhD Candidate

Olabisi Atofarati is a PhD candidate 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

Winnie Wanjiku Mambo

PhD student

Winnie Mambo is a PhD student in Conservation Biology, in the NEGEC Lab, Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC. Her research focuses on understanding the distribution, diversity patterns, and conservation needs of vertebrate species. Leveraging ecological niche modeling, she is dedicated to identifying future suitable habitats, climate refugia, and priority regions for conservation efforts. Winnie holds an MSc in Natural Science (Botany) and a First-Class Honors BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is an active member of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society. Beyond her research, Winnie loves travelling and exploring the natural world she is dedicated to protecting.

Stephen Akinola Olaiya

Stephen Akinola Olaiya is a PhD researcher whose work explores innovative solutions to water quality challenges and aquatic ecosystem degradation. His research focuses on developing an enhanced Water Quality Index (eWQI) by integrating conventional water quality parameters with environmental DNA (eDNA) to improve the assessment of pollution and ecosystem health in Nigerian lagoons. Bridging molecular biology and environmental engineering, he combines environmental monitoring, molecular techniques, and data-driven approaches to advance sustainable water resource management. Beyond research, he loves music and enjoys its power to inspire creativity and connect people.

Jala Wilson

Undergraduate student

Jala Wilson is a senior undergraduate student hailing from Richmond, Virginia, pursuing a degree in biology, with two minors in chemistry and Spanish. Her interests include understanding the molecular evolutionary mechanisms that drive biodiversity and the linkage between environmental and human health. She plans to pursue a master’s and PhD in genetics.

Aditya Giri

Undergraduate student

Aditya Giri. I am a first-year undergraduate Biology major from Nepal and HUFS Presidential Scholar at Howard University. I am really interested in how genes and evolution help species survive tough environmental changes like global warming. Ultimately, I want to understand adaptation using computational tools so that I can use them in the future to work on gene modification.
Through my time in the NEGEC Lab, I want to get experience on studying DNA and evolution. I especially want to learn how to analyze genetic data using programming languages to see exactly how different species adapt to their environments. Outside of academics, I love playing soccer, drawing sketches, and listening to music.

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.

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.

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.

Khalifah Najja-N’Kosi

Undergraduate student

Khalifah Najja-N’Kosi is a Junior Biology major with a minor in Maternal and Child Health from Brooklyn, New York. Khalifah aspires of pursuing an MD and become a pediatrician. Alongside her academic journey she enjoys traveling, painting, and trying new foods. With a deep passion for addressing healthcare disparities and giving back to her community, she is committed to a career in medicine and strives to make a meaningful impact in the field.

Cai Green

Undergraduate student

Cai Green is a sophomore biology major on the pre-pharmacy track from Cleveland, Ohio, by way of Silver Spring, Maryland. Her primary objective after obtaining her pharmacy degree is to help diversify clinical trials with the aim of creating drugs that are more effective for minorities. Through participating in the NEGEC lab, Cai hopes to expand her knowledge of genomics and evolution. She plans to use this knowledge as a basis for her future drug discovery research involving pharmacophylogeny and genetics. Heavily invested in her academic journey at Howard University, she is a member of the Pre-Pharmacy Association and the Student Chapter of the American Microbiology Society. Outside of academics, Cai enjoys volunteering and dancing.

Soleil Laroche

Undergraduate student

Soleil Laroche is a sophomore nutritional science major, chemistry minor from South New Jersey. Motivated by a deep curiosity on the prevalence of allergies, atopic diseases, and chronic illnesses, she intends to study the convergence of diet and nutrition with the development of these conditions. She plans to pursue a medical degree and specialize in allergy and immunology, with the goal of becoming an allergist who contributes to the advancement of proper diagnosis and treatment for immunological diseases.

As a member of the NEGEC Lab, she is working to expand her knowledge of the gut microbiome and its critical role in systemic health and immune response. Outside of her research, she gains clinical experience as a medical assistant in an allergy and immunology clinic and enjoys running daily after competing in the 2023 USATF Junior Olympics. On campus, she serves as a Nutrition and Dietician Analyst for the Howard University Student Association and dedicates her time weekly to mentoring young girls through Jewels, Incorporated.

Erin Brown

Undergraduate student

Erin Brown is a sophomore biology major, chemistry minor from Durham, North Carolina. Driven by a strong interest in the pharmaceutical sciences, she plans to pursue a PharmD and build a career in the pharmaceutical industry, where she hopes to contribute to innovative drug development and research. As a member of the NEGEC Lab, she is eager to deepen her understanding of genomics, evolution, and the scientific research process. Beyond the lab and classroom, she is a dancer with the Howard University Bisonette Dance Ensemble and enjoys baking and reading in her free time. On campus, she is actively engaged in the Howard University Pre-Pharmacy Association and serves as a department Sub-Lead for the Howard University Student Association.

Natanim Ambaye

Undergraduate student

Natanim Ambaye is a junior biology major from Ethiopia attending Howard University. She has a strong passion for microbiology, genomics and ecology research. Besides research, she dedicates significant time to clinical and community service as an ICU volunteer and participant in a health-screening program for underserved communities. She also works as a Medical Assistant at a retinal specialist clinic. Upon graduation Natanim plans to attend medical school.

Layla A. Smith

Undergraduate student

Layla A. Smith, a Junior Biology major and Chemistry minor at Howard University, originally from Kansas City, Missouri. I am deeply driven by the complex genetic mechanisms that govern life, with a specific research interest in identifying the drivers of inheritable diseases through epigenetic regulation and DNA methylation.
My long-term professional objective is to become a Physician specializing in Medical Genetics, where I intend to leverage genomic data as a primary tool for innovative preventative care strategies. The NEGEC will help me master DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis. I believe developing expertise in these areas is essential for building the foundational understanding of genetic variation required to predict and proactively treat hereditary conditions.ol.

Hadiya Muhaimin

Undergraduate student

Hadiya Muhaimin is a second-year senior undergraduate Biology major, Chemistry minor from the Bay Area, California. She earned two associate degrees in liberal arts and interdisciplinary science: Science and Quantitative Reasoning at Solano Community College. On Howard University’s campus, Hadiya serves as the President of the newly reinstated Health Sciences Club. She is on the premedical pathway and aspires to be an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. In addition to her dedication to the medical pathway, she strives to earn a master’s degree within the fields of biodiverse science. With her interest in expanding her knowledge in genetics and ecology research as a student as part of the NEGEC lab.