Lab members

Natalie Niemi, Ph.D


Assistant Professor


B.S., The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor


Ph.D., Van Andel Institute Graduate School


Postdoc, The University of Wisconsin-Madison,

Morgridge Institute for Research



Scientific interests: mitochondria, metabolism, phosphatases, signaling cascades, testable hypotheses, promoting women in science, improving mentorship


Non-scientific interests: buying too many books, running (slowly), trying new recipes, celebratory champagne, family trips to Michigan in the summertime, watching old music videos on MTV Classic, competing with my kids for time on the Switch


email: niemi@wustl.edu

twitter: @nieminm

Thiago Menezes, Ph.D.


Postdoctoral Research Scholar


B.S.: Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil

PhD: Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil

Postdoc: University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Postdoc: Saint Louis University, USA


Scientific interests: Mitochondrial bioenergetics, fission and fusion, heart and liver function, redox homeostasis


Non-scientific interests: Watching sports, TV shows, and movies, playing soccer, listening to vinyl records, playing guitar and cavaco, and trying new whiskies and beers



email: menezes@wustl.edu

twitter: @thiagonmenezes

Keri-Lyn Kozul, Ph.D.


Postdoctoral Researcher

B.Sc. (Hons.), The University of Queensland, Australia

Ph.D., The University of Queensland, Australia



Scientific interests:  How cells maintain homeostasis and regulate processes to prevent disease, with a primary focus on how this happens in mitochondrial function.


Non-scientific interests: baking, sewing, embroidering, playing guitar, singing, drinking coffee in cute cafes, travelling.


email: kozul@wustl.edu

twitter: @KeriKozul

Hannah Pletcher


Graduate student
Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology


B.S., Purdue University


Scientific interests: Broadly understanding metabolic biochemistry, and in the lab specifically studying how phosphorylation in the mitochondria impacts metabolism


Non-scientific interests: hiking, knitting, reading, baking, and exploring the city with friends



email: h.e.pletcher@wustl.edu

twitter: @hpletch

Lianjie (Jerry) Wei


Graduate Student
Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology


B.A., B.S., The University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill



Scientific interests:  Understanding the interplay between mitochondrial protein homeostasis and cellular energy metabolism


Non-scientific interests: soccer, basketball, running, hiking, bouldering, reading, cooking


email: jerry.w@wustl.edu

twitter: @jerrylianjiewei

Youmian Yan


Graduate student
Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology


B.A., Colby College

Scientific interests: General interest in studies about the mechanisms underlying regulatory pathways, and specifically how protein import is regulated during mitochondrial biogenesis in the Niemi Lab

Non-scientific interests: reading, biking, running, playing badminton, visiting art museums



email: y.youmian@wustl.edu

Tessa Lochetto


Graduate Student
Molecular and Cellular Biology


B.S., Florida State University



Scientific interests:  Broad interest in mitochondrial metabolism influencing striated muscle development, and in the lab, specifically studying how regulated phosphorylation is imperative for the health, development, and physiology of skeletal and cardiac muscle.


Non-scientific interests: visiting coffee shops, playing volleyball, reading, crochet, spoken word poetry, and exploring the STL breweries.


email: l.tessa@wustl.edu

twitter: @tloch_

Emily Harrelson


Graduate Student
Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology


B.S., University of Missouri-Columbia



Scientific interests:  Understanding the regulation of metabolism and protein lifespans.


Non-scientific interests: playing the cello, hiking, knitting, getting new house-plants, and reading


email: e.harrelson@wustl.edu

Srikar Vegensa


Undergraduate Student
Pursuing Bachelor’s degree in Biology, WUSTL



Scientific interests:   Broad interest in mechanistic and structural cell biology, with a general focus on understanding genetic processes


Non-scientific interests: nature travelling, photography, coffee + tea, history museums, occasional cookin


email: s.v.vegesna@wustl.edu

Niemi Lab Alumni

  • Emily Hunter, Ph.D.

    Staff Scientist - 2020-2022

    Project: Determining the mechanisms underlying disrupted mitochondrial protein homeostasis in Pptc7 KO systems

    Moved onto: A Scientific Editor position at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

  • Michaela Morhaus

    Research Technician - 2020-2022

    Project: Understanding metabolic defects resulting from loss of the mitochondrial phosphatase Pptc7

    Moved onto: Earning an MD/PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Klaudio Fatmiri

    BBSB Rotation Student - 2021

    Project: Optimizing new systems for mitochondrial protein import

    Moved onto: Graduate studies in the Soranno lab

  • Shambhavi Bhagwat

    MCB Rotation Student - 2022

    Project: Characterizing the effects of phosphorylation on TCA cycle enzymes

    Moved onto: Graduate studies in the Goodwin and DeSalm labs

  • Kaelin Dean

    BMB Summer Undergraduate Researcher - 2022

    Project: Determining molecular contributions to Pptc7 phosphatase activity

    Moved onto: Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology (BBSB) Ph.D. student at Washington University in St. Louis.

  • Andy Lozano

    BBSB Rotation Student - 2023

    Project: Optimizing assays to quantify mitophagy in mammalian cells

  • Merima Forny

    Staff Scientist - 2022-2023

    Project: Understanding the role of mitochondrial phosphorylation in vivo

    Moved onto: Staff Scientist at WashU

  • Jordyn Svoboda

    BMB Summer Undergraduate Researcher - 2023

    Project: Optimizing proximity labeling strategies to characterize mitophagy

    Moved onto: Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology (BBSB) Ph.D. student at Washington University in St. Louis.

  • Maxine Akunnakwe

    BMB Summer Undergraduate (SURGE) Researcher - 2024

    Project: Studying the implications of certain mutations on IDH2 to understand its basic functions and biochemistry.

    Moved onto: Finishing undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

  • Baika Erdenepurev

    BMB Summer Undergraduate (SURGE) Researcher - 2024

    Project: Understanding contributions to mitochondrial presequence strength

    Moved onto: Finishing undergraduate degree at the University of Washington.