People

Julie Suzanne Biteen (she/her/hers) : Janine Maddock Collegiate Professor of Chemistry and of Biophysics

Julie Suzanne Biteen (she/her/hers)

Janine Maddock Collegiate Professor of Chemistry and of Biophysics

Julie has been applying her passions for optics, imaging, and biophysics to solving scientific problems for over 20 years. In addition to critical thinking, she loves scientific communication, teaching, and building a diverse, interdisciplinary, and international research community. Outside of work, this Canadian expat enjoys travel, eating, outdoor sports, and time with family.
Resume (pdf)
jsbiteen@umich.edu

Lauren McCarthy (she/her/hers) : Postdoctoral Scholar, IRACDA Fellow

Lauren McCarthy (she/her/hers)

Postdoctoral Scholar, IRACDA Fellow

Lauren comes from Jacksonville, FL and graduated with her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Florida with a minor in Physics. Her interdisciplinary interests led her to pursue a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Rice University in Houston, TX where she characterized the optical properties of single nanoparticles. In the Biteen Lab, she is studying how bacterial cells organize themselves, particularly under stress. In addition to her interests in the lab, Lauren loves to listen to podcasts, take her dog on long walks, and spend time with her family.
lamccar@umich.edu

Luis Ortiz-Rodríguez (he/him/his) : Postdoctoral Scholar, Michigan Life Sciences Fellow

Luis Ortiz-Rodríguez (he/him/his)

Postdoctoral Scholar, Michigan Life Sciences Fellow

Luis comes from Luquillo, PR and graduated with his B.S. in Biology from University of Puerto Rico-Humacao Campus. He earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, where he scrutinized the excited state dynamics and electronic relaxation pathways of thionated heavy-atom-free photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy applications. In the Biteen Lab, he is developing next-generation methods for measuring subcellular interactions in living microbial cells. Luis also enjoys exercising, concerts, eating, and watching sports.
lortz@umich.edu

Daniel Foust (he/him/his) : Postdoctoral Scholar

Daniel Foust (he/him/his)

Postdoctoral Scholar

Daniel is originally from Pasco, WA. He earned a B.S. in Physics from Washington State University and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. His research interests revolve around using spectroscopic approaches to measure molecular interactions in complex environments. Outside of the lab Daniel enjoys running.
djfoust@umich.edu

David Fuller : PhD Student, Chemistry

David Fuller

PhD Student, Chemistry

David is from Portland, Oregon and received his B.S. in Chemistry from Portland State University. His previous research focused on peroxide decomposition kinetics and transcytolemmal water exchange in yeast. This work became the foundation for his interest in spectroscopy and imaging, which led him to UM. Outside of the lab he loves playing music, cooking, and learning about history.
fulld@umich.edu

Yekaterina (Kate) Fyodorova (she/her/hers) : PhD Student, Chemistry

Yekaterina (Kate) Fyodorova (she/her/hers)

PhD Student, Chemistry

Kate was born and raised in Taraz, Kazakhstan and later immigrated to the United States and earned her B.S. in Chemistry at St. John's University in Queens, New York. In her undergraduate research, she worked with DNA origami. To change research directions in graduate school, she is working on single-molecule imaging in fission yeast. Outside of the lab, she enjoys her walks in the parks, reading books, playing board games, and swimming.
yfyod@umich.edu

Xiaofeng Dai : PhD Student, Chemistry

Xiaofeng Dai

PhD Student, Chemistry

Xiaofeng is from Tianjin, China. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Nankai University. His interest in understanding microscopic interactions in biosystems and nanomaterials brought him into the field of super-resolution imaging. In his free time, he likes reading, playing badminton, and chess. He has a passion for experiencing different cultures and trying new things.
xiaofend@umich.edu

Ishika (she/her/hers) : PhD Student, Biophysics

Ishika (she/her/hers)

PhD Student, Biophysics

Ishika is from Haryana, in northern India. She earned a bachelor's in Chemistry from U. Delhi, and a master's in Chemistry from IIT Delhi, where she studied the kinetics of polyphenol degradation in almost aqueous conditions and collaborated to identify inhibitors against the neurological illness ALS; she is broadly interested in spectroscopy and biology. In her free time, Ishika enjoys sketching, badminton, listening to music, spending time with friends, and—more recently—learning to ice skate.
iishika@umich.edu

Ryan Hoffman : PhD Rotation Student, Chemistry

Ryan Hoffman

PhD Rotation Student, Chemistry

Ryan is from Baltimore, Maryland. Ryan earned his B.S. in chemistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Previously, he worked on developing a gold nanoparticle based-sensor for the detection of lead in drinking water. Outside of the lab, Ryan enjoys weight lifting, playing basketball, reading, and cooking.
ryanhof@umich.edu

Sam Steen (he/him/his) : PhD Rotation Student, Program in Chemical Biology

Sam Steen (he/him/his)

PhD Rotation Student, Program in Chemical Biology

Sam grew up in Rocky Hill, New Jersey. He attended Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI, earning a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology. His undergraduate research was on the dynamics and morphology of the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum, and one result of this research was his long-term interest in fluorescence and super-resolution microscopy. In his spare time, Sam enjoys reading, board games, and all things outdoors.
samsteen@umich.edu

Rachel Kim (she/her/hers) : PhD Rotation Student, Medical Scientist Training Program

Rachel Kim (she/her/hers)

PhD Rotation Student, Medical Scientist Training Program

Rachel is from San Jose, California. She attended Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA and earned her B.A. in Chemistry. Her undergraduate research used computational models to study the electrostatic interactions underlying macromolecule interactions in the cell. Outside of lab, she enjoys running and baking.
rachelki@med.umich.edu

Sarah El-Mohri (she/her/hers) : Undergraduate Researcher and Technician

Sarah El-Mohri (she/her/hers)

Undergraduate Researcher and Technician

Sarah is an undergraduate student pursuing her B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Microbiology at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in cellular biology after graduating in December. Sarah is working with Lauren McCarthy on bacterial cell biology. During her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and lifting weights.
selmohri@umich.edu


Join Our Team – Open Positions!

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in our work! I am very interested in hearing from energetic University of Michigan students who would like to learn more about my new research group. PhD rotation positions are available for 2025-2026 (please see these links for info about applying to the Chemistry PhD program and the Biophysics PhD program). Interested UM freshman and sophomores should apply to work in the lab via the UROP program and motivated undergrads should check out the UM Chemistry and Biophysics NSF REU Programs.

Alumni