Dr. Jenan J Kharbush (she/her)
Primary Investigator
I earned my BA in Biology and Chemistry from Ripon College in Ripon, WI, and a PhD in Chemical Oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, CA. As a chemist I always looked at biology as being based on chemistry and chemical reactions (and it is!), but my PhD work led to a new fascination with the reverse scenario: microbial life can alter the chemistry of the environment. As a postdoc at Harvard University in the Earth and Planetary Sciences department, I learned about the power of stable isotope signatures to trace and understand important microbial processes, from the intracellular level to larger-scale patterns in the environment. I am fascinated by the complexity of microbial life and the outsized impact it has on the environment, past and present.
I love being outdoors and playing in the dirt (aka gardening). I was a competitive soccer player until recently and hope to have the chance to make my return soon! I have two cats (Simsim and Bellagio), and a one year old daughter (Hana).
Current lab members
Ashley Burtner (she/her)
Lab Manager/Research Lab Specialist
I earned my B.S. in environmental science from the University of Notre Dame and my M.S. in aquatic ecology from the University of Michigan. After working in stream biogeochemistry for my undergrad and graduate work, I switched to the Great Lakes. I worked for the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research and NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab where I connected biogeochemistry to a wide array of Great Lakes issues including harmful algal blooms, invasive species, and changes to the lower food web, before starting as lab manager at U-M.
Diana Velazquez (she/her)
PhD candidate
I joined the Kharbush Lab as a PhD student in 2021 studying carbon and nitrogen cycling in ancient and modern anoxic lake environments. I am interested in tracing biogeochemical cycling through compound specific stable isotopes and biomarkers. Before joining the Kharbush Lab, I obtained my B.A. in Environmental Science from Northwestern University where I conducted undergraduate research on soil organic carbon sequestration. As a first gen Latina student, I am also passionate about fostering and supporting underrepresented groups in STEM through my involvement in UM SACNAS and the EES DEI committee.
Abigail (Abby) Reed (she/her)
PhD student
I began working in both the Kharbush Lab and Newell Lab (located in U-M SEAS) as a PhD student in 2024 studying nitrogen cycling and winter limnology. My research examines how ice cover may influence nitrification rates in Western Lake Erie. I also hope to investigate other interdisciplinary approaches to studying winter conditions in Lake Erie, including remote sensing and archival records. I received my B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from University of South Florida where I conducted research projects documenting wetland loss, wetland distribution as it pertains to environmental justice, documenting shifting vegetation patterns in a marsh, and how land use change may be reflected in diminished recordings of bird sightings. When I am not in the lab or in the field, I enjoy hiking, rock hounding, birding, and exploring my new home state of Michigan.
Colton Bragg
Masters student/PhD student 2026
I joined the Kharbush Lab in 2024 as a master’s student to investigate the effects of freshwater acidification on harmful algal bloom communities. Before this, I obtained my B.S. in Ecology and Evolution from Saginaw Valley State University. I’ve since decided to stay at U-M for a PhD in the Kharbush Lab and Michigan Geomicrobiology Lab where I will use multi-omic and molecular approaches to investigate Microcystis aeruginosa, a toxic cyanobacterial species. I’m especially interested in investigating M. aeruginosa genetic regulation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism, cellular controls on toxin production, and secondary metabolism. Through these metagenomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic techniques, I will also explore the broader microbial community ecology of harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. Outside of research I enjoy reading, finding new music, hiking/camping, and playing the guitar.
Olivia Byrd, undergraduate researcher
Olivia Eilf, undergraduate researcher
Former members
Raisha Rahman, lab technician
Now a PhD student at the University of Washington School of Oceanography
Thea Bartlett, lab manager
Now an instrumentation specialist at SDMyers
Harry “Trey” Topping, undergraduate student
Now at Georgetown University (Masters in Public Policy Program)
Sean Henry, undergraduate student
Now a lab technician at Duke University
Caroline Peck, undergraduate student
Now at the University of Florida
Elizabeth (Ela) Kusmierz, undergraduate student
Now an environmental scientist at Langan Engineering and Environmental Services