Martina Dal Bello
Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
I am a microbial community ecologist and my main interest is understanding how the environment shapes the structure of microbial communities. During my PhD at the University of Pisa, I worked under the supervision of Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi, investigating the impacts of pulse perturbations and the occurrence of regime shifts in microbial biofilms and algal forests of intertidal habitats. After working in the field with natural communities, I decided to learn to perform experiments in the lab and I joined Jeff Gore's group at MIT as a postdoc. My postdoctoral research focused on dissecting the effects of temperature and nutrient availability on the diversity and structure of microbial communities. I am fascinated by the possibility of harnessing metabolic principles and structures to understand how bacterial communities assemble and function in diverse environmental conditions.
When I am not playing with bugs, I like to spend time on the beach (mainly inside the water), drawing, gardening, and teasing my cat Phoebe (and/or my husband Bartolomeo Stellato).
Farah Abdul-Rahman
Bioscience Postdoc
I am an evolutionary microbiologist interested in applying a quantitative genetics framework to address ecological questions. Specifically, I am exploring the parallels between functional redundancy in microbial populations and genetic redundancy in individual organisms. Outside the lab, I'm always starting some side project, whether it's drawing, making something, or experimenting with a recipe — special bonus when it intersects with science communication.
Jojo Prentice
PhD Student, EEB
I am graduate student in the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology program. I am fascinated by two general problems: 1) how community and ecosystem properties like diversity, stability, and trophic organization transform across scales of space, time, and functional aggregation, and 2) whether and how processes operating at these different scales canalize and react to individual-level evolution. When not thinking about science, I enjoy a variety of activities, including running, climbing, cooking, and playing Go.
Alika Kawana Ting
Post-graduate Researcher
I am a postgraduate research associate in the Dal Bello Lab, supporting lab management and research projects. I am interested in the intersections of microbiology and soil science, ecology, and agriculture. My previous research experience includes developing an ontogenetic tool to study biofilm formation with the Newman Lab at Caltech, as well as studying fertilization and root exudate production in trees with the Wong/Slessarev Lab group at Yale. I received a B.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and a Certificate in Food, Agriculture, and Climate Change from Yale University, and am originally from Orange County, California. In my free time, I enjoy surfing, baking, playing guitar, and playing pickleball with my friends.
Aabi Whyte-Spence
Undergraduate
I am a rising junior at Yale University majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. While my experience in ecology so far has been limited to plants (particularly how they respond to environmental stressors), environmental microbiology is a growing interest of mine. I think current research into how microbes interact with the carbon sources in their environments has interesting implications for carbon emissions and their overarching ecological impacts. Outside of the lab, I spend my time trying new restaurants in New Haven, working on theater productions, and knitting.
Alex Durt
Undergraduate
I am a junior in Yale College studying Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. I am specifically interested in mathematical and theoretical biology, as well as all the ways that bacteria and phages impact the modern world. I am originally from New York City, the best place on earth. Outside of the lab, I am involved in Yale radio and the Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project, and like to knit, watch films, read, write, and cook.
Phoebe
Lab CATalyst
I provide essential moral support, quality control for all manuscripts, and ensure the lab maintains a healthy work-life balance by demanding regular petting breaks.