Ball State University, Department of Biology
Lab Members
Philip J. Smaldino, Ph.D.
Principle Investigator
Phil earned a B.S. and M.S. in biology at SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Buffalo, before completing a Ph.D. in cancer biology at Wake Forest University in 2013.
During his doctoral training, Phil met his future wife, Melissa Smaldino, who was completing a Ph.D. in neuroscience. Phil and Melissa spent the subsequent 3 years as a Postdoctoral Fellows at the University of Michigan before starting a lab at Ball State University in 2016.
Phil and Melissa enjoy spending time with their seven kids, Sophia-Noel, David, Michael, Augustine, Zelie-Therese, Rosa-Maria, and Louis, tending to their small farm, and reading aloud poetry and good books together.
Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner, ca. 1700, "Mary Undoer of Knots"
Current Students
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Masters Student
Christiana Whittey, B.S.
Masters Student
Nana Akua Koranteng, B.S.
Undergraduate Student
Abbey Wiggam
Lab Alumni
Adam Richardson
(M.S. 2019)
Then: Eli-Lilly Co-Op
Now: Scientist I, AbbVie
Tumor Dependency Drug Discovery
Antonio Chambers
(M.S. 2019)
Then: ATL Contract Scientist
Now: Senior Biologist, Eli Lilly
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Peter Beerbower
(B.S. 2018)
Now: PhD Candidate
North Dakota State University
Abbie Scott
(M.A. 2020)
Then: Auburn Veterinary School of Medicine, Class of 2024
Now: Veterinarian Logue's TLC Pet Hospital
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Nick Marzolf
(B.S. 2018)
Now: Senior Field Engineering,
Roche Diagnostics
Amari Crosby
(B.S. 2017)
Now: Inventory Manager
Katana Lipsomb
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High School Summer Research Student (’17)
DeKayla Elliot
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High School Summer Research Student (’18)
Destinee Saunders
(B.S. 2021)
Then: Phlebotomist
Now: Senior IT Coordinator Aces Energy Solution
Emily Schmidt
(B.S. 2021)
Now: Secondary Ed, Chemistry
Hasna Alashi
(M.S. 2021)
Now: PhD Student
University College London
Joseph Huang
(M.A. Candidate, 2021)
Now: University of Illinois - Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2025
Meredith Sharlow
(B.S. 2021)
Then: Elli-Lilly Co-Op (21-22)
Now: ATL/Lily Scientsit
Siara Sandwith
(B.S. 2021)
Now: PhD Candidate
University of Michigan, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Michael Reisinger
(B.S. 2021)
Now: Scientist at LabCorp
Tyler Osborne
(B.S. 2022)
Now: Indiana University School of Medicine, Class of 2027
Taylor Karns
(M.S. 2022)
Then: Lilly/BSU Co-Op
Now: Lilly Scientist
Dylan Seiler
(M.S. 2024)
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Now: Lily/BSU Co-Op
Alex Gestwicki
High School Research Student
Now: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Class of 2029
Ahmad Ahmad
(B.S. 2024)
Now: Medical Student
Indiana University School of Medicine, Class of 2029
Quinn Anderson
(M.S. 2023)
Now: Research Associate
Case Western Reserve
Charline Charles
(B.S., 2025)
Now: Optometry Technician
Emma Eubanks
(B.S. 2024)
Now: PhD Student
Vanderbilt School of Medicine
​
Evan Rogers
(B.S. 2025)
Now: Lilly/BSU Co-Op
​
2LT Joseph Gumina
(M.S. 2025)
Now: Medical Student
Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2029
(full Army Scholarship)
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Nicolas Bontzek
Nicolas Bontzek
High School Research Student, Summer 2025
Logan Patterson
Now: Indiana University Kokomo
Omar Habous
Acheampong-kusi Magdalene, B.S.
(M.S. 2026)