What? My research laboratory studies (1) how human cells respond to viral infections, (2) how viruses evolve to counteract our immune system, and (3) how viruses can be used to selectively kill cancer cells. I also collaborate with Dr. Hwayeon Ryu (Math Department) and co-mentor students interested in mathematical modeling of diseases.

How? We grow human cells in vitro and use cell (microscopes, cellular metabolism, signaling pathways, etc.), molecular genetics (e.g., PCR, gene editing, bioinformatics) and biochemical (e.g., protein levels, localization, and post-translational modifications) approaches to analyze cellular changes after exposure to viruses.

Why? Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that must adjust the biology of the cell they infect to facilitate their replication. Thus, viruses can teach us a lot about biology in addition to how to better target them.

Current students: Elise Butterbach (Biomed Engineering '27; Lumen Scholar), Alex Roberts (Bio '27), Kalialani Choate (Biochem '28), Lisa Kranec (Biomed Engineering '28; Lumen Scholar), Katherine Johnson (Biochem and Public Health '28; College Fellow), Zach Stein (Bio '29) and Ava Mulchin (Bio '29; Honors Fellow)

Am I accepting students? My lab is currently full until at least Fall of 2027 or Spring 2028.

Lab Website: https://riveraserranolab.com/

Research Background: As a graduate student at Michigan State University, I studied how the stress hormone, corticosterone, impacts the development of your antibody producing B white blood cells. As a postdoctoral researcher at UNC, I studied how cell adhesion impacts intracellular signaling in T white blood cells.

The Train Lab at Elon: I normally mentor 3-4 students per year on a variety of research projects that have to do with cellular function and molecular signaling. What each project has in common is that our model system is human cell culture (we grow human cells in a dish). We develop a project to explore what cellular function or molecular signaling pathway to explore. See below for some former projects (all of which could be built upon to create a new project for you!).

Some Former/Current Research Projects:

• Asparaginase chemotherapeutic resistance in leukemia and neuroblastoma

• The anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of cucurbitacins

• The impact of cannabinoid isomers on neuronal cells

Availability: My lab is currently full. I will have openings in Fall 2026. If you are interested, I will be chatting with students in the spring.

What we do: We use qualitative and quantitative methods to study factors that influence science learners. My research students investigate the impact of physical learning spaces, instructor behavior, and cognitive and social variables on learning outcomes. Students in my lab gain skills in study design involving human subjects, instrument development, mixed methods data analysis, and communication.

Who's eligible to join the lab? I am open to exploring questions of interest to prospective mentees, or helping new students find a niche in an ongoing project. I require at least a three semester commitment (could include summer).

Where can I learn more about what's going on in the lab? Email Dr. Merricks for a meeting (jmerricks@elon.edu)

Research topics: plant ecology, invasive plants, plant community and population ecology, forest successional processes, trees and carbon sequestration.

Research with me:

I have guided the research of 69 students on 71 projects in my time at Elon. If a student contacts me, I work with them to identify topics that they are interested in and for which I would be a good mentor. Each student is involved in their individual project from its conception during our first discussions, to its completion with presentations at both undergraduate and professional venues.

Current students:

Jaqueline Zacharias, ENS (carbon storage in Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area, phase II-field data and GIS analysis)

Kate Ponder, ENS (carbon storage and ecosystem services in ShallowFord Natural Area, field data and GIS analysis)

Bryan Hampson, ENS (TBD)

Courses taught: 

Biodiversity, Population Biology, Dendrology, Conservation Biology, Bio Senior Seminar, non-majors bio, upper level COR, Miami, FL, (winter term Study USA course), Panama Field Ecology (Winter term study abroad).

Students in my lab bring their own interests and combine it with my experience in HRV. Past projects include sleep deprivation, covid exposure/vaccination, religious beliefs, anxiety and music therapy, caffeine consumption, healthy eating, and oral hygiene.

HRV is a calculated function of electrocardiograms, (don't worry - the software does the heavy lifting!) and students do the statistics.

Am I taking new students? Maybe - you will have to impress me with a really interesting proposed project.

Past students and projects

(posters can be seen outside of my office (McM 220)

Jimmy LaMore Effects of Sleep Deprivation on HRV

Cory McCall Effects of Covid on HRV

Kathryn Paturzo Effects of Religion on HRV

Annalise Tolley Effects of Music Intervention and Stress Reduction on HRV

Classes I teach

Human Physiology (BIO 2412)

Introduction to Cell Biology (BIO 1112)

Developmental Biology (every other spring)

Senior Seminar (BIO 4970)

As of Fall'26: I could potentially accept ~2 research students if there is a good fit. Read more about my research and opportunities for undergraduate research at https://dgammonelon.wordpress.com/research/

Research topics: multimodal and vibrational communication; mating behavior; interactions between species.

Current students:

Avery Minard, BIO, multimodal communication in meadow katydids

Jeanne Blau, ENS, meadow katydid species associations with habitat types in central NC

Courses taught: 

Biodiversity, Population Biology, Insect Biology, Animal Behavior, Intro Seminar, Field Biology Panama (Winter term study abroad). Click the link above to go to the lab website, where you can learn about the kinds of research we do, our study organisms, and recent students in the lab!

I will be taking 1-2 students this Fall (2026). Drop me an email or stop my office if you want to learn more!

I will likely have space for 1-2 students in coming semesters.

Did you know that you have more bacterial cells in you than human cells? In my lab we examine the impact the bacteria in your gut have on human health and behavior. Below are the three current students in my lab and a bit about their projects. I am not accepting students this year- though I am always happy to chat about research!