Science is a team effort. The Rijal Lab is a group of curious, dedicated scientists tackling one of the hardest problems in infectious disease.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Ramesh Rijal, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences · Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences · The University of Southern Mississippi
(Since August 2024)
Dr. Rijal’s published work has appeared in PNAS, Journal of Cell Science, mBio, Frontiers in Microbiology, Microbiology Spectrum, and other journals. He is a co-inventor on Methods for Activating Immune Cells to Kill Bacteria, filed as U.S. patent application 19/151,712 and European patent application 24708324.9.
Students and Postdocs
Anushka Tennakoon
PH.D. STUDENT
(Since Fall 2025)
Host mechanisms in intracellular bacterial infection
Simon Kumar Shrestha
PH.D. STUDENT
(Since Fall 2025)
Mycobacterial stress adaptation and antibiotic tolerance
Abdelrahman Ayman Hasan Khader
PH.D. STUDENT
(Since Fall 2026)
Host mechanisms in intracellular bacterial infection
Tohura Easha
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER → M.S. STUDENT
(Since Spring 2026 · M.S. Joining Spring 2027)
INBRE PDG Project — Macrophage-based validation of repurposed anti-tuberculosis drug candidates
Marshall Puckett
UNDERGRADUATE HONORS THESIS Student
(Since Fall 2026)
Diwakar Giri
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
(Since Fall 2025)
Amara Loving
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
(Since Spring 2025)
Parker Yarborough
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
(Since Fall 2025)
PAST MEMBERS
Santell Martin
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
McNair Scholar · University of Southern Mississippi
(Summer 2026)
Ella King
UNDERGRADUATE HONORS THESIS GRADUATE
Biological Sciences · University of Southern Mississippi
(Fall 2024 – Spring 2026)
Jaelyn Davis
UNDERGRADUATE HONORS THESIS GRADUATE
Biological Sciences · University of Southern Mississippi
(Spring 2025 – Spring 2026)
Myah Eaton
HIGH SCHOOL RESEARCH INTERN
University of Southern Mississippi
(Fall 2025 – Spring 2026)
Kendall Ellis
HIGH SCHOOL RESEARCH INTERN
University of Southern Mississippi
(Fall 2025 – Spring 2026)
Garrett Osowski
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Biological Sciences · University of Southern Mississippi
(Fall 2024 – Spring 2025)
Madelyn Moresi
UNDERGRADUATE HONORS THESIS STUDENT
Biological Sciences · University of Southern Mississippi
(Fall 2024 – Fall 2025)
