Team
Principal Investigator
Ana Maria Porras, PhD
Assistant Professor
Ph.D. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, UW-Madison
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, UT-Austin
La Profe Ana arrived at UF BME and opened the Porras TMI lab on August, 2021. Using her interdisciplinary background, she leads the team in engineering disease models to explore host-microbe interactions. Dr. Ana is currently interested in the human gut microbiome and tropical infectious diseases. She is also obsessed with all things related to the extracellular matrix. Originally from Colombia, she is passionate about multilingual communication, inclusive science, global health, and community engagement. In her free time, la Profe Ana loves to read, travel, bake, swim, dance, and above all, eat ice cream.
Favorite Disney movie: Encanto (also love Atlantis!)
Graduate students
Karen Mancera Azamar
NSF Graduate Research Fellow
Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering
B.S. in Biological Engineering, University of Georgia
Karen joined the lab in Fall 2021 and is focusing on interactions between the human gut microbiome and the extracellular matrix in inflammatory bowel disease. Karen is a first-generation Latinx student and supports younger students in STEM through mentoring programs. She enjoys collecting indoor plants, cooking, weight training, and crafting.
Favorite Disney movie: Ratatouille
Tia Monjure
Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Biology, Tulane University
Tia joined the lab in Fall 2021 and is modeling the effects of the Leishmania parasite on the liver and spleen. Driven by her passion for social justice, Tia hopes to interact with local and global communities, especially K-12 students. Tia enjoys reading at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, as long as the dragonflies leave her alone.
Favorite Disney movie: Turning Red
Samanvitha Deepthi Sudi
M.S. student in Biomedical Engineering
BE in Biomedical Engineering, Osmania University
Samanvitha arrived in the United States in August 2021 after earning her Bachelor’s degree from Osmania University in India. She joined the lab in November 2021 as a Master’s student. She is working on studying the effects of gut metabolites on cardiovascular health. She is a trained vocalist and enjoys cooking.
Favorite Disney movie: Frozen
Undergraduate students
Alejandro Hernandez
Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida
Alejandro joined the lab in Spring 2021, reviewing gut microbiome literature to analyze global participation in microbiome research. He is studying Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Business Administration and plans to earn a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management at Cornell University after graduation. Alejandro is a fan of traveling, watching films, and trying new cuisines.
Favorite Disney movie: Luca
Tanmayee Kolli
Undergraduate Researcher
Tanmayee joined the lab in the spring of 2021 to work on a large-scale literature review about gut microbiome studies around the world. Now, she is developing protocols to isolate pig heart valve cells more efficiently as part of the UF Undergraduate Research Program. Tanmayee enjoys playing the violin, listening to music, and spending time with her family.
Favorite Disney movie: Brother Bear
Joshua Ruley
Undergraduate Researcher
B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering
Josh joined the lab in Fall 2022. He is studying Biomedical Engineering and plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in a medically related field after graduation. Josh enjoys cooking, running, and taking walks at Depot Park.
Favorite Disney movie: Hercules
Fun Times
