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!)

Google Scholar | Contact

Lab managers

  • Krishna Rajesh headshot

    Krishna Rajesh

    Lab Manager & Research Assistant
    M.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida
    M.Sc. in Biotechnology and Management, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
    B.S. in Biotechnology, Amrita University, Kerala, India

    Krishna joined the TMI Lab in December 2025 after completing her master’s degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida, where she also earned a minor in Food Science and Human Nutrition. Her previous research in microbial fermentation products and intestinal health sparked her passion for the microbiome field. She is excited to continue exploring microbiome science and gut health at TMI. Krishna also holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biotechnology. Outside of her academic and research pursuits, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, and attending concerts.

    Favorite Disney movie: Tangled, Frozen

    Contact | LinkedIn

Graduate students

  • Karen Mancera Azamar headshot

    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

    Contact| X | LinkedIn

  • Samanvitha Deepthi Sudi headshot

    Samanvitha Deepthi Sudi

    Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering
    B.E. 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

    Contact | X | LinkedIn

  • Zahra Mohammadalizadeh headshot

    Zahra Mohammadalizadeh

    Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering

    Zahra joined TMI Lab in January 2023 and is investigating the complex interplay between the gut microbiome and intestinal fibrosis in Crohn’s disease. With a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and a foundational degree in Microbiology, she brings a unique perspective to her research. Beyond the lab, Zahra enjoys outdoor adventures and exploring new destinations, as well as playing Setar (an Iranian musical instrument).

    Favorite Disney movie: Soul

    Contact | LinkedIn

  • Daniel A. Basto Moreno headshot

    Daniel A. Basto Moreno

    Ph.D. student
    B.Sc. in Bioengineering, University of Antioquia

    Daniel earned his B.Sc. in Bioengineering from the University of Antioquia in Colombia and joined the lab in Fall 2025. He is passionate about biomaterials and tissue engineering. Outside the lab, Daniel enjoys playing soccer, especially supporting his favorite team, Santa Fe, as well as spending time outdoors and exploring new places.

    Favorite Disney movie: Mulan

    Contact | LinkedIn

  • Nikhila Reddy Bommu headshot

    Nikhila Reddy Bommu

    M.S. student in Biomedical Engineering
    B.S. in Biotechnology, GITAM School of Engineering

    Nikhila joined the lab in October 2025. She is a Biomedical Engineering major. Her research focuses on the effects of gut-metabolites on aortic valve diseases. Apart from the research she also enjoys cooking, drawing, reading sci-fi and binge watching.

    Favorite Disney movie: Tangled

    Contact | LinkedIn

Undergraduate students

  • Isabela Yamhure Baena headshot

    Isabela Yamhure Baena

    Undergraduate Researcher

    Isabela joined the Lab in Spring 2024. She is an undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Student. She is a Venezuelan student passionate about engineering and research. At the moment she is working with two projects at the lab. A social media analysis of the information provided by the government of Colombia during COVID-19. Simultaneously also exploring the growth and degradation of Bacteroides and how the environmental factors affect their development. Isabela is planning on continuing her studies and obtaining a Ph.D after gaining professional experience. Outside of school she enjoys traveling, going out to eat and cooking.

    Favorite Disney movie: The Parent Trap

    Contact | LinkedIn

  • Esmeralda Fernandez-Alvarez headshot

    Esmeralda Fernandez-Alvarez

    Undergraduate Researcher
    B.S. student in Psychology

    Esmeralda joined the lab in Fall 2024. As a Cuban-American student born to immigrant parents, Esmeralda entered the lab with an interest to find a community within STEM, and further develop her Spanish-speaking skills. As throughout her academic career, Esmeralda has found herself to be an advocate for DEI. An area in which she hopes to develop further for her potential career endeavors, as well as be the catalyst to provide these values. Currently, Esmeralda is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Florida, and intends to pursue a Masters Degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Additionally, when navigating beyond academics, she enjoys dancing Salsa and Bachata (particularly, Casino Salsa), trying new foods, and hiking!

    Favorite Disney movie: A Goofy Movie

    Contact | LinkedIn

  • Morgenne Almonte headshot

    Morgenne Almonte

    Undergraduate Researcher
    B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering
    A.A. Lake Sumter State College

    Morgenne Almonte is a biomedical engineering student at the University of Florida and the Outreach Coordinator in Dr. Porras’s lab, where she leads bilingual public health initiatives serving Latino communities. Her work blends community engagement with research on health equity, aiming to expand access to culturally responsive care. Fluent in English and Spanish, she plans to pursue medicine and advocate for underrepresented patients.

    Favorite Disney movie: Encanto

    Contact | LinkedIn

  • Bryanna Downing headshot

    Bryanna Downing

    Undergradate Researcher
    B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering

    Bryanna joined the lab in Fall 2025. She is an undergraduate studying Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Pathogenesis and Bioinformatics. Her interests include personalized medicine and the application of genetic analysis in patient treatment. Outside of the lab, she enjoys singing, which she is classically trained in.

    Favorite Disney movie: Tangled

    Contact | LinkedIn

  • Ava Gueck headshot

    Ava Gueck

    Undergraduate Researcher
    B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering

    Ava joined the lab in Fall 2024. She is a fourth-year biomedical engineering major and pre-law student. Ava has a passion for service and is currently the Executive Director of the non-profit organization Project Makeover. She is from St. Louis, Missouri, and enjoys sports, dogs, and nature.

    Favorite Disney movie: Monsters, Inc.

    Contact | LinkedIn

Alumni

  • Madhushree Sultane headshot

    Madhushree Sultane

    M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida

    B.Tech in Bionegeneering (Major: Biomedical Engineering), MIT ADT University, India

    LinkedIn

  • Katherine Bauer Estrada headshot

    Katherine Bauer Estrada

    Ph.D. student in Biosciences
    Visiting student from Universidad de la Sabana, Colombia

    Current role: Postdoctoral Research, APC Microbiome Ireland

    LinkedIn

  • Mithra Varun Bodanapati headshot

    Mithra Varun Bodanapati

    M.S. student in Biomedical Engineering
    M.S. in Computer and Information Science Engineering
    B.E. Computer Science Engineering, R V College of Engineering

    Current role: Software Engineer, Scholarship Auditions

    LinkedIn

  • Sai Drishya Suresh headshot

    Sai Drishya Suresh

    M.S. student in Biomedical Engineering

    Current role: Scientist, Pace Analytical Services

    LinkedIn

  • Alejandro Hernandez headshot

    Alejandro Hernandez

    B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 2024

    Current role: Project Manager, Epic

    LinkedIn

  • Tanmayee Kolli headshot

    Tanmayee Kolli

    B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 2024

    Current role: Data Science Intern, Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics

    LinkedIn

  • Joshua Ruley headshot

    Joshua Ruley

    B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering

    Current role: NSF GRFP Fellow and Ph.D. student, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

    LinkedIn

  • Marcos Javith headshot

    Marcos Javith

    B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering

    LinkedIn

  • Jennifer Gongora Caruncho headshot

    Jennifer Gongora Caruncho

    B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering

    Current role: Project Manager, GRiP (Generational Relief in Prosthetics)

    LinkedIn

  • Carlos Samuel Olmedo Iniguez headshot

    Carlos Samuel Olmedo Iniguez

    B.S. student in Chemical Engineering

    LinkedIn

  • Valentina Muriel Ruiz headshot

    Valentina Muriel Ruiz

    B.S. student in Biomedical Engineering

    Current role: Associate Clinical Specialist, Medtronic

    LinkedIn

Fun Times

3 women posing behind big white letters that spell "BMES"
A group of nine people standing together outside on a bright sunny day smiling.
Group of eight people sitting around a table with decorated mugs.
The Porras Lab wearing Halloween costumes.
Group of five women, one seated in a white dress decorated with colorful flowers, and four standing behind her, smiling in a brightly-lit indoor space with large windows and trees outside.
A group of 12 people gathered around a decorated Christmas tree in a living room during a holiday celebration.
A group of eight people standing arm in arm outdoors in a park on a sunny day with green trees and hanging moss in the background.
Carving pumpkins at a table outdoors decorated for Halloween.
Group of seven people wearing face masks, standing behind a table with decorated gingerbread houses and broken gingerbread cookies, during a holiday activity.
A group of seven women and one man posing inside a pink-walled cafe with plants and neon sign that says 'The place where the magic happens'.
Six people enjoying an outdoor gathering with gifts, standing and sitting on a red bench, with trees and sunlight in the background.
Three women wearing masks in a room with Profe Ana taking a selfie of everyone.
Five people wearing masks in a laboratory standing in front of lab benches and cabinets.
Four women standing together at a conference smiling with exhibition posters and a modern building in the background.
Group of ten people standing together outdoors on a sunny day in front of a shopping plaza.
Four people at a conference standing behind large white letters spelling BME at an event.
A classroom or conference room filled with students and a presenter at the front. A large screen displays images of art supplies including paint pots, a brush, a cup, a scoop, and a ball. People are standing, talking, and taking notes near tables.