CSUSM Becket Laboratory
Meet the Lab
Principal Investigator
Elinne Becket, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Dr. Becket is a bacterial genomicist and expert in next-generation sequencing assay development and applications. Beyond genomics, her passions include student mentoring, dog rescue, and rock climbing.
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Email: ebecket[at]csusm.edu
Twitter: @bielleogy
Graduate Researchers
Kevin García, B.S.
Master's Student, 2021-current
Kevin is a Master’s student and former a McNair scholar at UC Santa Barbara. He is interested in investigating the impacts of anthropogenic pollution in coastal environments, specifically microbial communities, and their interaction with microplastics.
Brad Hunter, B.S.
Master's Student, 2022-current
Brad joined the lab virtually in Spring 2021 and continued research as a CSTEM Summer Scholar. He draws from his varied experiences in programming, fermentation, and electronics to assist lab efforts while establishing his bioinformatics and assay development skills. He plans to pursue a PhD in human microbiomes or related field.
Undergraduate Researchers
Elizabeth Murguia
U-RISE Scholar, 2020-current
Eli is a Bridges to the Future, TRIO McNair, and U-RISE scholar from Palomar College performing research in the lab on the impact of stormwater on coastal microbiomes. A Fall 2021 transfer from Palomar College, she's a powerhouse in the lab and plans to pursue a PhD in a molecular biology-related field.
Jaeden Flury
CSTEM Summer Scholar, 2021-current
Jaeden is a senior undergraduate in the lab, focused on studying how microbiomes are involved in wound healing. Passionate about pediatric work, she is applying to PhD programs that interface microbiology and biomedical research in conditions that affect children.
Evan Werner
NSF-REU Summer Scholar, 2020-current
Evan is an undergraduate at Hendrix College who was selected as the Becket Lab's NSF-REU Summer Scholar before COVID forced cancellation of the program. However, Evan still joined the lab to perform research remotely, and continues to lead several bioinformatic development pipelines, focusing on yeast genomics.
Jared Helms
Bridges to the Future Scholar, 2021-current
Jared is a junior undergraduate who just transferred to UCSD from Palomar College, while performing research in our lab. He pioneered MetaHiC technologies in our lab with one of this lab mates, building major research infrastructure within the lab. He plans to pursue an MD/PhD after his undergraduate studies.
Ali Curiel
Bridges to the Future Scholar, 2022-current
Ali is a Bridges to the Future Scholar at Palomar College performing work in the lab. She focuses on the lab's microplastics project, as well as developing antibiotic resistance gene detection assays. She has a strong passion for ocean conservation efforts, and plans to pursue a career in this area.
Jennifer Sanchez
Undergraduate Researcher, 2022-current
Jenn is a senior undergraduate in the lab as well as current lab manager. In the short time she's been in the lab, she's co-pioneered MetaHiC technologies and set up many systems within the lab, having a major impact on the lab's research infrastructure. Jenn is applying to PhD programs in molecular ecology, specifically anthropogenic impacts on the interactions and evolution of microbial communities.
Camillo Dello Iacono
Undergraduate Researcher, 2022-current
Camillo is a senior undergraduate in the lab, focusing on the lab's microplastics project, as well as developed antibiotic resistance gene detection assays. He plans to pursue an MD after completing his undergraduate studies.
Renaa Ha
Undergraduate Researcher, 2022-current
Renee is a senior undergraduate in the lab, focusing on testing the bioactivity of novel antifungal compounds synthesized from collaborating organometallic research laboratories. After her undergraduate studies, she's planning on pursuing an MD in pediatrics.
Jenna Archambeau
NSF-REU Summer Scholar, 2022 -current
Jenna is a senior undergraduate at American University who completed NSF REU work in the lab in Summer 2022, performing metatranscriptomics assays and analyses on coastal microbiome samples. She has stayed on in the lab virtually since while performing bioinformatic analyses.
Kayla Brostrom
Bridges to the Future Scholar, 2022-current
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Lab Alumni
Ciara Sanders, M.S.
COAST Graduate Research Awardee, 2020-2022
Ciara joined the Becket Lab in 2020 after obtaining her B.S. from CSU San Bernardino. She is the lab's first Master's student focused on studying rates of horizontal gene transfer in response to extreme weather conditions. Her previous research experience is in bacterial genomics while in the lab of Dr. Paul Orwin, one of Dr. Becket's long-time mentors.
Ella Caughran
NSF-REU Summer Scholar, 2022
Ella is a senior undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire who completed NSF REU work in the lab in Summer 2022, performing metatranscriptomics assays and analyses on coastal microbiomes. An ardent lover of phylogenomics and evolutionary biology, she is applying for PhD programs in these areas.
Sarah Eltiste
Undergraduate Researcher, 2021-2022
Sarah is a 4th year Biochemistry undergraduate at CSUSM. Her enthusiasm for investigation and innovation have attributed to her passion for research. She has research experience in Microbiology and Host-Pathogen Interactions. She is interested in pursuing a PhD in a Biomedical related field of research after she graduates in Spring 2022.
Esther Gray
Bridges to the Future Scholar, 2021
Esther is a Bridges to the Future Scholar from MiraCosta College who is eager to learn and help anywhere she can. She plans to transfer to CSUSM in the Fall of 2022 for Biochemistry. She currently works as a lab assistant at an animal gut microbiome company. Outside of the lab she enjoys hiking, drawing, reading and sports.
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Matthew Cope
CSTEM Dean’s Undergraduate Research Awardee, 2019-2021
Matt first joined the Becket lab as a Bridges to the Future Scholar. Now a TRIO McNair scholar, Matt blends his passions for molecular biology, engineering, and horticulture to bring a fantastic transdisciplinary facet to the lab. He will be joining the Lowe-Power Lab at UC Davis in Fall 2021, to pursue research on plant-microbe interactions.
Christian Lopezguerra
TRIO McNair Scholar, 2019-2021
A Fall 2019 transfer to CSUSM, Christian is the best example of someone who always asks "why." A pre-PhD student, he is endlessly curious and is a role model for his younger brothers. He led lab efforts studying coastal metagenomes, and served as a TA for Dr. Becket's microbiology and molecular biology courses. He joined the Raymann Lab at UNC Greensboro in Fall 2021 to study honeybee gut microbiomes.
Ebony Stretch
NIH NIGMS Research Trainee, 2019-2021
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Ebony is a recent graduate who led the lab's bioinformatics efforts in developing user-friendly next-generation sequencing analytical pipelines. She was an NIGMS research trainee in collaboration with the Cyberinfrastructure for Phylogenetic Research. She joined the Sharpton Lab at OSU in Fall 2021 to continue her bioinformatics training in microbiome-related research as a PhD student.
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Mackenzie Pylant
COAST Undergraduate Research Scholar,
2020-2021
Mackenzie joined the lab in early 2020 to pursue genomics research training in her goal to become a teacher, and she focused on tracking sources of microbial contamination in runoff. Mom to an adorable english bulldog named Dozer, her interests outside of lab include hiking, weightlifting, and traveling.
Lakme Caceres
NSF-REU Summer Scholar, 2021
Lakme was a Bridges to the Future Scholar at Palomar College with a background in ecological and genomic research. She joined the lab during the summer of 2021 for the NSF REU program. She transferred to UCSD in Fall 2021 where she will continue to conduct research in cellular and molecular biology. She hopes to pursue an MD to become an anatomic or forensic pathologist. In her free time, Lakme enjoys climbing, weightlifting, and playing soccer.
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Haven Johansen
NSF-REU Summer Scholar, 2021
Haven is a Biology and Reproductive Health major at Western Washington University, studying cilia with the Galati Lab. They joined the lab as a 2021 CSUSM NSF REU scholar and are passionate about justice-oriented research that lends insight into the intersections between environmental and human health, and they plan to become a physician researcher specializing in reproductive health. Outside of their studies, Haven is a musician, a rock climber, a scuba diver, and an aspiring film nerd.
Erin Dominguez
High School Researcher, 2021
Erin is a high school senior at Del Norte High School who volunteered in the Becket lab during the summer of 2021. During her time there, she observed students in the lab, learned microbiology lab techniques and workflows, and helped with experiments and sample collection. When she has free time, Erin enjoys singing, playing piano, hiking, and going to the beach.
Joseph Pello
Undergraduate Researcher, 2020-2021
Joey is a recent CSUSM graduate that began research in the lab in summer of 2020. As a San Diego brewer, he worked on brewers yeast genetics within the lab, and his experience in studying urban runoff's effects on coastal microbiomes in the lab led him to join the Encinas Wastewater Authority after graduation, where he continues to collaborate with our lab.
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Dennis Zanesco
CSTEM Community Engaged Scholar, 2018-2020
Dennis was the first student to join the Becket Lab, and led the cell culturing, sampling, and analytical efforts in the lab. A Robert Noyce Teacher Scholar, COAST Undergraduate Research Scholar, and CSTEM Community Engaged Scholar, he has given two poster and two oral talks on his work. He has since received his teaching credential and is a local science teacher at Mission Middle School.
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Anahita Rahimi
COAST Undergraduate Research Scholar, 2018-2020
One of the first to join the lab, Anahita is a pre-dental student with a passion for studying the interplay of health and microbiomes. Also a COAST Undergraduate Research Scholar, Anahita has given one poster and one oral presentation on her work in coastal microbiome assay development.
Joaquin Alvarez
Bridges to the Future Scholar, 2020-2021
Joaquin is a Bridges to the Future Scholar who transferred to CSUSM Fall 2020. He is pursuing a degree in Molecular Cell Biology with a Microbiology focus, with the goal of teaching at the high school or college level. He has a huge passion for music, participates in DCI, and plays the baritone for the Santa Clara Vanguard.
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Jairo Sanchez
Bridges to the Future Scholar, 2020
Jairo is a Bridges to the Future Scholar who performed research in the lab in 2020 and transferred to UCSB in Fall 2020. A pre-MD with a passion for clinical research, Jairo plans to pursue a career where he can develop medical diagnostics capabilities for underserved communities.
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Leanna Apodaca
NSF-REU Summer Scholar, 2018-2020
Leanna was one of the first students to join the lab and the lab's first NSF REU student alongside Nikki. She was instrumental in developing and executing the lab's "ICECap" assay for the analysis of mobile genetic elements in microbial communities. She has presented a poster and oral talk on her work and is drafting a manuscript for publication.
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Nicole DeNamur
NSF-REU Summer Scholar, 2019
Nikki was the lab's first NSF REU student alongside Leanna. An undergraduate from UC Berkeley, she was key in developing the next-generation sequencing pipelines used in the lab for capturing antibiotic resistance genetic elements. She has presented two posters on her work and is drafting a manuscript for publication.
Shelby McCutcheon
Undergraduate Researcher, 2020
Shelby is a recent biology graduate who spent the summer of 2020 developing next-generation sequencing bioinformatics pipelines within the lab. She is passionate about animals and competes in barrel racing. She plans to go to veterinary school with a focus on equine medicine.
Vanessa Villanueva
Undergraduate Researcher, 2020
Vanessa is a senior undergraduate student that began research in the lab over the fall of 2020. Her focus was on understanding the interplay of coastal microbial communities and climate change.
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Erin O'Brien
CSTEM Summer Scholar, 2018-2020
Erin was one of the first to join the lab and spearheaded the lab's bioinformatics efforts to develop streamlined next-generation sequencing analytical pipelines, leading to her co-authoring a microbial genome announcement with NASA JPL. She has a passion for veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation.
Uriel Rivera
Post-Baccalaureate Researcher, 2018-2019
Uriel was one of the first students to join the lab, and his previous experience in microbiology labs helped the Becket lab get its start. A pre-med whose mission is to help others, Uriel supported every part of the lab's efforts. However, he has questionable taste in pizza toppings.
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Kellen Baker
Undergraduate Researcher, 2019
Kellen joined the lab as part of the microbial sampling, culturing, and analytical efforts. Driven by a desire to have a positive impact on people’s well-being through science and physiology, he is pursuing a career in medical research or emergency healthcare. He has a passion for rock climbing and loves to learn and discuss any subject.