Andrea Ricco Montana, Research Associate
Hi! I'm Andrea, currently working as a Research Associate and Lab Manager in the Burlacot Lab. In the lab, I study how fluctuating light modifies the transcriptomic landscape of microalgae, contributing to our understanding of photosynthetic regulation under dynamic environmental conditions. I hold an MSci in Molecular and Cellular Biology with Biotechnology. During my degree, I worked on chloroplast synthetic biology at the University of Cambridge, where I engineered microalgal strains to improve plasmid stability and expression. I also completed a Cryo-EM internship at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, focusing on improving computational pipelines for protein structure determination. At the University of Glasgow, I explored bacteriocins as a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides. I'm particularly interested in sustainable applications of biotechnology and enjoy working at the interface of science, innovation, and impact. Outside the lab, I enjoy surfing, dancing and exploring nature.  

Find me on : Linkedin

amontana at carnegiescience dot edu

Dimitri Tolleter, Senior Research Associate
I earned my Ph.D. in France at the University of Angers, where I studied seed mitochondria, before shifting my focus to photosynthesis in Chlamydomonas and other unicellular photosynthetic organisms. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from researchers such as Arthur Grossman, Murray Badger, and Giovanni Finazzi. My research focuses on how photosynthesis adapts to light and temperature stress, with expertise in chlorophyll fluorescence at the cellular level and stable isotope analysis of oxygen and carbon. In Adrien Burlacot’s team, I lead work using Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) to investigate how photosynthetic processes respond to environmental change.

Outside the lab, I enjoy biking, hiking, and discovering new places through photography.

Find me on: ResearchGate, ORCID, LinkedIn, Scholar

dtolleter at carnegiescience dot edu

Evan Saldivar, PhD Student
I received my bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 2019. I became interested in plant metabolism through an internship in the Schmelz lab at UCSD, studying specialized metabolism in maize. I joined Stanford’s biology department as a graduate student in 2020 to pursue my doctoral thesis in the Rhee Lab. My research in the Rhee Lab is focused on the interaction between central carbon metabolism and vigor in higher plants grown under limiting nutrient concentrations, using Arabidopsis as a model system. As a parallel line of inquiry in the Burlacot Lab, I am studying the relationship between central carbon metabolism and fitness in cyanobacteria grown under environments known to modulate photosynthetic efficiency, to better understand the complex interaction between environment and metabolism within cyanobacterial communities. 

Find me on : Google Scholar, ORCID, Linkedin, Twitter

esaldivar at carnegiescience dot edu

Imane Mokhtatif, Master's student
I am a Master’s student in Engineering at École polytechnique in Paris, France, specializing in applied mathematics with a focus on data science. At the Burlacot Lab, I’m investigating how Chlamydomonas adapts to fluctuating light conditions through high-throughput phenotypic data analysis.

My previous research experiences include data-driven optimization and machine learning projects across diverse sectors, including energy, supply chain management, and neuroscience. I am passionate about interdisciplinary research and leveraging mathematical tools to better understand and model complex biological and physical systems. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling, horseback riding, photography, and visual arts. 

Find me on : Linkedin

imokhtatif at carnegiescience dot edu

Leron Perez, PhD student
I received my BSc in Molecular Engineering from the University of Chicago in 2020. I am currently a biophysics PhD in the Cremer Lab where I focus on modeling how protein synthesis limits the rate of acclimation to fluctuations, such as in E. coli's response to oxygen or antibiotic changes. In the Burlacot Lab, I work on quantifying how thousands of Chlamy mutants respond to light fluctuations and developing a big picture understanding of how algae make enough energy to grow. Outside the lab, I love being active in nature and building things. 

Find me on : Google Scholar, Linkedin

lperez at carnegiescience dot edu

Liat Adler, Postdoc
I completed my PhD in the McCormick group at the University of Edinburgh where I discovered the wonders of algal CO2-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs)! My PhD research focused on thylakoid bicarbonate ion channels. I then worked on the formation of the pyrenoid starch sheath in the Mackinder group at the university of York. Now, in the Burlacot lab, I’m excited to be investigating how the CCM energized. I also hope to continue engaging in science outreach projects. Outside the lab I enjoy rock climbing, pole dancing and nature-based art. 

Find me on : Google Scholar, Research gate, ORCID, Linkedin, Twitter

ladler at carnegiescience dot edu

Myria Schroeder, Msc Intern
I am very interested in the effects of the environment on organisms and the strategies organisms have evolved to thrive in changing environments. My research so far has included crabs, plants, zoo- and phytoplankton, and I have enjoyed studying and researching in Germany, Scotland, England, and the U.S. I am thrilled to do my master's research project in the Burlacot lab and to learn more about the fascinating mechanisms by which algae acclimate to different light conditions! I am passionate about science education, human and planetary health challenges, and I love reading, hiking, and cycling.

Find me on: LinkedIn

mschroeder at carnegiescience dot edu

You are looking for a postdoc, you're interested in microalgal photosynthesis ?

Feel free to reach out with an email describing your background, interests and a proposed project
at aburlacot at carnegiescience dot edu

We are always looking for talented people to develop new ideas !