Principal Investigator: Dr. Jessica Sowa

Dr. Sowa is an Associate Professor of Biology at West Chester University and the primary investigator and overall manager for Nematode Hunters. She has been doing research with nematodes for over 10 years. In addition to her teaching and research work, Dr. Sowa enjoys reading, hiking, and attempting to keep various plants alive.

Nematode Hunters Team 2023-2024

Graduate Assistant: Jay Ni

Jai Ni graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a concentration in Microbiology. He was a member of WCU’s Honors College, the Friars’ Society, Incomparable Marching Band, and Honors Student Association.

Research Assistant & Social Media Manager: Iris Kazzi

Iris Kazzi is responsible for running the Nematode Hunters social media accounts, maintaining and updating the NematodeHunters.org website with the latest results, and publishing the quarterly newsletter.

Iris is a Senior at West Chester University majoring in Pharmaceutical Product Development with minors in Business & Technical Writing, Music Production, and Biology. After college she hopes to go into medical school and pursue surgery. Iris is the president of the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Business Club, and a member of TriBeta, and Sigma Tau Delta – the international English honor society at WCU. She enjoys playing guitar, gaming, learning new languages, and discovering new AI tools. 

Fall 2023 Nematode Testing Team: Abby Reese, Solon Aguila, and Carolyn O’Donnell

The Nematode testing team are responsible for indexing nematodes received from participating schools, growing them in the lab, and testing them to see if they carry any new nematode viruses.

Nematode Hunters Alumni

Project Manager: Katherine Przeworski

Katherine developed the Nematode Hunters lesson plans and classroom activities. She will also be overseeing the Nematode Hunters testing team and analyzing survey responses to see how Nematode Hunters can become better.

Katherine graduated with an M.S. in Biology in December 2021. She is going on her  10th year teaching high school biology, so she sought this degree to ensure that her teaching reflects the most current understandings of biological science. She also serves as science fair coordinator for her current school and is passionate about supporting student research at the K-12 level. 

Social Media Manager: Erin Sherman

Erin Sherman is a junior at West Chester University with a major in Marketing. She hopes to pursue Social Media Marketing post graduation. She is a member of Phi Sigma Sigma at WCU and holds the Public Relations position. She enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new places, and decorating her house with funky decor. 

Nematode Testing Team: Sarah Lancaster, India Cannon, and Noni Diarra

Sarah Lancaster graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology. She hopes to go into medical school and pursue Dermatology. Sarah volunteers in the emergency room department at Chester County Hospital and she loves to travel and enjoys spending time outdoors.

India Cannon graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Cellular and Molecular concentration, and a minor in Elementary Education. She hopes to pursue a medical degree and become a Pediatric Geneticist. Her hobbies include reading, hiking, and exploring new cities. Fun fact: India can wiggle her ears!

Noni Diarra graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. She hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Fun Fact: Noni is a technically trained dancer and have been dancing since she was 3 years old.