WHO WE ARE

Dr. Nazzy Pakpour

I joined the faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences at CSU East Bay in the Fall of 2015. I have loved insects my whole life and once spent a summer at the Smithsonian Insect Museum doing daily tarantula feedings for the public. I find researching the weird weird world of parasites endlessly fascinating. I am also fully committed to the teaching and mentoring of students, during their time at CSUEB and beyond. I am also a queer Iranian-American mother of two crazy and wonderful kids. My pronouns are she/her.
2015-present Assistant Professor of Biology
California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA
2008-2015 Post-doctoral studies, Lab of Dr. Luckhart
University of California Davis, Davis, CA
2008 Ph.D., Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA  
1999 B.S., Entomology, English minor      
University of California Davis, Davis, CA 

current graduate students

Elle Yuen
project 1: diabetes & malaria

Plants and animals have been a life-long love of mine and I have always been that curious child that asked how or why. Now, I am an aspiring Biology graduate student in the Biotechnology Certificate Program. Through my undergraduate work, I have also discovered an interest in teaching. (B.S., Biology, UC Santa Cruz, 2014). (she/her)

Sheng ly
PROJECT 1: DIABETES & MALARIA

I am currently biology graduate student at CSUEB. I have a passion for science. I enjoy researching, learning, and teaching. When I grow up, I aspire to be a scientist, or a beach bum. I received my B.S. in Molecular and Microbial Biology from CSU Stanislaus in 2016. (she/her)     

cody mcdermott
PROJECT 1: DIABETES & MALARIA

My research area of interest is in the immune response of Type 2 Diabetes mice, and determining its role in increasing transmission of malaria parasites. I also enjoy relaxing with my wife and friends, sleeping, and eating free samples at Costco. ​​(he/him)

Karen parada
​project 1: diabetes & malaria

I have a love for all things gross and gory in science. During my Masters program, I hope to narrow down my interest for a Doctoral program and gain experience in undergraduate teaching. In my free time I enjoy cooking, netflixing, hiking, and grossing people out with microbe fun facts! (she/her)

Jennifer richardson
project: diabetes & malaria

I finished my undergrad at CSUEB focusing on microbiology and cell/molecular biology.  I fell in love with science during my first anatomy lab.  When I am not sciencing, I am hanging out with my pups, camping and fishing. ​(she/her)

Current undergraduate students

Michelle gee

​I am currently pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Microbiology and Biomedical Lab Sciences. After undergrad my plan is to go medical school or dental school. When I’m not studying, I’m usually running on the hills of my hometown.

FORMER GRADUATE STUDENTS

MARIO GUMINA graduated in 2017 with a M.S and is currently attending Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, an Osteopathic Medical school. He expects to receive his D.O. in 2022.