Amiteash
Paul
Undergraduate Researcher
Biology Program, NYU Abu Dhabi
Email: amiteash.paul[at]nyu.edu
B.S. Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi (expected 2024)
Amiteash is a student of Biology at NYU Abu Dhabi, with an intended minor in Disability Studies. He developed an interest in biology at a very early age, after he was gifted a human body encyclopedia by a friend. In the future, he wishes to pursue a career in research combining microbiology, immunology, and human health, most probably on antimicrobial resistance. He is also passionate about topics related to sustainability and climate change, as well as disability justice and accommodations for people with disabilities. At the Marine Microbiomics Lab, he is assisting with metagenomic analyses on the microbiomes of Arabian Gulf corals affected by white-band disease to help identify which microbial interactions protect corals and which cause disease. In his free time, he enjoys reading and listening to instrumental soundtracks.
Isha
Gandham
Undergraduate Researcher
Biology Program, NYU Abu Dhabi
Email: ig2172[at]nyu.edu
B.S. Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi (expected 2024)
Isha plans to major in Biology with a minor in Film and New Media. She has always been fascinated by wildlife and the world around her, perhaps due to her travels across India’s various landscapes from a young age. Interested in fields of ecology and climate change, she wants to pursue a career in marine biology. She is also interested in environmental policy, journalism and documentary filmmaking that will add to her skills as a researcher. She joined the Marine Microbiomics Lab to start off her career in research where she assists on projects related to the harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. Besides her passion for research, she loves to explore new places and food while trying her best to learn the guitar.
Amira Mustafina
Undergraduate Researcher
Biology Program, NYU Abu Dhabi
Email: am12198[at]nyu.edu
B.S. Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi (expected 2026)
Amira is a student at NYU Abu Dhabi majoring in Biology and minoring in Music. Born and raised in a small town in Kazakhstan surrounded by forests and lakes, she was always around nature. As her family took her on weekly trips to nature parks, she got increasingly excited about the intricacies of living organisms. Throughout her high school career, she assisted in multiple research projects on pharmacology and botany, which made her fall in love with science. In the future, Amira wants to pursue a career in research in the fields of marine biology and cancer biology. In the Marine Microbiomics lab, she works on algal microbiomes at the single phycosphere level. Amira is looking forward to exploring all the wonders the world has to offer. Besides her passion for science, she loves traveling, singing, and playing musical instruments.
Caterina Gandolfi
Undergraduate Researcher
Biology Department, NYU
Email: cg138[at]nyu.edu
B.A. Biology, New York University (expected 2025)
B.A. Environmental Studies, New York University (expected 2025)
Caterina is a student at NYU pursuing a double major in Biology and Environmental Studies. Her upbringing in Italy and the UAE exposed her to diverse habitats, nurturing her appreciation for nature in all its forms, from Mediterranean landscapes to warm deserts. She wishes to pursue a research career in ecology, tackling environmental challenges and helping preserve wildlife. She also strives to integrate the effective communication of scientific findings to engage diverse communities in the pursuit of a sustainable future. She has begun her research journey at the Marine Microbiomics Lab by assisting in the study of the interaction between bacteria and algae, specifically the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis that is commonly associated with algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. Alongside her academic pursuits, Caterina enjoys kickboxing and loves to hike in nature.
Yatong Wang
Undergraduate Researcher
Biology Program & Computer Science Program, NYU Abu Dhabi
Email: yw7250[at]nyu.edu
B.S. Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi (expected 2027)
Yatong is a student at NYU Abu Dhabi, planning to major in biology and minor in computer science. From an early age, her love for marine life was kindled through diving, which exposed her to the complexity and diversity of marine creatures. The diving experience also revealed the vulnerability of marine ecosystems to her and ignited her profound interest in the preservation of them. She hopes to explore the interdisciplinary connection between biology and computer science. Proficient in computational tools and data analysis skills, she wants to contribute to the field of marine biology. In the Marine Microbiomics Lab, she assisted in the study of harmful algal blooms caused by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis in the Gulf of Mexico. Beyond her academic pursuits, Yatong’s curiosity extends to photography and literature, offering her a well-rounded perspective on the world.