Dr. Fiester joined the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University in 2024. In addition to his Research Professorship at Furman University, he maintains Clinical Associate Professorships at Florida State University College of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program at Lee Health, Florida State University College of Medicine Internal Medicine Residency Program at Lee Health, School of Health Science Research at Clemson University and Department of Pathology at Prisma Health while also serving and as a Research Investigator for the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center Dorn Research Institute. He has previously held positions as an Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina, a visiting faculty member at Miami University and the BSL-3 Facility Coordinator at Kent State University.  Dr. Fiester's research interests primarily focus on the elucidation of virulence mechanisms in ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species) pathogens and the development of novel therapeutics to treat them as well as other clinically relevant projects often in collaboration with the aforementioned institutions. 

Eduarda Kffuri Gonçalves is a master’s student in biology at Florida Gulf Coast University, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in biology in Spring 2024. She is currently conducting research with Dr. Fiester where her work primarily focuses upon the elucidation of virulence mechanisms in and novel treatment options for A. baumannii. Her academic interests focus on microbiology, host-pathogen interactions, and biomedical innovation. As an undergraduate, Eduarda worked as a medical assistant in a pain management clinic, where she developed hands-on experience in clinical procedures and patient interaction. She also shadowed a pediatric general surgeon, gaining meaningful insight into the healthcare field and surgical practice. Eduarda is passionate about making an impact through science and education. After completing her master’s degree, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. or a university teaching role to contribute to scientific advancement and help cultivate the next generation of biologists.

Meg Gunderman is pursuing a Master of Science in Biology at Florida Gulf Coast University, where she graduated in 2026 with a B.S. in Biology. She currently works with Dr. Fiester conducting research focused on the virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii. Meg’s professional interests include clinical medicine and the application of evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes. Her healthcare experience spans different specialties and patient populations, including pediatrics, cardiology, orthopedics, and an international medical brigade in Honduras. She currently works as a Medical Assistant in orthopedic surgery, where she continues to gain hands-on clinical experience. Following her master’s degree, she plans to attend medical school and complete a residency in orthopedic surgery.

Luis A. Ramos graduated in 2025 with a major in biology and a concentration in pre-professional biology. Since the summer of 2024, he has been working with Dr. Fiester on the production of several academic papers in addition to laboratory research. Outside of academics, Luis serves as a medical scribe across four emergency departments within the Lee Health system, where he gains firsthand exposure to acute patient care and clinical decision-making. Committed to lifelong learning and the well-being of his community, Luis is passionate about advancing scientific understanding of disease prevention and management. Luis intends to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree, with plans to complete a residency in Internal Medicine and sequentially specialize in Cardiology. 

Matthew Camina graduated in 2025 with a B.S. in Biology and a concentration in Pre-Professional Biology. He previously worked as a medical assistant at an Electron Beam Therapy Oncology clinic, where he developed valuable patient care skills and helped improve treatment using handheld ultrasound devices. He is currently finishing his EMT certification and pursuing a position as an ER technician. During Summer 2025, he began research in Dr. Daniel Paull’s lab, developing novel resveratrol analogs to test their efficacy in lowering cell viability in various ER+ and triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. He has also worked with Dr. Lyndsey Rhodes to culture a wide variety of breast cancer cell lines and test compounds synthesized in Dr. Daniel Paull’s lab. In Spring 2026, he joined the Fiester laboratory to help culture human alveolar cell lines and test novel antibiotics against Acinetobacter baumannii. Matthew intends to attend medical school and aspires to become an ER physician.

James Noyes is a 2025 nursing graduate and post-baccalaureate student in pre-professional biology at Florida Gulf Coast University. Since January 2025, he has worked with Dr. Fiester on clinical research related to infectious disease diagnosis. He currently works as an emergency department registered nurse, caring for acutely ill patients, and has gained broad clinical exposure through rotations across surgical, neurological, orthopedic, and intensive care settings. James is interested in infectious disease diagnosis and clinical decision-making in emergency care settings. He plans to attend medical school and hopes to pursue a career that integrates patient care, research, and education.

Peter Brancato graduated in 2020 from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Linguistics with a Japanese emphasis. He is currently working as a medical assistant in a dermatology practice while completing prerequisite coursework for medical school, with the goal of pursuing a career in dermatology. Within the Fiester Laboratory, Peter is a member of the clinical case report team, which focuses on translating foundational laboratory findings into clinically meaningful insights. His work centers on literature synthesis, clinical reasoning, and manuscript development, with an emphasis on identifying emerging patterns in antimicrobial resistance and articulating the clinical relevance of individual patient cases within broader systemic trends. Peter’s professional interests lie in patient centered care and the intersection of clinical research and real world impact. He is particularly motivated by work that helps patients feel comfortable and confident in their own skin and hopes to integrate clinical practice with research throughout his future medical career.

Emily Chiarella was awarded a B.S. in Biology with a preprofessional concentration and a minor in Chemistry from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2026. During her four years, she played Division I Softball for FGCU and worked as a Teaching Assistant for various chemistry courses. She is currently volunteering at a Veterans Affairs Hospital within the Prosthetics Unit and in Gynecological Oncology at Baptist Health in Miami. Emily assists with clinical case reporting and clinical research in our laboratory. Emily plans to attend medical school in the Fall of 2028, hoping to specialize in infectious disease at an academic hospital. She plans to work as both a physician and a professor in her field. 

Benjamin Sotelo Lozada is a junior majoring in chemistry who transferred to the Fiester laboratory from Dr. Alejandro Bugarin's laboratory, during Dr. Bugarin's sabbatical in the 2026-2027 academic year.  Benjamin is currently synthesizing novel antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action to be screened for effectiveness against Acinetobacter baumannii.  His current work has included the discovery of new chemical reactions catalyzed by light and characterization of natural products. He has gained critical organic chemistry experience that he plans to leverage to pursue a career in pharmaceutical R&D for the development of new treatments against life threatening diseases. 

Dylan F. Luu is a senior majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-professional biology. He joined the Fiester Laboratory in the spring 2026 semester and will be graduating in Fall 2026. Dylan plans to work on a cell culture project testing novel antibiotics to determine their effectiveness in treating bacterial infection. He is highly interested in both medical and wildlife biology research and plans on pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. program in the future. Dylan is interested in medical research that develops novel treatments for diseases that affect both humans and animals. He is interested in ultimately pursuing a professorship and becoming an educator. Dylan is a senator in FGCU's student government, assists other professors with their research projects, and works as a teaching assistant.

Sarah Friedman is a senior majoring in Biology at Florida Gulf Coast University and will be graduating in Fall 2026. She joined the Fiester Laboratory as an undergraduate researcher and currently works on a cell culture project using A549 lung epithelial cells and Acinetobacter baumannii to investigate bacterial infection and evaluate potential antimicrobial compounds. Sarah is interested in biomedical research, particularly the connection between microbiology, cell biology, and clinical care. In addition to her work in the Fiester Laboratory, she has research experience studying resveratrol analogues and their effects on triple-negative breast cancer cells. Outside of research, Sarah serves as Vice President of FGCU’s Cancer Awareness Club, is a mentor with Early College Programs, and is involved with Global Medical Brigades. After graduation, Sarah plans to pursue a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and hopes to continue incorporating research into her education and future career as a dentist.

Nori is a senior at FGCU and also a member of FGCU's Swimming and Diving Team. She is originally from Hungary and is living in the US for 4 years now. Her major is Biology with a concentration is Microbiology and after graduation she is planning to pursue a master's degree in Biotechnology in Hungary. Her research focuses on mutagenesis of potential virulence factors in Baumannii, and the construction of one potential virulence gene. 

Leah Forudi is an undergraduate student majoring in Biology at Florida Gulf Coast University. Her research interests are centered on dentistry and the application of biomedical research to oral health and disease. She is currently gaining research experience in the lab while developing skills that will support her future academic and clinical goals. Outside of research, Leah serves as President of the Pre-Dental Society, Vice President of Global Medical Brigades, and a mentor in the FGCU Honors College, while remaining actively involved in service and leadership on campus. She intends to pursue a career in dentistry, with the goal of using her scientific background and clinical training to improve patient care.

Oliver Long is a senior student double majoring in Biotechnology and Mathematics with a minor in Bioengineering. He currently works with mutagenesis of A. baumannii in the Fiester lab. Oliver works as a Resident Assistant in FGCU's freshmen housing, a Senator in Student Government, and conducts research on image analysis in the Department of Mathematics. Oliver intends to attend a MD/PhD dual degree program to specialize in genetics and genomics and pursue a career in medical research.

Alexis Tzilinis is a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at Florida Gulf Coast University. She joined Dr. Fiester’s laboratory to work on a cell culture project testing antibiotics to determine their effectiveness in treating bacterial infections. Alexis is especially interested in biomedical research because she wants to gain more hands-on experience and expand her knowledge of research related to human health. She is an Early Acceptance Program student with LECOM School of Dental Medicine and plans to pursue a career in dentistry following graduation. At FGCU, Alexis serves as an Instructional Assistant for General Chemistry II and Vice President of the Pre-Health Pathways Society. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, playing tennis, and learning to play the violin.

Colin Hilton is a senior biology major who will graduate in Spring 2027 and began working in Dr. Fiester's research lab in Fall 2026. Colin currently is working as an emergency department medical scribe under Scribe America in conjunction with Lee Health, where he gains medical experience and professional healthcare exposure. With a desire to understand medicine and a passion for the ecological aspect of biology, Colin plans to work towards a Doctor of Medicine degree and a PhD in biology.

Amanda Negrin is a junior Biology major with a minor in Chemistry at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is a member of the Honors College and serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the FGCU Pre-Dental Society. In the Fiester Lab, Amanda assists with research activities and lab coordination, including organizing protocols, resources, schedules, and laboratory information to support current and future researchers. Her interests include microbiology, oral health, and the connection between scientific research and clinical care. Outside of the lab, Amanda shadows dental professionals and volunteers as a dental assistant, gaining hands-on experience in general dentistry and oral surgery. She is also involved in community health and oral health education initiatives. Amanda plans to attend dental school and pursue a career in dentistry.

Lily E. Jensen is a biology major with a concentration in microbiology. In her free time Lily enjoys figure skating. While at FGCU, Lily has worked at two different pharmaceutical/medical device companies. She has gained experience working in different ISO level cleanrooms/labs as well as operating different medical devices per FDA regulations. Following graduation from FGCU, Lily hopes to attend law school.

Megan C. Murray is a senior graduating this spring. She is currently majoring in biology with a microbiology concentration. Megan started working with Dr. Fiester in Spring 2025 and will be pursing a senior research project in Fall 2025. Megan plans to pursue a graduate degree following her spring graduation to engage in long term research and eventually a professorship. Megan is interested in researching disease-causing bacteria to better understand a medicinal defense against them.

Allison J. Seibert is a senior biology major at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is thrilled to be contributing to Dr. Fiester’s research lab and gaining valuable experience in the field. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a master's program in physician assistant studies. Currently, she works as a medical assistant, further strengthening her clinical background. 

Lyla M. Ribeiro is an undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University. She has clinical experience in dermatology and is broadly interested in biomedical research, particularly the development of innovative approaches to combat human disease. In addition to her research pursuits, Lyla serves as President of the Pre-Medical Club, Vice President of TriBeta (Biological Honors Society), and a mentor in the Early College Program. She intends to pursue a career in medicine, with the goal of integrating research and clinical practice to advance healthcare.

Samuel L. McDuffie is a senior majoring in Biological Science with a pre-professional concentration at Florida Gulf Coast University. Samuel has a diverse range of clinical exposure through shadowing in general and vascular surgery, pediatrics, and emergency medicine. Beyond academics, he serves as Vice President of the Pre-Medical Club and Treasurer of the FGCU Red Cross Club, where he helps promote service and leadership on campus. Following graduation, Samuel intends to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician.