People

PI

PhD, University of Illinois, Chicago, advisor Wonhwa Cho
First postdoc UTSW, advisor Elliott Ross
Second postdoc Purdue University, advisor Michael Rossmann

Undergraduate student

I am a second year at Indiana University perusing a B.S in Microbiology and Neuroscience on the pre-MD/PhD track. In my free time, I love to volunteer, crochet, and read! I am excited to work in the Tuli lab to learn about virology!

Undergraduate student

Hi! My name is Marissa Hull, and I am a third-year undergraduate student at IU studying biology on the pre-med track. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, I first came to IU to study Flute Performance! In my free time, I enjoy playing flute and piccolo, working as an EMT, reading, crocheting, and spending time with my friends and family. I joined the Tuli lab because I was eager to learn more about biological research methods and viruses, which are awesome!

Microbiology graduate student (PhD)

Hi, I’m Matthew, a microbiology graduate student. I am originally from Maryland and recently graduated from the University of Maryland in 2025 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. During undergrad, I researched the Lassa virus glycoprotein and its entry mechanism. Here, I am looking forward to learning more about viruses and their assembly process. Outside of school and work, I enjoy nature walks, going to concerts, and doing arts and crafts.

Microbiology graduate student (PhD)

Allison Houghton, a Microbiology grad student at IU, joined the Tuli lab in 2021. She graduated in 2020 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Truman State University. She has worked in Immunobiology, Synthetic Biology, and Neuroscience, but finally fell in love with Virology. In the Tuli lab she seeks to understand how alphaviruses antagonize the interferon pathway.

In her spare time, Allison enjoys cooking, cross stitching, reading, tending to her Animal Crossing town, and all things Taylor Swift.

Biochemistry graduate student (PhD)

I am a Biochemistry graduate student from Sri Lanka. I completed a special degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from University of Peradeniya. Thereafter I worked as a research assistant in the same university for a period of three years. Following that I was selected as a graduate student in IU, giving me the opportunity to go higher up in the ladder of biochemistry. Initially I was interested in doing research in cancer field as I have eyewitnessed people suffering from cancers. Later on, my interest shifted to work in Tuli’s lab, and it may have been triggered by the experience in my undergraduate which I studied about the application of virus like particles in drug delivery. Apart from Science and academic work, I like to spend time on travelling, dancing and hanging around with my family.

Microbiology graduate student (PhD)

I’m Ciara Richardson, a biochemistry graduate student at IU. I am originally from Kentucky and graduated in 2022 with a B.S. in biochemistry from Murray State University. During my undergrad I researched in a physical chemistry lab, so I am excited to learn more and start biochemistry research here! In my free time I love to read, sew, cook, and spend time with my family, especially my three rotten nephews.

Undergraduate student

I am a second-year undergraduate student at IU studying microbiology and French on a pre-med track. I love seeing all the ways science can influence our world, and exploring how we can use it to make people’s lives better. Outside of the lab, I like to read, crochet, and spend time with my friends and family. I’m so excited to start research in the Tuli Lab and learn more about viruses!

Biotechnology graduate student (MS)

I’m Zoe Worman, and I am a Biotechnology Master’s student here at IU. I just graduated from IU with a bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2025. During my undergrad, I worked in an ecology lab (which was wonderful) but I am excited to switch gears and research viruses in the Tuli lab! In my free time, I enjoy reading, baking, and listening to music, especially Eurovision entry songs.