Nielsen Laboratory

Richard grew up as a military kid all across the US before moving to the blue ridge mountains in pursuit of his BSc in Cell and Molecular Biology at Appalachian State University. Captivated by molecular biology, he completed a MSc at ASU using genetics and protein biochemistry to characterize a signal transduction pathway that controls biofilm formation in Vibrio cholerae. He then moved to Virginia Tech for a PhD where he characterized several proteins required for function of a molecular marvel, the bacterial flagellar motor. After a brief stint at a startup company in Austin, TX, Richard was glad to return to the mountains and Virginia Tech where he now manages the Nielsen lab. When not fulfilling regulatory requirements and keeping the lab running smoothly, Richard performs genetics in Cryptococcus and works to understand the fascinating cell biology of this critical human pathogen. Outside of the lab, Richard also manages a small family, and enjoys cooking, hiking, all manner of physical activity, and reading good books.

Rachel grew up in Western New York, receiving her BS in Biochemistry from SUNY Buffalo in 2017. During her final year of undergrad, she began her research journey as a member of Ira Blader's lab learning about intracellular pathogen adaptations. After a year as a lab tech in Rochester, Rachel began her PhD journey through the Dartmouth College MCB program. She joined the lab of Dr. Jamie Moseley, studying and publishing work on fission yeast cell cycle control through spatial regulation of the Wee1 kinase. This love of cell cycle and cell size variation led Rachel to her current fascination with Cryptococcus and its titan cell biology and how cell size heterogeneity impacts disease progression. Outside of lab she enjoys the outdoors with her husband and toddler, or the indoors with her cats and fiber crafts.

Bruno completed his undergraduate degree in Brazil at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo in Science and Technology. He began doing research as an undergraduate student, characterizing the structure and biochemistry of alkaline phosphatase from Thermus thermophilus. He stayed to complete his doctoral studies in Biotechnology from the Institute of Science and Technology at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo. His research focused on fungal immunology, proteomics and transcriptomics of granulomatous lesions in paracoccidiodomycosis, and extracellular vesicles produced by these fungi. After earning his PhD, he moved to Virginia Tech as a postdoctoral associate, studying Cryptococcus neoformans hypervirulence and latency of clinical isolates.  

Outside of the lab, Bruno spends his time playing soccer and video games. 

Kim studies how titan cell–derived diversity during infection influences fungal population adaptation. She joined the lab in 2024 through the ID IGEP program. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kim earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of New Mexico. She began her research career in a hantavirus laboratory, where she developed a strong foundation in infectious disease research. Outside of the lab, Kim enjoys hiking, crocheting, and spending time with her two cats and dog.

Priscilla joined the lab in 2024 as a PhD student. She studies how Cryptococcus neoformans evades antifungal treatment. Her work combines image analysis, microbiology, and clinical data to understand cryptococcal infection treatment failure.

Priscilla grew up in Uganda and spent time working with clinical trial teams at Makerere University's Infectious Diseases Institute, where she saw firsthand how devastating cryptococcal meningitis is in HIV-infected patients. That experience is what drives her; she wants the science she does to eventually reach the communities where it matters most.

Outside of research, Priscilla is happiest when she’s somewhere new. Traveling and immersing herself in different cultures, foods, and ways of life is something she genuinely loves. It's how she recharges, stays curious, and keeps perspective on the bigger world her work fits into.

Analis grew up in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. She moved to Blacksburg in 2020 for college and got her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Sociology from Virginia Tech. She started doing research in Dr. Biswarup Mukhopadhyay’s lab in the Department of Biochemistry when she was an undergraduate student, establishing genetic tools for methanogen research. After graduating from Virginia Tech, she worked as a laboratory technician in Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s lab for a year before joining Dr. Kirsten Nielsen, transitioning from anaerobic archaea research to fungal immunology. In her current position, she studies the innate immune responses to clinical isolates. She has recently been accepted into the ID IGEP program for the Fall of 2026, where she hopes to continue researching host-pathogen interactions. 

In her free time, Analis enjoys reading, cooking, attending Zumba classes, and hosting trivia night at J.H. Bards!

Andy joined the Nielsen Lab in the summer of 2025 as a part-time Undergraduate Researcher. After she graduated in May 2026 with a B.S. in Biology, she continued to work for the lab as a full-time Lab Technician. She plans to pursue a career in medicine with the goal of becoming a Family Physician. While she was an undergraduate student, Andy was actively involved in the First Year Leadership Experience (FLEX) program, Student Alumni Associates (SAA), the YMCA English Literacy Group, and various intramural sports teams. In her free time, you will find her baking, reading, working out, and especially staying active outdoors. She is always eager to learn and try new things and is excited to continue growing and contributing through her work in the Nielsen Lab. 

Crypto Pal was born on 9/6/25 at a Virginia Tech football tailgate and has been a proud member of the lab ever since. He is interested and involved in all cryptococcal research. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with lab members to conferences (most recently Asilomar) and giving hugs to scientists who need it.