Our Team

Michael Dzakovich, PhD

Research Plant Physiologist - USDA-ARS
Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nutrition - Baylor College of Medicine
Hobbies: Cooking and baking, darts, building/fixing things, and Andalusian folk music
Hot take: The ending of “The Sopranos” was perfect
Contact: michael “dot’ dzakovich ‘at” usda “dot‘ gov

Alex Hernandez

Laboratory technician/Board game wiz/Anime expert
Hobbies: Playing video games, swimming, and reading
Hot take: Sweet potato fries are much better than regular fries
Franz O'Hanna

Laboratory technician/Carotenoid connoisseur/Plant powered
Hobbies: Reading books about or by scientists, Pokémon, Lego, and No Man’s Sky
Hot take: Lavender is a great ice cream flavor
Suraj Chandramouli

Undergraduate researcher/3D printing/Football expert
Hobbies: Cycling, reading, watching sports, and playing board games
Hot take: Fried spring rolls and ranch is an elite combination
Haaniya Mehrani

Undergraduate researcher/Food scientist to-be/Future GBBO champion
Hobbies: Baking gourmet desserts and hyper-realistic cakes, crocheting all sorts of things, and hanging out with her cat
Hot take: Harry Potter is overrated
Ethan Shaw

Undergraduate engineer/Graphic design guru/3D printing
Hobbies: Writing, Coding, DIY Projects
Hot take: Pineapple on pizza is only controversial because it’s good
Rachel Dang

Undergraduate researcher
Hobbies: Painting, watching telenovelas, learning languages, singing
Hot take: Cold fish tastes good if they are marinated well
Sirocco (Coco) Dzakovich

Laboratory Meownager/Integrated Pest Management
You??

We're not currently hiring, but occasionally have available positions for individuals looking for research experience