Dr. Horvath obtained his B.Sc. from Brown University. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago earning his Ph.D. in 1994. Martin loves research and is passionate about undergraduate research and education, especially how to teach critical thinking & communication in science. In the fall, Martin teaches Biol 3525/Chem 3525: Molecular Biology of DNA Lab. Every spring, he co-instructs Biol 3510/Chem 3510: Biological Chemistry I. Outside of the lab or the classroom, he enjoys spending time with family, trail running, reading and learning new things! Currently, Martin is invested in learning all things astrobiology! Fun fact: Martin abandoned two of his children above the arctic circle and uses this story as a metaphor for mentoring and teaching.

Lauren is an undergraduate student at the University of Utah pursuing a bachelors degree in Biology with an emphasis in anatomy and physiology and a minor in Chemistry, expected to graduate in Spring 2026. She is working to pursue a career in medicine as an MD. Lauren joined the Horvath lab in November 2023 researching the targeting mechanisms of tailocins, a bactericidal protein complex produced by a wide variety of bacteria and used against phylogenetically closely related strains. Outside of lab, she enjoys her work with neonates in the Newborn ICU, wake-surfing, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Alexa is an undergraduate honors student at the University of Utah pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biology with an emphasis in anatomy and physiology, alongside minors in Chemistry and an Honors Integrated Minor in Health; expected to graduate in Spring 2026. She is planning on attending medical school after graduating to pursue a career as a surgeon. Alexa joined the Horvath Lab in August 2024 and is working on the Talocin Project to research how talocins find and target specific bacterial pathogens. Outside of her research, Alexa is an active volunteer at different healthcare facilities in Salt Lake City. She also enjoys playing on the University Club Soccer Team, snowboarding, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Alex earned his bachelor's degree in Biology with a Biochemistry emphasis and a Chemistry minor from the University of Utah. He joined the Horvath Lab in December 2022 and is currently pursuing a Professional Master’s of Science and Technology with a specialization in Biotechnology. Alex aspires to attend medical school and train as an MD/PhD. His research focuses on the function of carotenoids and their incorporation into Retinal Pigment Epithelium 65 (RPE65) and potential partner proteins. Outside the lab, Alex enjoys competing in video games at both professional and collegiate levels nationwide, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Danielle Yama is a Ph.D. student who joined Martin Horvath’s lab in 2024 studying the evolution of the enzyme MutY and how early life organisms could have developed DNA protecting mechanisms on a young Earth. Prior to this, she had earned her BS in Biology from the University of Idaho with some focus on studying antifungal proteins. Danielle has a particular fondness for evolution, genetics, and heredity as well as gene therapy bases systems, and of course, the amazing structures of molecules. She has many passions, likely not enough time to pursue them all, but in her free time she enjoys writing novels, dance, climbing, hiking/exploring and being outdoors. She has recently developed a love for public speaking and seeks to one day try what is probably one of the most frightening subjects/skillsets in the world: keynote speaking. She also wants to become an eventual author and teacher.

Galilee Thompson joined Martin Horvath’s lab as an undergraduate student in 2024 and in collaboration with former Ph.D. student, Dr. Vincent Mays, explores the possibility of MutY Cas9-mediated base editing in prokaryotic systems. Prior to this, she graduated with her AS from Snow College, studied in South Korea, and earned her BS in Biology from the University of Utah. As a premed student, she is focused on becoming a Family Physician. Galilee has a particular fondness for personalized medicine, in-depth diagnostic practices, and evolving medicinal treatment plans for the future. With this comes her love for biochemical engineering, genetics, and chemistry in general! Outside of research, Galilee enjoys a wide range of pursuits, including international travel, boxing, archery, horsemanship, running, dancing, ice skating, and poetry. She hopes to pursue medical school or MD/PhD to ultimately contribute to medicine as a Family Physician in a way that supports both the physical well-being and the humanity of her future patients.

Emily Nuibe is a research assistant who joined Horvath lab in 2025 after being teaching assistant for Molecular DNA Lab and helping start up an SRI stream for Dr. Horvath and Danielle. She has been working on the Archaea MutY study and continuing to help run the SRI stream. She got her BS from the University of Utah in 2024. Pursed research on norepinephrine as mediator of cardiac arrhythmias in hypoglycemia in living model for 3 years and has interested in the molecular mechanisms and pathways. In her free time, she likes to travel, do Pilates and bake.

Liv Christensen is an undergraduate student who joined the lab in Summer of 2025 to work on Vincent May’s gene editing project. She is now working on the tailocin project while earning her BS in Biochemistry at the University of Utah, and is expected to graduate in Spring 2026. She loves the intersection between medicine, biology, and chemistry, and wants to focus on that through research. Outside of the lab, she works as an EMT and greatly enjoys music.

Alexis is currently working with the Tailocin project and absolutely love it. She wants to pursue her PhD in Biological Chemistry here at the University of Utah this next year and is super excited for the opportunity. In her free time, she loves to read, snowboard, travel, and collect house plants!