Bill Landesman, PhD, Associate Professor, Biology
I am an ecologist who uses a combination of field and molecular techniques to study how Lyme disease risk varies across forested ecosystems in Vermont. In addition, I study forest soil biodiversity and nutrient cycling. My research is carried out in collaboration with undergraduate students at Vermont State University. My favorite organism is the Australian Cassowary and my favorite molecule is Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase ("RuBisCO") because it is the most abundant enzyme on earth and removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Email: [email protected]
Here is a link to my faculty web page
I am an ecologist who uses a combination of field and molecular techniques to study how Lyme disease risk varies across forested ecosystems in Vermont. In addition, I study forest soil biodiversity and nutrient cycling. My research is carried out in collaboration with undergraduate students at Vermont State University. My favorite organism is the Australian Cassowary and my favorite molecule is Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase ("RuBisCO") because it is the most abundant enzyme on earth and removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Email: [email protected]
Here is a link to my faculty web page
Samantha Bedore (VTSU Johnson)
Samantha is a Holistic Health Major with a Biology minor. Samantha is participating the development of our CRISPR/Cas12a assay that we will use to identify OspC variants of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. Samantha's favorite organism is a Netherland dwarf rabbit (her pet!) and her favorite molecule is Hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that transports oxygen. When Samantha is not in the lab you can find her baking, doing arts & crafts or playing board games.
Samantha is a Holistic Health Major with a Biology minor. Samantha is participating the development of our CRISPR/Cas12a assay that we will use to identify OspC variants of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. Samantha's favorite organism is a Netherland dwarf rabbit (her pet!) and her favorite molecule is Hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that transports oxygen. When Samantha is not in the lab you can find her baking, doing arts & crafts or playing board games.
Rachael Metzgar (VTSU Johnson)
Rachael is a Biology major and is working on our protocol for measuring soil ammonium and nitrate in soil with a plate reader. We will use this assay to determine the impact of invasive jumping worms on the soil nitrogen cycle. Rachael's favorite organism is the Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) because they are ecosystem engineers (and cute!). When Rachael is not is the lab, you can find them snowboarding, hiking, watercolor painting or journaling.
Rachael is a Biology major and is working on our protocol for measuring soil ammonium and nitrate in soil with a plate reader. We will use this assay to determine the impact of invasive jumping worms on the soil nitrogen cycle. Rachael's favorite organism is the Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) because they are ecosystem engineers (and cute!). When Rachael is not is the lab, you can find them snowboarding, hiking, watercolor painting or journaling.
Kaylo Stevenson (VTSU Castleton)
Kaylo is a Biology major with minors in chemistry and outdoor recreation. He is working on our research into relationships between forest understory vegetation and tick populations. Kaylo's favorite organisms are the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). When Kaylo is not in the field you probably find him cycling to the nearest coffee shop.
Kaylo is a Biology major with minors in chemistry and outdoor recreation. He is working on our research into relationships between forest understory vegetation and tick populations. Kaylo's favorite organisms are the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). When Kaylo is not in the field you probably find him cycling to the nearest coffee shop.
Maya Suarez (VTSU Johnson)
Maya is a Biology major interested in pursuing a career in molecular biology. She is participating in the development of our CRISPR/Cas12a assay for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto OspC variants. Maya's favorite organism is Paramecium caudatum because it was the model on a poster that taught her the organelles. Her favorite molecule is 3-methylindole which creates the odor of feces in large concentrations and has a floral scent in low concentrations. When Maya is not in the lab you can find her cross stitching or nerding out about lab work.
Maya is a Biology major interested in pursuing a career in molecular biology. She is participating in the development of our CRISPR/Cas12a assay for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto OspC variants. Maya's favorite organism is Paramecium caudatum because it was the model on a poster that taught her the organelles. Her favorite molecule is 3-methylindole which creates the odor of feces in large concentrations and has a floral scent in low concentrations. When Maya is not in the lab you can find her cross stitching or nerding out about lab work.
Luke Walters (VTSU Johnson)
Luke is a Biology and Secondary Education major who plans to become a science and math teacher. Luke participated in Project ITCH during the summer of 2023. He serves as Student Government Association President and competes with the cross country team and men's volleyball team. His favorite organism is the otter (he relates to their chaotic, cute nature and loves to swim) and his favorite molecule is dodecahydroxycyclohexane because of its cool symmetrical shape and a fun name.
Luke is a Biology and Secondary Education major who plans to become a science and math teacher. Luke participated in Project ITCH during the summer of 2023. He serves as Student Government Association President and competes with the cross country team and men's volleyball team. His favorite organism is the otter (he relates to their chaotic, cute nature and loves to swim) and his favorite molecule is dodecahydroxycyclohexane because of its cool symmetrical shape and a fun name.
Alexy Williams (VTSU Castleton)
Alexy is a Biology major planning to enroll in Veterinary Medical School after graduating from VTSU. During the summer of 2024, she helped to establish our long-term study looking into the role of invasive plant species in maintaining blacklegged tick populations. She returned in the summer of 2025 to continue this research. In addition, Alexy is investigating potential interactions between blacklegged ticks and Asian Jumping Worms.
Alexy is a Biology major planning to enroll in Veterinary Medical School after graduating from VTSU. During the summer of 2024, she helped to establish our long-term study looking into the role of invasive plant species in maintaining blacklegged tick populations. She returned in the summer of 2025 to continue this research. In addition, Alexy is investigating potential interactions between blacklegged ticks and Asian Jumping Worms.
Kali Wooster (VTSU Johnson)
Kali is a fourth-year student at VTSU, Johnson majoring in Wildlife and Forest Conservation. Kali participated in Project ITCH during the summer of 2023 and, during the summer of 2024, on our research into the relationship between forest understory vegetation and tick populations. Kali’s favorite organisms are spiders ("Not only do they play a crucial role in an ecosystem, but they are also the artists of the forest, decorating it with their beautiful and complex webs"). Kali has a deep love and appreciation for plants; therefore, her favorite molecule is glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆). When Kali is not in the field or studying, she can be found running, hiking, or playing tennis with her friends.
Kali is a fourth-year student at VTSU, Johnson majoring in Wildlife and Forest Conservation. Kali participated in Project ITCH during the summer of 2023 and, during the summer of 2024, on our research into the relationship between forest understory vegetation and tick populations. Kali’s favorite organisms are spiders ("Not only do they play a crucial role in an ecosystem, but they are also the artists of the forest, decorating it with their beautiful and complex webs"). Kali has a deep love and appreciation for plants; therefore, her favorite molecule is glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆). When Kali is not in the field or studying, she can be found running, hiking, or playing tennis with her friends.
Alumni
Deacon Watson ('24)
Deacon majored in Biology at VTSU Castleton. During the summer of 2024, he helped us get started with our research into the role of forest understory vegetation in maintaining tick populations. He has delivered numerous presentations on this research, including for the Vermont Disease and Wildlife Ecology Symposium (Summer 2024) and the McNair's Scholars Conference (Fall 2024).
Deacon majored in Biology at VTSU Castleton. During the summer of 2024, he helped us get started with our research into the role of forest understory vegetation in maintaining tick populations. He has delivered numerous presentations on this research, including for the Vermont Disease and Wildlife Ecology Symposium (Summer 2024) and the McNair's Scholars Conference (Fall 2024).
Lily Mulin ('23)
Lily majored in Biology at Northern Vermont University (just before our transformation to VTSU) and played soccer for the Badgers. Lily participated in the early experiments to develop our CRISPR/Cas12a assay for B. burgdorferi detection. She is now a second year student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine.
Lily majored in Biology at Northern Vermont University (just before our transformation to VTSU) and played soccer for the Badgers. Lily participated in the early experiments to develop our CRISPR/Cas12a assay for B. burgdorferi detection. She is now a second year student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine.
Halie Tillotson ('22)
Halie was a Biology major at Northern Vermont University (before our transformation to VTSU) and played soccer for the Badgers. She helped to get the molecular lab started during my first year at NVU, playing a critical role in testing our equipment and organizing samples. She participated in the early testing of our CRISPR/Cas12a assay for B. burgdorferi detection.
Halie was a Biology major at Northern Vermont University (before our transformation to VTSU) and played soccer for the Badgers. She helped to get the molecular lab started during my first year at NVU, playing a critical role in testing our equipment and organizing samples. She participated in the early testing of our CRISPR/Cas12a assay for B. burgdorferi detection.
Taylor Hudson (PhD student at UC Berkley and scientist with the Innovative Genomics Institute)
Taylor majored in Biology at Green Mountain College, (my institution from 2011 - 2019) and was my first lab member. After graduation, Taylor worked at the Veterans Education and Research Association of Northern New England, Inc. (White River Junction, VT) where she worked on CRISPR/Cas gene editing. She received a Master's degree in Data Science from Dartmouth College and joined the Innovative Genomics Institute (Berkley, CA). Taylor is now a PhD student at UC Berkley. She is part of the a team that used gene editing to save a six month old!
Taylor majored in Biology at Green Mountain College, (my institution from 2011 - 2019) and was my first lab member. After graduation, Taylor worked at the Veterans Education and Research Association of Northern New England, Inc. (White River Junction, VT) where she worked on CRISPR/Cas gene editing. She received a Master's degree in Data Science from Dartmouth College and joined the Innovative Genomics Institute (Berkley, CA). Taylor is now a PhD student at UC Berkley. She is part of the a team that used gene editing to save a six month old!