David Leib, PhD
PI. David grew up in London, England, within shouting distance of Wembley Stadium, the home of football (a.k.a. soccer). He had an early fascination with microbiology watching Paramecia and amoebae crawling in pond water under his toy microscope. He attended Birmingham University for a BSc in biology, and then Liverpool University for his PhD working on non-human primate herpesviruses. He then spent 3 years in Priscilla Schaffer's lab at Harvard before taking a faculty position at Washington University in St. Louis. After 19 wonderful years there he moved the lab to Dartmouth in 2009. When not in lab, David enjoys his family, hiking, playing soccer, coaching soccer, watching soccer, and never stops dreaming that England will win the World Cup again.
Audra Charron, PhD
Senior Research Scientist. Audra has suspended her nomadic lifestyle for the time being, having been pulled back by the formidable tractor beam of her native NH following many years away. Audra’s graduate and post-doctoral training was centered around cell biology and microbiology, with a focus on cellular polarity and host-pathogen interactions. In the Leib lab, Audra investigates the molecular basis of immunomodulation by herpesviruses, hoping to discover a link between virus-altered mitochondrial energetics and neuronal pathogenesis. Audra especially enjoys her roles in alternately inspiring David’s scientific pet projects and keeping him in line. When not at work she is usually found playing with her herbal remedy plant allies, immersed in yet another home project, running the impossible hills near home, or enjoying leisure time with her family.
Jesse Mehrbach
Technician. Jesse is a graduate of the University of Chicago and has studied biotechnology and music. He was born in Boston and grew up in the Upper Valley area. In his 8th grade yearbook he predicted that he would be a virologist, so he's very excited to be working with HSV. He enjoys fencing and board games, and his favorite animal is the cuttlefish.
Callaghan Garland
Research Assistant. Born and raised in the Upper Valley, Cal left for Montreal to study Microbiology and Immunology at McGill. After graduating, he returned to the Upper Valley, excited to apply what he learned about virology to his work at the Leib lab. In his free time, Cal enjoys wasting money on vinyl records, biking and playing pond hockey.
Evelyn Turnbaugh
Vetha Peter
Research Assistant. Vetha grew up in Wisconsin, where she also attended undergrad to study Microbiology. During this time she gained an interest in immunology and infectious diseases, eventually completing her dissertation on malaria sexual stage transmission. Afterwards, she moved to the Upper Valley and is excited to be working in virology! In her free time, Vetha enjoys cooking, shopping, and going to the gym.
Nisali Mendis
Graduate Student, MCB. Nisali, who hails from the tiny island of Sri Lanka, holds two B.Sc. degrees -- one in Zoology from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and another in Chemistry from the College of Chemical Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Sri Lanka. She is currently co-mentored by Dr. Margaret Ackerman and Dr. David Leib, and her research focuses on leveraging antibodies to better understand host–virus interactions and enhance antiviral strategies against the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). When she’s not bouncing between the two labs, Nisali enjoys reading, watching movies, going on leisurely walks, and sending Instagram reels to her twin, Thisali!
Samin Kim, PhD
Scientist. I was born and raised in Korea, where my academic path began. My passion for microbiology led me to Japan, where I pursued and earned my Ph.D. at Kyushu University. My research there focused on foodborne pathogens Bacillus cereus. After completing my doctoral studies, I ventured into the world of molecular microbiology, conducting research at Tufts Medical School and Dartmouth Medical School. These experiences further deepened my expertise and broadened my scientific horizons. Eventually, I returned to Korea, transitioning from research to education. For three years, I had the privilege of lecturing at various universities, sharing my knowledge with aspiring college students. Following that, I spent seven fulfilling years teaching at an international high school in Seoul, where I enjoyed guiding young and promising students. Now, I've made my way back to the Upper Valley, drawn by the desire to be closer to my family, wife and three kids, who reside in Norwich, Vermont. It's wonderful to be back in this community. Beyond my professional life, I'm a huge enthusiast of high school sports. This passion led me to coach both the Middle School and High School boys' volleyball teams. I'm particularly proud that last year, the Middle School boys' team I coached at the international school won the championship! I look forward to connecting with the community here and embracing new opportunities.
Zoé Manning
Undergraduate student. Zoé is an undergraduate student at Dartmouth College from Denver, Colorado, currently pursuing her B.A. in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. She’s passionate about anything involving the water, her cats, and all things food-related. In the lab, Zoe is working on a neonatal HSV detection project and enjoys learning from other lab members as she deepens her research experience. Her interests in medicine and child health are driving her toward a future in pediatrics or infectious disease.