Leslie Sombers, phd, Principal Investigator
Dr. Sombers heads our interdisciplinary lab researching the intersection of neuroscience and neurochemistry. After acquiring her Bachelor’s and Masters from the College of William and Mary, she completed her PhD at Pennsylvania State University with a post-doctoral position at University of North Carolina.
GRegory McCarty, PhD, research Associate Professor
Dr. McCarty received his BS, MS, and PhD from Penn State University to complete the full trifecta of degrees. He’s a research associate professor at the University of Florida conducting research on neurochemical detection using FSCV.
Email: gmccarty@ufl.edu
Kalynn Turner, Phd Candidate, 5th year
Kalynn is from a small town in rural North Carolina called Marion. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from NC State University in 2022. In the lab, Kalynn is working on several projects that include characterizing the modulation of dopamine by other neurochemicals as well as simultaneously detecting serotonin and glucose in vivo. Outside of the lab, Kalynn likes hiking, reading, playing with her cats, and taking care of her sourdough starter!
Email: km.turner@ufl.edu
Kayleigh Linder, Phd Candidate, 4th Year
Kayleigh is from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and she graduated from East Carolina University with a BS in Science Education and Chemistry in 2023. She joined the Sombers lab in the Fall of 2023 and is working on research that includes using FSCV to evaluate the impact of fire retardants on dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin signaling and electrical function in vivo. Outside of the lab, she loves to spend time reading, writing, and fostering kittens.
Email: klinder@ufl.edu
Benjamin Melluso, Master’s Student
Benjamin is from Frederick, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2023. He joined the Sombers lab in the Fall of 2024 and is working on a research project characterizing and optimizing the electrochemistry of aptamer-based biosensors. Outside of the lab, he enjoys coding, playing TTRPGs with friends, video games, art, and listening to music.
Email: benjaminmelluso@ufl.edu
Kemoi George, graduate researcher, 2nd Year
Kemoi comes from the island of St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida A&M University, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences. His main research interests include understanding the neurobiology and neurocircuitry of psychiatric disorders, particularly in relation to substance abuse. He is also interested in the discovery of synthetic drugs that not only treat symptoms but also treat the underlying neurochemical changes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. In his free time, he loves playing video games, cooking and baking, reading, listening to podcasts, exercising, and spending time outdoors.
Kemoi is working in the Sombers lab under a co-mentorship with the McLaughlin Lab at UF.
Email: kemoi.george@ufl.edu
Colin Hafdahl, Undergraduate researcher, 4th Year
Colin is from Niceville, Florida, and is currently pursuing his B.S. in both Biochemistry and Neuroscience at the University of Florida. He is helping to investigate the effects of fetal exposure to flame retardants on adolescent social behavior and altered dopamine signaling later in life using FSCV. Outside of the lab, he enjoys kayaking, video games, fishing, and watching YouTube.
Email: colinhafdahl@ufl.edu