Meet the Lab

Dr. Daisy H. Ahumada
Assistant Professor
Office: Varsity Research Building
Email: daisy_ahumada@ncsu.edu
Phone: 919-515-7020
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Marcela Vasquez Mayorga
Post-doctoral Scholar
mvasque2@ncsu.edu

Maria Fernanda Lainfiesta Palomo
Research Technician
mflainfi@ncsu.edu

Picture of smiling woman with pale skin and reddish hair

Rose Riggs
Research Technician

I am a budding pathologist and entomologist, and my knowledge is always growing! My previous experience has been with the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division as an invasive pest screening and biocontrol research technician. In private industry, have worked in RTP as an operations team member for UPL. I’m hoping to continue to learn more about agricultural advancement in my role at NCSU!

Part-time Lab Members:

Reece Neiderer, Research Technician, 2024 – Present
Diana Galan Portillo, Kelman Scholar, 2025 – Present
Sawyer Exum, Altria Intern, 2025 – Present

Previous Lab Members:

Zeb Baukhagen, Research Technician, 2024 – 2025
Sara Grace Dalton, Undergraduate Research Technician, 2023 – 2025
Gus Jones, Altria Intern & ENT/PP 493 trainee, 2024
Austin Brown, Undergraduate Research Technician, 2024
Sydney Seiter, Research Technician, 2023 – 2024
Alex Tung, Research Technician, 2023 – 2024