Meet Our Team
We love having a lab that is comprised of varying backgrounds and unique interests. We all work in a collaborative manner and share the goal of furthering our field.
Get to know our team below!
Get to know our team below!

Kymberly Gowdy, MS, PhD
Principal Investigator
How the environment can alter the pulmonary immune response has been a central focus of my research since graduate school. My lab is currently investigating how environmental exposures can increase susceptibility to infection and how diet can be used to alter the pulmonary immune response. My personal interests include reading, hiking, working out, and watching college football and basketball, Go Hokies!
Principal Investigator
How the environment can alter the pulmonary immune response has been a central focus of my research since graduate school. My lab is currently investigating how environmental exposures can increase susceptibility to infection and how diet can be used to alter the pulmonary immune response. My personal interests include reading, hiking, working out, and watching college football and basketball, Go Hokies!

Laura Leuenberger, MD
Pulmonary Clinical Instructor
My research is focused on exploring sterolomics and lipidomics in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, especially as this relates to obesity and other metabolic diseases. My other academic interests include diversity and equity in medical education, and my clinical interests are in critical care and post ICU care. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our pets, being outdoors (especially running and hiking), and baking.
Pulmonary Clinical Instructor
My research is focused on exploring sterolomics and lipidomics in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, especially as this relates to obesity and other metabolic diseases. My other academic interests include diversity and equity in medical education, and my clinical interests are in critical care and post ICU care. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our pets, being outdoors (especially running and hiking), and baking.

Samuel Cochran, PhD
Post-Doctoral Scholar
I have been in the Gowdy Lab as a Post-Doctoral Scholar for 2 years now. I previously earned my PhD in Environmental Public Health here at OSU, studying associations between microbial exposures in built environments and adverse asthma outcomes. I am also interested in the pathophysiology of lung injury and inflammation from environmental exposures. My current research focuses on inflammation and resolution following ozone exposure in murine models. I look forward to integrating exposure science and toxicology in pursuit of reducing respiratory disease burdens. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, painting, caring for my plants and two cats, and spending time with family and friends!
Post-Doctoral Scholar
I have been in the Gowdy Lab as a Post-Doctoral Scholar for 2 years now. I previously earned my PhD in Environmental Public Health here at OSU, studying associations between microbial exposures in built environments and adverse asthma outcomes. I am also interested in the pathophysiology of lung injury and inflammation from environmental exposures. My current research focuses on inflammation and resolution following ozone exposure in murine models. I look forward to integrating exposure science and toxicology in pursuit of reducing respiratory disease burdens. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, painting, caring for my plants and two cats, and spending time with family and friends!

Evie Schott
Graduate Research Assistant, PhD Student
I am a second-year graduate student at Ohio State University seeking my PhD in Immunology and Immunotherapeutics. Originally, I am from Short Hills, New Jersey and previously earned my B.S. in Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Bioscience from North Carolina State University in 2021. In Dr. Gowdy’s lab, I am gaining valuable research experience as well as studying bacterial infections that will help me decide what path to pursue after the completion of my graduate program. Outside of the lab, I enjoy doing puzzles, tending to my ever-growing succulent garden, and spending time with family and friends!
Graduate Research Assistant, PhD Student
I am a second-year graduate student at Ohio State University seeking my PhD in Immunology and Immunotherapeutics. Originally, I am from Short Hills, New Jersey and previously earned my B.S. in Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Bioscience from North Carolina State University in 2021. In Dr. Gowdy’s lab, I am gaining valuable research experience as well as studying bacterial infections that will help me decide what path to pursue after the completion of my graduate program. Outside of the lab, I enjoy doing puzzles, tending to my ever-growing succulent garden, and spending time with family and friends!

Grace Hutton
Laboratory Manager
I am from the Dayton area and earned my B.S. in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from Ohio State University in 2023. Currently, I am a graduate nursing student at OSU, hoping to incorporate research into my career as an APRN. My time in lab thus far has helped me gain practical lab experience, learn more about pulmonary immunology, and given me the opportunity to run my own research projects. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing video/board games, and spending time with my friends, boyfriend, and our dog, Cooper!
Laboratory Manager
I am from the Dayton area and earned my B.S. in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from Ohio State University in 2023. Currently, I am a graduate nursing student at OSU, hoping to incorporate research into my career as an APRN. My time in lab thus far has helped me gain practical lab experience, learn more about pulmonary immunology, and given me the opportunity to run my own research projects. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing video/board games, and spending time with my friends, boyfriend, and our dog, Cooper!

Tyson Ngatikaura
Laboratory Manager
I was born and raised in Utah. In 2022, I graduated from Utah Valley University (UVU) with a B.A. in Exercise Science. My prior research experience took place in the Human Performance lab at UVU, where I focused on exploring metabolic and biomechanical efficiency in the context of recreational runners and student athletes. Recently, I finished OSU's Discovery PREP program. I consider myself fortunate for the opportunity to collaborate within Dr. Gowdy's lab, contributing to the advancement of pulmonary immunology research. Beyond the lab, I find joy in trying new recipes and restaurants alongside my wife, spending time with our son, playing basketball, skiing, and crafting Dungeons and Dragons campaigns.
Laboratory Manager
I was born and raised in Utah. In 2022, I graduated from Utah Valley University (UVU) with a B.A. in Exercise Science. My prior research experience took place in the Human Performance lab at UVU, where I focused on exploring metabolic and biomechanical efficiency in the context of recreational runners and student athletes. Recently, I finished OSU's Discovery PREP program. I consider myself fortunate for the opportunity to collaborate within Dr. Gowdy's lab, contributing to the advancement of pulmonary immunology research. Beyond the lab, I find joy in trying new recipes and restaurants alongside my wife, spending time with our son, playing basketball, skiing, and crafting Dungeons and Dragons campaigns.

Nishi Suresh
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am currently a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience. After graduation, I plan to attend Medical School in hopes of earning an MD and working in the pediatric field. In Dr. Gowdy’s lab, I am learning the effects of environmental exposures on our pulmonary system, a variety of lab techniques, as well as research education relative to pulmonary immunology. Outside of lab, I love to read, play tennis, explore different cuisines, watch movies/TV shows, and spend time with my friends and family!
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am currently a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience. After graduation, I plan to attend Medical School in hopes of earning an MD and working in the pediatric field. In Dr. Gowdy’s lab, I am learning the effects of environmental exposures on our pulmonary system, a variety of lab techniques, as well as research education relative to pulmonary immunology. Outside of lab, I love to read, play tennis, explore different cuisines, watch movies/TV shows, and spend time with my friends and family!
Former Members

Donovan Thach
BS in Biochemistry
Previous: Undergraduate Research Assistant