Current Lab Members.
Scott Gordon
Scott is the Principal Investigator and an Attending Physician in the Division of Neonatology at CHOP. He believes our innovations in the lab will help to improve outcomes for moms and babies.
Scott graduated from Haverford College and received his MD and PhD from Perelman School of Medicine. He completed his residency in General Pediatrics and fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at CHOP. During his PhD, Scott studied development of killer lymphocytes with Dr. Steve Reiner. He became fascinated with reproductive immunology during his postdoc with Dr. Ed Behrens.
When he’s not in the ICU or the lab, Scott is either on adventures with his family or cooking up a storm.
Loui Othman
Loui is a Research Assistant in the lab since Summer 2021 studying innate immunity during pregnancy.
Loui graduated from Haverford College in May 2021, with a major in Biology and a minor in Neuroscience. Prior to that, Loui attended Ramallah Friends School in the West Bank. Loui is bound for medical school after his tenure in the lab. He currently volunteers at clinics and centers for immigrants and refugees in Philadelphia and beyond.
When Loui is not in the lab, he spends time with his friends exploring Philadelphia and trying out new recipes. Loui’s favorite foods are Ma’lobeh and Knaffe. Loui is an avid adventurer and has traveled to 5 continents so far!
Natalie Olivieri
Natalie is a Research Assistant in the lab since Summer 2021 studying the host response to congenital infection.
She graduated from Haverford College in May 2023, with a major in Biology and minors in Psychology and Health Studies. Natalie loves volunteering with children. She has worked with special needs students, supported kindergarteners with their reading and math, and volunteered with pediatric patients in the ICU.
In her free time, she enjoys running and watching her favorite TV show, Friends. She is also passionate about cooking and baking for her family and friends.
Adjoa Osei-Ntansah
Adjoa is a student in the Penn Immunology Graduate Group (IGG) completing her graduate thesis in the lab.
Adjoa graduated from Howard University in May 2021 with a major in Biology and a double minor in Chemistry and Community Health. Her undergraduate research experiences included understanding how the microbiome influenced the course and progression of fatty liver disease in the setting of polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Adjoa is investigating crosstalk between innate and adaptive immune cells during acute and chronic viral infections for her thesis project.
Adjoa is also passionate about tackling heath inequity through her work. Outside of lab, Adjoa loves traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Sonresa Ochoa-Vidales
Sonresa is a student in the Penn Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology (MVP) program who is completing her graduate thesis in the lab.
Sonresa graduated from the University of Utah, with a major in Biology and an Emphasis in Microbiology. She studied everything from spider mites and maize genetics to evolution of viral RNA sensors.
Sonresa is excited about discovering how pro-inflammatory molecules play roles in normal pregnancy. She hopes to improve birth outcomes for women of color. Her passions also extend to giving back to the Latino community and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in science.
In her free time, Sonresa loves listening to the Relatos de la Noche podcast (a ghost story podcast), cooking with her husband, thrift shopping, and dancing. She also loves exploring the outdoors, from visiting lakes and waterfalls to admiring the old architecture around the East Coast.
Lab Alumni.
Ariana Campbell
Ariana is a graduate student in the Penn Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology (MVP) program who rotated in the lab during Spring 2023.
Reyes Acosta
Reyes is a graduate student in the Penn Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology (MVP) program who rotated in the lab during Spring 2022.
Emmy Zucker
Emmy graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2023, with a major in global public health and minor in religious studies. She worked in the lab during Summer 2022.