The Sexton Lab
Nicole R. Sexton, PhD – Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor of Integrative Disease Biology
School of Biological Sciences, Nebraska Center for Virology, Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication (NCIBC)
Professor Sexton earned a PhD from Vanderbilt University, preceded by a BS from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and as AS from Santa Rosa Junior College. Dr. Sexton’s work has investigated a variety of RNA viruses including ebola, chikungunya, coronaviruses, and currently viruses in the Flaviviridae family (such as Zika and West Nile virus).
Current Lab Members
Research Technician
Kenny Steen, BS, Laboratory Research Technician III
Kenny Steen earned his BS in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska in 2023. He was born and raised in Lincoln, NE. After graduating Kenny immediately joined the Sexton lab and is integral to the daily operations of the laboratory. Kenny’s long term goals are to pursue graduate education combining PhD and DVM training to support his ultimate aspirations of improving animal health.
Graduate Student Researchers
Waruni Rajapaksha joined the Sexton lab as a PhD student in the Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology program in August 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Waruni’s research focuses on the interactions between arboviruses and mosquitoes.
Brhanu Fentaw joined the Sexton Lab as a PhD student in the Biomedical Engineering program in August 2024. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Jimma University, Ethiopia, and completed his Master’s degree in Biomedical Science and Engineering at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea. Brhanu’s research focuses on understanding viral adaptation mechanisms using advanced bioinformatics techniques. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing and watching soccer, which he fondly refers to as real football.
Undergraduate Researchers
Caden Connealy joined the Sexton lab in 2023 as a UCARE supported researcher. Caden is an undergraduate student at UNL who was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. Caden has held an interest in science and the natural world since his youth, where he would entertain himself with Nat Geo documentaries and Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos.” He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Hayley Moree joined the Sexton lab in the summer of 2023 and is now a UCAR supported researcher. Hayley is an undergraduate research student at UNL who is from Papillion, NE. Before settling down in Papillion, Hayley lived all over the country due to her father’s role in the USAF. Hayley has been interested in medicine since she was a young child, leading to her interest in virology. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Logan Hake joined the Sexton lab in the summer of 2024. Logan is an undergraduate student working on a bachelors degree in Microbiology in the School of Arts and Sciences. Logan grew up in Firth, Nebraska and graduated from Norris High School. Logan has been interested in viruses and diseases most of his life and hopes to continue working at universities and research labs post-graduation.
Haleigh Flynn joined the Sexton lab in the spring of 2024. Haleigh was born and raised in Lincoln, NE, and graduated from Lincoln Southwest High School. Haleigh is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology & Biological Sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences at UNL. Haleigh has always had a passion for science and an eagerness to learn more about the world. In the future, Haleigh plans to continue her education and further research into viruses and microorganisms.
Past Lab Members
Undergraduate Researchers
Isabelle Juhler will be starting as a graduate student in Biochemistry at Purdue in Fall of 2024. She joined the Sexton lab for the summer of 2023 as a SRP supported researcher. Isabelle had a variety of past research experiences within the realm of biochemistry and molecular biology before coming to the Sexton lab. Her primary research interests are mechanisms of disease. Isabelle’s interest in research was sparked by a number of strong mentors in her life, and she hopes to serve as a mentor for others working towards their scientific goals in her future career.
Sarah Al Wahaibi joined the Sexton lab in the fall of 2023, she has since moved to a lab focused on her core interest in biological engineering. Sarah is from Muscat, Oman. Sarah earned a scholarship from Oman’s Ministry of Higher Education, which enabled her to study in both Australia and the US. Her love for science and fascination with the microscopic world led to a keen interest in virology. Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Systems Engineering from the College of Engineering.
Adrian Dunivan joined the Sexton Lab for the summer of 2024 as an REU student. Adrian is an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri-Columbia and is from O’Fallon, Missouri. They were interested in exploring research in other biological fields outside of plant sciences, which led them to apply for a summer internship in a virology lab. They are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.
Zoie Miller joined the Sexton Lab in the fall of 2023 as a UCARE supported researcher.
Zoie graduated from Elk Point-Jefferson High School, but was born in LeMars, Iowa. Zoie has been interested in medicine since a young child, which led to an interest in virology. Zoie is attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences. Zoie plans on becoming a PA and is currently working towards that goal.
Mahmoud Gamal was a visiting scholar in the Sexton Lab Fall 2024. Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Mahmoud is a senior student at the Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University majoring in Biotechnology. As part of the USAID Scholars program, Mahmoud was able to study abroad for one semester at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He hopes to return to UNL for graduate school. Mahmoud’s goal is to inspire the next generation of scientists in Egypt.
Future Lab Members
Our lab is very full currently, however, if you are strongly interested in joining our team contact Professor Sexton at nicole.sexton@unl.edu. Provide your background and specifics about why you are interested in working with us.
The Sexton Lab at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln 