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, with work focused on the WNV helicase and on the effect of mosquito microbiomes on viral transmission.

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.

Logan Hake joined the Sexton lab in the summer of 2024 as and undergraduate but then began graduate training in Fall 2025. Logan earned 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 now focuses on human responses to vector bites. 

K M Main Uddin joined the Sexton lab in the summer of 2025 as a graduate PhD student in the School of Biological Sciences Program. He earned his Bachelor of Science & Master of Science degree in Microbiology from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Main’s work focuses on the cellular characterization of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in bird, the amplifying host for WNV, and the effect of fatty acids (Palmitoleate) on WNV replication in birds.

Shereen Ahmed joined the Sexton lab in Summer 2024 as a STEM POWER scholar. Shereen is an undergraduate student at UNL pursuing a degree in Microbiology from the College of Arts and Sciences. Born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Shereen always had a curiosity about the way things work, especially in science. Her interest in virology grew as she began college and explored biological systems through her coursework. In the future, she aspires to work in healthcare, where she hopes to apply her scientific knowledge and provide adequate care for others.

Ashley Texel is an undergraduate student at UNL pursuing a degree in Biochemistry from the College of Arts and Sciences. She has lived in Lincoln her entire life and all of her immediate family has attended UNL. She has developed a strong interest in science, driven by a curiosity for innovation and discovery. She is passionate about utilizing scientific knowledge to improve society and strengthen communities, with a focus on public health initiatives such as science communication and community outreach. She hopes to pursue a future career in public health, specifically in epidemiology, where she can bridge the gap between science and communities while contributing to research that advances human health.

Caden Connealy joined the Sexton lab in 2023 as a UCARE supported researcher. Caden was 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 earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, completed an honors thesis in the Sexton Lab, and continued his academic pursuits in Medical School at UNMC.

Hayley Moree joined the Sexton lab in the summer of 2023 and was a UCARE supported researcher. Hayley was an undergraduate research student at UNL 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 earned a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences, completed an honors thesis in the Sexton Lab, and continued her academic pursuits in Medical School at UNMC.

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.

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.