Meet the Team
Interim Associate VP of Research
Director of COVID-19 Facilities
Dr. Barrie Bode
Currently a Professor and Director of Wastewater Surveillance Testing Facilities at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Served as NIU Biological Sciences department chair from 2009-2020 with a research program in the molecular and nutritional physiology of cancer. Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Florida.
Research Scientist
Syed Hyder
Lab Scientist for the past 3 years at NIU and enrolled as a Master's student. Previously worked as a Molecular Diagnostic Technician at a clinical lab dealing with GI pathogens and SARS-CoV-2. Bachelor's degree in Biology from Loyola University Chicago.
Lab member
Stephanie Alkonga
I am a Sophomore majoring in Chemistry and Biological Sciences with a minor in English. After my collegiate career, I hope to enter medical school and become a physician.
KWRD Intern
Stephen Harcar
Post-Baccalaureate student studying chemistry and biology at Northern Illinois University (NIU) with a Bachelor’s in physics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Currently work as a medical laboratory technician at the SHIELD Illinois Clinical Laboratory Development Program. Previously worked for 2 years as lead laboratory processor for SHIELD Illinois testing for SARS-CoV-2.
Lab member
Ally Abdallah
Currently a Junior pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a focus in a pre-med. Upon finishing my undergraduate studies here at NIU, I plan on applying to Midwestern University to pursue medical school and become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
KWRD Intern
Diego Lagunes Robledo
Coming soon
Former Lab Members
Maddie Dossett
KWRD intern