Lab Members 🥼

Manning Lab Fall 2025

Left to right: *new* photo coming soon!

Schonna R. Manning, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences

Director, Water-Omics, Institute of Environment

Dr. Schonna R. Manning is a phycologist working at the intersection of molecular biology and analytical chemistry whose research examines the dynamics of harmful algal blooms and proliferations. She is also interested in the immense potential of algae in biotechnology for carbon capture, remediation, and the synthesis of diverse bioproducts. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Manning oversees the Omics Facility for the Institute of Environment, an FIU preeminent program. She is committed to advancing algal sciences and works closely with colleagues across the globe in academia, local and federal agencies, and non-profit organizations. Dr. Manning serves on numerous editorial boards and contributes to the international scientific community through her service to the Phycological Society of America and the Algae Biomass Organization, including developing educational curricula for The Algae Foundation. Dr. Manning is currently the Vice President and President-Elect for the Phycological Society of America.

Kevin Pinto, B.S. Marine Bio

Research Coordinator I

Kevin Pinto is a recent graduate of Florida International University, working as a research assistant under Dr. Schonna R. Manning. Kevin graduated in the spring of 2023 with a bachelor's in marine biology and intends to continue his studies as a graduate student in the coming year. Outside of the lab, Kevin enjoys teaching music as a guitar and bass instructor.

Alexander Grossman, B.S. Bio

Research Assistant

Alexander Grossman graduated from FIU in the Summer of 2025 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. He joined the Manning Lab Team in hopes of building experience for his ultimate goal of researching climate change mitigation strategies, something he felt he had a duty to try. At the age of 16, he became a self-published author, and he currently holds an obscure calisthenics record. When not in the lab, he works on one of several longtime art projects.

Kelly Jatib, B.S. Bio / Marine Bio

Research Assistant

Kelly Jatib is an undergraduate student researcher at FIU double majoring in Biology and Marine Biology. She’s primarily interested in microbiology and mainly manages the culturing and isolation of algal strains for the lab. Her passion for tinier scale organisms was born from an admiration for larger-scale oceanic life and the global conditions surrounding them. She plans on graduating in the summer of 2025 and pursuing higher education in the future. In her free time, she enjoys graphic design and reading fantasy novels.

Carlos Luzuriaga, Chemistry

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Carlos is an undergraduate researcher at FIU, currently pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry. With a solid research background that spans microbiology, biochemistry, and biomedical sciences, Carlos has participated in various interdisciplinary projects since his first semester at FIU. He focuses on antimicrobial resistance research, exploring drug and protein delivery systems, as well as now has a strong passion for phycology research, which began after pursuing some plant fungal endophyte studies. He is currently exploring algal bioremediation processes and their applications in enhancing water quality. Outside of research, he enjoys going on nature walks or playing basketball.

Graduate Students

Yilan Lin, M.S. Bio

Doctoral Student

Meet Yilan Lin, known in the gaming world as Catttsby. Her research passions lie in the realm of diatoms, with a keen focus on unraveling how algae serve as valuable bioindicators. Beyond her scientific pursuits, she finds solace in playing the piano and admiring algal artistry, all while savoring the delights of algae-based cuisine. When it comes to favorite animals, she has a soft spot for emperor penguins, wombats, hamsters, and capybaras.

Manning Lab Collaborators

Dr. Thomas Frankovich

Research Associate Professor

I am a marine ecologist and I investigate relationships between water quality and algal communities and how these communities change through time. The water quality subjects I study include nutrient availability, salinity distribution, and the underwater light environment. The algal communities I study are quite diverse and encompass a broad range of size and habitats from microscopic phytoplankton to macroscopic seaweeds and seagrasses and include unique environments such as the skin of manatees, sea turtles and whales. Most of my research is conducted in the estuaries of South Florida but I also collaborate with international scientists to study algal communities across the globe. Current research projects include phytoplankton and water quality monitoring in the St. Lucie Estuary, seagrass and macroalgal dynamics in Everglades National Park, and the taxonomy of epizoic diatoms on marine vertebrates.