Chelsea Hughes, PhD
Chelsea is broadly interested in the molecular and cellular mechanisms that enable organisms to tolerate environmental stress. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from Portland State University in 2025, where she was part of the Center for Life in Extreme Environments. Her dissertation focused on uncovering the pathways that regulate gene expression during anoxia tolerance in the annual killifish, Austrofundulus limnaeus.
Currently, her research explores stress responses to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Fundulus heteroclitus and Danio rerio, with the goal of understanding both cellular adaptation and susceptibility to PAH exposure. Ultimately, she aims to translate novel mechanisms of stress tolerance into therapeutic strategies for human diseases.
Outside the lab, Chelsea enjoys reading fiction, creative writing, and getting lost in games of all kinds—from video games to board games to tabletop RPGs. She’s usually joined by her two curious cats, Cupcake and Oreo, who firmly believe they’re part of every adventure.
Lab Affiliation: Jayasundara
Alyssa Wicks, PhD
Alyssa earned her B.S. in Chemistry and Physics from St. Catherine University in 2021 and her Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame in 2025. Her graduate research focused on analyzing various environmental contaminants, including PFAS, lead, and halogenated azobenzene disperse dyes. Most of her work investigated PFAS in consumer products, specifically watch bands, feminine hygiene products, and firefighter station wear. At Duke, Alyssa is studying exposure routes of PFAS in the home environment. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, visiting national parks (she’s been to over half of the 63!), and reading.
Lab affiliation: Stapleton and Hoffman
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alyssagwicks