Zhang Lab @ Danforth
Outreach
3/7/26, Zhang lab at the PlantTech Jam outreach event.
The PlantTech Jam is free hands-on science, tinkering, and robotics fun for the whole family. See more information here.
Our topic is "Photosynthesis Feeds the World".
More than 170 kids dropped by our station (not counting accompanied adults).
Ruby Ackermann
Position: High school intern
Education: Principia Upper School
About: Ruby is a High School Senior at Principia Upper School. She is a part of a Field and Natural History class and an Advanced Biology class. She has participated in the Shaw Institute for Field Training, helps run a turtle tracking club at her school, and is passionate about sustainability. Ruby plans to study Biology in college with a focus on ecology and plant science. In her free time, she likes to watercolor, bake, and spend time outdoors camping and kayaking.
Time in the Zhang lab: Jan 2026-April 2026
Solomon Pohlman
Position: High school intern
Education: Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience
About: Solomon Pohlman is a High School Senior at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience. He has worked with the Green House Venture program to study plant sciences, and is a two-year competitor in Envirothon. He runs for his school Cross Country and Track and Field teams, and is a member of their Hackathon team. In his free time, Solomon likes to play video games, run, and build puzzles.
Time in the Zhang lab: Jan 2026-April 2026
Nina Okike
Position: Undergraduate Intern
Education: Principia College, BS in chemical engineering dual at Principia College and the University of North Dakota, 2027
About: Nina Okike is a A junior working towards B.S. chemical engineering dual at Principia College and the University of North Dakota. Nina has a strong passion for biochemical engineering as a tool for climate change mitigation and reliance. She is very excited to be a winter intern at the Zhang Lab. In her free time, Nina enjoys playing lawn tennis, spending quality time with family and friends, and movie critiquing.
Time in the Zhang lab: Dec 2025- Jan 2026
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Amarachi Ejimadu
Position: Undergraduate Intern
Education: Principia College, Biology and Chemistry, 2027
About: Amarachi Ejimadu is a sophomore at Principia College and a plant science enthusiast. She works in her school’s greenhouse and aviary. In the fall of 2024, Amarachi worked on a project to increase plant species diversity in the aviary. She intends to pursue plant science research opportunities to strengthen her research skills and is excited about the experience she will gain in the Zhang Lab. She also plans to join a graduate program to further deepen her knowledge of plant science. In her free time, she enjoys singing, playing soccer, and spending time with friends.
Time in the Zhang lab: May 2025-Aug 2025;
Dec 2025-Jan 2026
Elizabeth Dill
Position: REU Summer Intern
Education: Lindenwood University, BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2026
About: Elizabeth Dill is going into her last year at Lindenwood University studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She is passionate about plants and how they can be used to restore habitat. She is extremely excited to be an intern in the Zhang lab this summer and hopes to gain valuable experience. She hopes to continue in her education to eventually earn a graduate degree in ecology or conservation biology. In her free time, she loves to read, garden, hang out with animals, and run.
Time in the Zhang lab: May 2025-Aug 2025;
Amarachi Ejimadu
Position: Undergraduate Summer Intern
Education: Principia College, BS in Biology and Chemistry, 2027
About: Amarachi Ejimadu is a sophomore at Principia College and a plant science enthusiast. She works in her school’s greenhouse and aviary. In the fall of 2024, Amarachi worked on a project to increase plant species diversity in the aviary. She intends to pursue plant science research opportunities to strengthen her research skills and is excited about the experience she will gain in the Zhang Lab. She also plans to join a graduate program to further deepen her knowledge of plant science. In her free time, she enjoys singing, playing soccer, and spending time with friends.
Friday, September 27, 2024
Divya, Nushrat, Dom, Luke, and Ru shared their research about Chlamydomonas at Party with the Plants at The Danforth Center.
June, 2023
Luke Sharpe joined the Zhang lab as a Summer Intern. Welcome, Luke!
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Kayla Ehrlic joined the Zhang lab as an NSF REU intern. Welcome Kayla!
Time in the Zhang lab: May 2023-Aug 2023;
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Ru’s 13-year-old son, Zoran, volunteered to show kids how to do soldering at the Danforth PlantTech Jam outreach event. Link to PlantTech Jam.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Ru’s 7-year-old son, Roger, learned how to do tobacco infiltration taught by the Burch-Smith Lab at the Danforth PlantTech Jam outreach event. Link to PlantTech Jam.
Friday, September 23, 2022
Cady and Erin shared their research about Chlamydomonas at Party with the Plants at The Danforth Center.
Friday, April 8, 2022
Grace Milburn volunteered for STEAM night at a local elementary school.
Monday, May 24, 2021
Margarita Del Rocio Ramirez joined the Zhang lab as an REU student. On July 30th, 2021, Margarita presented at the REU symposium!
Time in the Zhang lab: May 2021-Aug 2021;
February, 2021
PI Ru Zhang participated in the "the International Day of Women and Girls in Science" at Danforth Center, read more here.
Monday, May 11, 2019
Danny Greenblatt joined the Zhang lab as an REU intern. The Zhang Lab is excited to host Danny!
Time in the Zhang lab: May 2019-Aug 2019;
June 2019
Mugdha Sinha joined the Zhang lab as a STARS high school student. Mugdha was one of the top 10 finalists at the Academy of Science Honors Fair competition, and received a $1,000 scholarship!
May 2019
Bonnie Peccola joined the Zhang lab as a high school student. The Zhang Lab welcomes Bonnie!
Friday, August 03, 2018
Zhang lab REU student presents at REU symposium. Andrew Paton gives his REU presentation.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Highschool student, Varun Devraj, joins the lab. The Zhang lab welcomes Varun!
Monday, May 21, 2018
Andrew Paton joined the Zhang lab as an REU student. The Zhang lab welcomes its new member, Andrew!
Time in the Zhang lab: May 2018-Aug 2018;
Monday, April 30, 2018
High school student, Grace Conway, joins the lab. The Zhang lab is excited to host Grace!
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Ru Zhang gave a talk titled "Career as a plant scientist" at a local elementary school.
May 2017
James Eckhardt joined the Zhang Lab as an REU intern. The Zhang lab welcomes James!
Time in the Zhang lab: May 2017-Aug 2017;
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Ru participates in the 2017 Girls STEAM outreach program. Ru and her artwork from the 2017 Girls STEAM outreach program!