Aram, originally from the (former) Soviet Union and raised in India, is now an Assistant Professor at NC State's Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. He specializes in insect gut microbiology, focusing on the coevolution of insects and their gut microbiomes. He is also co-chair of the Program Advisory Council of Experts at the World Bioprotection Forum. In this free time, he enjoys trailwalking, drawing and playing the bass.

Marllon earned his Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences in 2017 and a Master's degree in Ecology and Conservation in 2020, both from the State University of Paraíba-UEPB. His expertise spans entomology, ecology, and microbiology, with a particular focus on the relationship between termites and fungi. Currently, he is pursuing his doctorate under the supervision of Dr. Maria Avany Bezerra-Gusmão at the Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, co-supervised by Dr. J.J Lelis at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, and Dr. Aram Mikaelyan at North Carolina State University. His research delves into ecological studies in Brazil's semi-arid regions, exploring biodiversity and ecosystem functions, particularly through the interplay of fauna, soil, and plant relationships.

Haruka is a passionate naturalist and behavioral ecologist hailing from Japan! With a love for all things Blattodea, she has embarked on an epic journey into the origins of sociality in wood-feeding cockroaches! 

Mike is from Scranton, Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Virginia Military Institute - where he also earned a commission in the US Army. Mike’s passion for fungi began during his early teens. Foraging for mushrooms unleashed a world of potential for scientific inquiry. His interest in mycology led him to begin researching insect pathogenic fungi. In the Mikaelyan Lab, Mike is exploring the mind-controlling insect fungus called Entomophthora muscae, which infects and kills several Dipteran (fly) species, as a potential route for pest control. Outside of the lab, Mike enjoys training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, teaching about mycology, reading, and foraging for mushrooms.