IDI Trainee Association Leadership

IDI Trainee Association Leadership represents the diverse voices of trainees across disciplines, fostering professional development, networking, and advocacy within the infectious disease research community at Ohio State.

Trainee Leadership

Learn more about IDI-TA Officer Roles and Responsibilities

Christoph Weigel

IDI-TA Leadership Position: President

Research focus: Viral oncogenesis, immunology, viral epigenomics, viral genomics
Background: Born and raised in Heidelberg, Germany
Education: Received Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) with training in pharmacy
Outside of work: Gardening

Alok Dhakal

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Vice President

Research focus: Infectious diseases of food animals
Background: Born and raised in Nepal
Education: Received Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Tribhuvan University
Outside of work: Listening to Nepali songs, watching movies

Thamonpan Laocharoensuk

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Treasurer

Research focus: Host–pathogen interactions, with a focus on emerging and re-emerging enteric coronaviruses in swine, and identification of host dependency factors for viral infections using genetic screening approaches
Background: Born and raised in Narathiwat, Thailand
Education: Received Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Kasetsart University, Thailand
Outside of work: Playing video games, watching anime and cooking new recipes

Jovanna Fusco

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Graduate/Professional Student Representative

Research focus: Zoonotic diseases, particular viruses, and how they can adapt to new host species and pose a risk to both humans and animals.
Background: Born and raised in Long Island, New York
Education: Received Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and technology from University of Rhode Island
Outside of work: Spending time outdoors, running and biking, and baking or cooking for friends and family

Glad Mopiwa

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Graduate/Professional Student Representative

Research focus: TB, HIV, Malaria, Epidemiology
Background: Born and raised in Blantyre City, Malawi, Africa
Education: Received Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS)
Outside of work: Reading novels, listening to music, exploring new environments

Stephanie Stamp Wberth

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Graduate/Professional Student Representative

Research focus: Viromics and metatranscriptomics
Background: Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia
Education: Received chemical engineering degree from Universidad de La Sabana
Outside of work: Reading, whittling, playing the guitar and watching sports

Tony Stabile

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Undergraduate Student Representative

Research focus: Treatment and/or eradication of planktonic cells and biofilms with antibiotics and bacteriophages, and data analytics
Background: Born and raised in Medina, Ohio
Education: Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in microbiology at The Ohio State University
Outside of work: Mountain bike, frisbee golf, playing the trumpet, and spending time with family

Menuka Bhandari

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Employee Representative

Research focus: Foodborne pathogen genomics, antimicrobial resistance, epidemiology, evolutionary dynamics
Background: Born and raised in Nepal
Education: Received Received Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from The Ohio State University (Department of Animal Sciences)
Outside of work: Playing sports such as badminton, cricket, and volleyball. Outside of sports, enjoys cooking and exploring nature through hiking.

Abhijith Anil

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Networking and Professional Development Officer

Research focus: Transmission and pathogenesis of avian metapneumovirus
Background: Born and raised in Kerala, India
Education: Received Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (BVSC&AH) degree from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Outside of work: Soccer and cricket

Keiana Briscoe

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Networking and Professional Development Officer

Research focus: West Nile virus prevalence and mosquito-transmitted diseases
Background: Born and raised in Fairborn, Ohio
Education: Received Bachelor of Science degree in general biology from Central State University
Outside of work: Live music and reading

Raksha Suresh

IDI-TA Leadership Position: Community Outreach Officer

Research focus: Mucosal vaccine research, Salmonellosis in chickens
Background: Born and raised in Southern India
Education: Received Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from Karnataka Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Master of Veterinary Pathology degree from Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Outside of work: Enjoys cooking and nature