Dr. Tingting Gu is an environmental health scientist with training in cellular and molecular biology, specializing in advanced imaging and quantitative analysis to investigate how micro- and nanoplastics impact human health. She currently serves as Associate Director of the Advanced Light Microscopy Core at the University of Oklahoma’s Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory (SRNML), where she supports interdisciplinary research and develops innovative imaging workflows.

Her research focuses on understanding the distribution, transformation, and biological effects of microplastics in complex biological systems. Dr. Gu leverages ex vivo human organ perfusion models and multi-modal imaging, including advanced optical imaging platforms and electron microscopy, to study how environmental particles interact with tissues at cellular and subcellular scales. Her work integrates functional and molecular readouts, such as immune activation, metabolic reprogramming, and tissue injury responses, to uncover mechanisms linking environmental exposure to organ-level dysfunction.

In parallel, Dr. Gu develops computational pipelines and explores machine learning approaches for analyzing large-scale microscopic imaging datasets, enabling more precise detection, classification, and spatial mapping of microplastics in environmental and biological samples. Her work aims to bridge imaging-derived phenotypes with molecular signatures to advance a more integrated understanding of environmental toxicology.

Dr. Gu is the founder of the Clear Lab, an initiative dedicated to advancing microplastic research through standardized methodologies, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and public engagement. She has trained and mentored numerous students and researchers in microscopy and data analysis and has organized regional workshops to foster collaboration in this rapidly evolving field.

Her research program sits at the intersection of environmental exposure science, cellular and molecular biology, and imaging innovation, with the goal of translating mechanistic insights into actionable strategies for risk assessment, policy development, and public health protection.

Yan Cui is currently a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at University of Oklahoma. He received his Bachelor degree in Clinical Medicine from Zhejiang University, and his Master of Surgery from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He completedhis residency program at Jinshan Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University. His pastresearch focused on the application of biomaterials in trauma repair. His current research interest is organ ex-vivo perfusion,proteomics and microplastics in ex-vivo organs.

My name is Hamna Ali, and I am a PhD student in Biology at the University of Oklahoma, focusing on Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. I previously completed my BS in Zoology and an MPhil in Physiology. My research interests include molecular biology, human health, and environmental health. I am currently working in a microscopy laboratory at the University of Oklahoma, where I am developing my research skills and gaining experience with advanced microscopy techniques. As a graduate teaching assistant, I am also involved in teaching and supporting undergraduate biology students. I am interested in exploring how molecular and cellular processes contribute to human health and disease. My future career goal is to pursue a career in research and academia, contribute to meaningful scientific discoveries, and mentor future students.

Leena Ahmad is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Biology on the Pre-Medical track. She joined the lab as a Honors FYRE student in Spring 2025 and has remained involved since. She is currently working on a project to quantify and characterize microplastics in animal manure, with the goal of applying this work to broader research on human health. Fun fact: she hopes to become a cardiac anesthesiologist.

My name is Olivia Evans, and I am a junior majoring in Chemical Biosciences, minoring in Psychology and Women & Gender Studies. She joined Dr. Gu’s lab in Fall 2025. I am involved in the Henderson Scholars Program, the Withrow Leadership Scholars Program, Miracle Mindset, Mindful Impact, and work as a Peer Educator for the Office of Advocacy & Education. She is a recipient of the 2026 UReCA Summer Fellowship Grant, where her research focuses on investigating the presence of microplastic contamination in the tubarial gland and identifying standardized methodologies for studying microplastics in human tissues. My future goals are to one day become a physician.

My name is Keianna Taheri. I am a Psychology major, minoring in Biology and Spanish on the Pre-Med track. Outside of my studies, I’m involved in on campus organizations such as Bridge to Health, Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness program, Asian Americans in Creative Spaces, Hacklahoma, MHSC, and more! Additionally, I work as a Medical Assistant and intern for the OU Medical Center. My current project investigates the application of Nile Red fluorescence as a high-throughput microplastic identification method on environmental samples. I examine patterns within fluorescent spectra of stained plastics, validating consistent emission color and intensity patterns across low-density environmental samples through Raman Spectroscopy. This work is done with the goal of establishing a standardized, accessible, section methodology within our field. As I continue my education, I work towards becoming a physician that works with underserved and marginalized patient populations, with a focus on patient advocacy and community education. Through researching microplastics, I hope to contribute to the science that empowers our local communities with the knowledge of their adverse effects.

Mandy Tang is a current undergraduate sophomore at the University of Oklahoma. Majoring in biology, she hopes to study cells and investigate multiple types of cancer in order to find a solution for cancer patients. She hopes to find a way to stop DNA damage over time and increase humanity’s lifespan. In her free time she likes to draw.

Emily Albert is a class of 2027 undergraduate pursuing a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Her interests include cell biology, epigenetics, microscopy, and immunology. Having joined Clear Lab in Fall 2026, she is currently building microtomy and sample preparation skills. She looks forward to learning more imaging skills and techniques specific to microplastic contamination. In the future she would like to work as a lab technician studying genetics, epigenetics, autoimmune disorders, or immunology.