Principal Investigator

Manuel Giannoni-Guzmán, PhD

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I am a neurophysiologist and chronobiologist interested in how circadian rhythms shape social behavior and resilience in honey bees. My lab studies the neural, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that regulate temporal organization, with a focus on how environmental stressors and genetic variation influence bee behavior, memory, and health.

We use approaches from neurophysiology, molecular genetics, transcriptomics, and behavioral assays to investigate how circadian clocks function in the bee brain, how they support complex collective behaviors, and how environmental changes alter clock function and behavior.

Outside the lab, I enjoy weightlifting, scuba diving, and playing card, video, and board games.

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Graduate Researchers

Jocelyn Bransford

I am a biologist interested in the intersection of neuroscience and computation. My previous work has focused on studying Drosophila neurophysiology while building tools for image analysis and data handling, primarily using python and FIJI. I enjoy combining experimental and computational approaches to explore how nervous systems function.
In my early twenties I pursued a degree in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I was reminded quickly that STEM is my real passion! Skip a few years, and now I’m doing what I love, looking to start pursuing a PhD in the Spring of 2026.

I have a cat, a dog, a life partner of 10 years (Going on 11), and I also enjoy playing card, video, and board games. I also have a large collection of insects, and enjoy eating when I remember to.

Researchers

Mckenna Layman

I am an undergraduate at MTSU currently studying Biochemistry and working as a Learners Assistant for the school. Upon graduating in the Spring of 2027, I hope to begin work as a crime lab technician and work my way towards a job in behavioral analysis studying crime and its lasting physiological and psychological effect on human populations. This lab will present me with the opportunity to get introduced to behavior research, and I am very excited to see where our research brings us.

Outside of academics, I am proud to say that I am the president of the MTSU Women’s Rugby team, and that our team has grown immensely in both skill and numbers since it was reinstated as a club at the school in the Fall of 2023. I took over the team in the Fall of 2024 and have remained president since. Other than sports, I spend a lot of my time reading a range of fiction books, watching TV and analyzing the characters, and doing different crafts such as crochet or painting. I am also a big animal lover and have two rescue cats of my own.

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Shania Sikes

I graduated from MTSU in December 2025 with a degree in Allied Health Science, where I became really interested in anatomy, physiology, immunology, and how different biological systems work together to influence health. Before joining the lab, I worked as a medical assistant in a cardiology office, which gave me valuable hands-on experience and confirmed my long-term goal of going to medical school, with particular interests in cardiology and emergency medicine. I am also in the process of becoming an EMT to support my medical school goals, and I am very excited about this next step.

Outside of academics, I enjoy singing, dancing, reading, and keeping up with different TV series. I am a big fan of Marvel and superhero movies and can talk about them for hours. When I am not doing that, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and finding small new things to learn or try. I am excited to be part of the lab and continue growing as a student and future healthcare professional

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Sandy Abdo

I am a junior at MTSU, majoring in Biology with a Physiology concentration. After undergrad, I plan to pursue optometry. I've always been interested in the brain and how powerful it is, which is why I joined this lab! I worked in another lab in a previous semester and look forward to seeing what new skills I can learn and what new challenges will come with this one!

Outside of school, my hobbies are mainly reading (mainly fantasy and historical fiction) and video games!

Rawda Ikbariah

I am an undergraduate student at MTSU majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Neuroscience, with a long-term goal of pursuing medical school. Building on my ongoing research experience in medicinal chemistry, where I worked on synthesizing compounds that inhibit tubulin polymerization, a process that leads to uncontrolled cell division and potentially cancer, I am also interested in circadian biology and neural mechanisms that affect behavior. I aim to gain the skills and knowledge that will help me pursue medical school and bring me step closer to a career in neuro-oncology.

In my free time, I like to spend time with my family and cat, as well as baking, exploring new restaurants, traveling, and learning tennis. I am also a fan of Formula 1 racing and enjoy learning about cars. I aim to combine my curiosity with my passion for learning both in and out of the lab.

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Noor Obeissy

I graduated with a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Physiology in Fall 2025. My academic interests focus on physiology and neuroscience, particularly neurophysiology and how neural systems regulate behavior and adapt to internal and external cues, including circadian processes. I am especially interested in how research in these areas can inform clinical understanding of movement and function. I aim to build a strong foundation in neuroscience and physiology and apply this knowledge in my future studies in physical therapy school.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family, as well as my two cats. Another hobby of mine is traveling, I usually spend my summers abroad, and I hope to see more of the world someday!

Insect Specialist/Technician

Jack Huckabay

I am the insect specialist in The Bee Lab at MTSU, with a lifelong passion for entomology and a strong interest in how insect behavior is shaped by biology and the environment. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Science from MTSU, which gave me a solid foundation in ecology, plant–insect interactions, and the systems that support pollinator health.

As a beekeeper, I have developed hands-on experience working with honey bees and have gained research experience studying insect behavior, with a particular focus on social insects and how they communicate, organize, and respond to challenges. I joined this lab because I’m excited to combine my background in insect biology with neuroscience-based research to better understand the mechanisms that influence bee behavior, learning, and overall colony health.

Outside of the lab, you can usually find me hiking, reading, or spending time rearing insects and learning more about their behavior.