When 2020 brought a lot of uncertainty, the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 brought change. Linda Hurt moved positions to manage financial operations after Andrew Johnstone retired, and Melissa Evers was promoted to Linda’s former role. Mandy Zinke joined the accounting group after Teresa Adam retired. Amanda Ismail moved to a position at WUSM, and Jamie Mullin was accepted to be the next Administrative Assistant to the Chair. Instead of hiring externally, we did the Biology shuffle and filled four positions with our staff members who have proven their dedication to this department over the years. But we recognize how confusing this may be for some of our department members. Biology’s communication team sat down with our promoted staff members to discuss their new roles.

Linda Hurt | from Accounting Manager to Manager of Financial Operations

Linda Hurt joined WashU and Biology in April 2005. She moved from Accounting Manager to Manager of Financial Operations in January 2022. She is looking forward to making everyone feel appreciated for their hard work. Linda has many goals she hopes to accomplish this year, pointing out that she has some ideas of how she can change things for Biology for the better. She looks forward to making those ideas come to fruition. One of her ideas that she recently accomplished was promoting Melissa Evers to Accounting Manager. Linda is currently working in person two days a week and can come in any time if needed. She has an open-door policy, and her goal is to try to solve the problems that come through her door. She wants faculty and staff to know they can meet with her about any issues.

When asked how she feels about working in Biology, Linda was quick with her praise. “Biology is a place where you can be proud to work and proud of the department’s accomplishments. From the faculty to every staff member, I brag on everybody because I truly believe we are the best department at WashU.” When she isn’t working, Linda enjoys Sunday walks with her husband and their puppy. She has a new four-month-old grandson to love, and her younger daughter will be getting married soon. She enjoys her family, puzzles, and the zoo!

Melissa Evers | from Senior Grant Specialist and Compliance Auditor to Accounting Supervisor

Melissa Evers joined the university in September 2001 as an Effort Coordinator in Sponsored Projects Accounting in the Central Post-Award Grant Office. In her most recent position in Biology, she was the Senior Grant Specialist and Compliance Auditor and was promoted to her role early this year. She began as Accounting Supervisor in February 2022. In her new role, she looks forward to being more directly involved with decision-making and policy/procedure updates. She also is looking forward to interacting in person. When asked what she hopes to accomplish in her new role in the next year, she commented that “there are several changes we have discussed making and are concentrating on keeping things moving in a positive and more proactive way.” Melissa has an open communication style and prefers email so she can provide a timely response. She is looking forward to a hybrid office environment, where she plans to keep in-person office hours one or two days a week.

It will come as no surprise to most who know Melissa that when asked about herself, she said she finds it difficult to disconnect from work. A memory she shared from her last 12-day vacation in the middle of the ocean involved her caving into checking emails in the last few days of the trip. She blames empty nest syndrome for her challenges with unplugging from work. Because all her children are grown adults now, and her house is empty, she admits that avoiding boredom may contribute to her strong work ethic. Nevertheless, unplugging is necessary, and her personal goal is to try harder to take breaks.

Melissa’s former role has not been filled yet.

Mandy Zinke | from Biology Administrative Assistant to Contract and Grant Coordinator

Amanda (Mandy) Zinke joined Biology in August 2019. In May 2021, she transitioned to the accounting team as Contract and Grant Coordinator. She has enjoyed learning about a different side of the university and how the grant world operates. She has enjoyed working with faculty in a new capacity, too. She also expressed gratitude for the accounting team; they have been extremely patient and supportive during her transition and provided her with the training to succeed. Her goal this year is to keep learning how to do her job well and better. She also hopes to take an accounting course through University College. Mandy is currently working from home. She is available through email and Teams and is happy to accommodate other communication preferences.

Anyone who remembers stopping by Wilson when Mandy served as the Biology Administrative Assistant knows Mandy has a talent for decorating and making an office feel welcoming. Because her transition to accounting happened during COVID, she has not yet had a chance to decorate her new space in the accounting office. She looks forward to doing that one day. She also enjoys trying new restaurants with her family and exploring the outdoors on their new side-by-side.

Shelly Lohr joined the department as the new Biology Administrative Assistant.

Jamie Mullin | from Purchasing and Receiving Assistant, Stockroom to Administrative Assistant to the Chair

Jamie Mullin joined Biology in November 2018 as a Purchasing and Receiving Assistant. He moved into his new role as Administrative Assistant to the Chair at the beginning of February. In his new role, Jamie is looking forward to expanding his skill set and overall knowledge of the position. This first year will be a learning year as he familiarizes himself with his new responsibilities. He is also excited to be working closely with the chair and implementing new ideas. In his new role, Jamie hopes to bring Biology members closer together and help them feel comfortable approaching and engaging with the chair on any topic.

Jamie can always be contacted via email, but he is working full time in the office and goes with the flow when it comes to communication. Biology members should feel free to stop him in the hall or pop into his office when they have a need. When he is not in the office or answering emails, Jamie loves to travel and spend time close to the ocean. He is currently looking into becoming scuba certified. He is also interested in marine life, so interested that you might find a saltwater fish tank in the chair’s suite soon.    

Jamie’s former role in the stockroom has not been filled yet.

The biology department also welcomes our newest members:

Shelly Lohr | Biology Administrative Assistant

Corey Westfall | Lecturer

Janet Goins | Lecturer and Coordinator of Undergraduate Research Experiences

Jennifer Wang | Staff Scientist (Assistant Professor starting July 1)

B. Duygu Özpolat | Staff Scientist (Assistant Professor starting July 1)

Kiersten Youngquist | Research/Lab Technician II

Jamie MacKinnon | Research/Lab Technician II

Bria Metzger | Research/Lab Technician II

Joshua Moyer | Research Assistant

Han Yu | Research/Lab Technician

James McGregor | Postdoctoral Research Associate

Keenan Ronayne | Research/Lab Technician II

Victor Lasenhinde | Research/Lab Technician II

Jessica Aline Sousa Barros | Postdoctoral Research Associate

Fabio Henrique Kuriki Mendes | Postdoctoral Research Associate

Hana Zand Karimi | Postdoctoral Research Associate

Vivek Ambastha | Staff Scientist

Nanjaraj Urs Ankanahalli Nanjaraje Urs | Postdoctoral Research Associate

Rannyele Passos Ribeiro | Postdoctoral Research Associate

Rupal Singh Tomar | Postdoctoral Research Associate

Jeremy Morris | Postdoctoral Research Associate