Amali Samarasinghe, MS, PhD, ATSF
Principal Investigator 
Originally from Sri Lanka, Amali earned an AA in Biology from Pierce College, a BS in Biotechnology, and an MS in Neuroimmunology from California State University, Northridge, before moving to North Dakota to join her husband. She completed her PhD in Molecular Pathogenesis in Dr. Jane Schuh’s lab at North Dakota State University, studying neuroimmune involvement in fungal asthma. Her postdoctoral fellowship in Infectious Diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the laboratory of Dr. Jonathan McCullers set her on the path to investigate how respiratory viral and bacterial infections impact allergic asthma. After 12 years on the faculty of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, she moved her research program to UW–Madison in December 2024. She is passionate about mentoring scientists from diverse backgrounds and translating basic immunology into strategies to reduce the burden of asthma and lung disease. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their two Great Danes and reading.
Stephane Esnault, MS, PhD
Scientist-III
Stephane earned a master’s degree in microbiology from the University of Pharmacy, Paris-Sud, France, and a PhD in immunology from the University of Pharmacy, Reims, France in 1996. Then, he started as a postdoctoral researcher at UW-Madison in 1997, where he developed expertise in many facets of asthma research including the biology of human blood and airway eosinophils and their involvement in the immune response and lung remodeling.
For 10 years (1997-2008), he studied the intracellular pathways implicated in gene expression and protein synthesis in human eosinophils in Dr. James Malter Laboratory. In 2008-09, he worked as a Scientist in a pharmaceutical company where he explored new targets for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in the field of inflammation. In 2010, he returned to UW-Madison as a Scientist-III in the laboratory of Dr. Nizar Jarjour in the Allergy, Pulmonary Care, and Critical Care Section of the Department of Medicine. In this position, he assisted in the conceptual design and execution of studies to determine the contribution of eosinophils in asthma. In 2023, he received Emeritus status and Honorary appointment to continue his collaboration with his laboratory at UW-Madison while moving back to France where he was hired part-time at the University-Hospital of Lille to assist Drs. Guillaume Lefèvre, Delphine Staumont-Sallé, Geoffrey Mortuaire and Frédéric Dezoteux in their research focused on the roles of human eosinophils in type-2 diseases (asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, atopic dermatitis, etc..). In 2026, he is continuing his collaboration with UW-Madison as part of Dr. Amali Samarasinghe Laboratory. Several scientific publications have already emerged from the collaboration between Lille and Madison, starting with a publication in Allergy in 2025 where he described the production of oncostatin-M by eosinophils and its association with asthma severity (doi: 10.1111/all.16453). Among these collaborative and very recent publications with Dr. Amali Samarasinghe, he reported a specific human blood eosinophil phenotype during SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and they wrote several review articles on the roles of eosinophils in diseases (e.g., doi: 10.1093/jleuko/qiag025). He enjoys following sports (all kinds) and horse races (trotters), walking, biking, yoga, cooking and eating a lot of chocolate and pastries.
Molly Hellberg
Research Technician, Manager
Molly earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a certificate in Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. During her studies, she gained field research experience through study abroad programs in Belize, where she studied lionfish, and in Australia, where she researched zooplankton. Currently, her research focuses on using murine models to investigate how asthma protects against respiratory bacterial pathogens. In her free time, Molly enjoys attending concerts, traveling, and trying new foods.
Panisara Meechan, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
She earned her BSc in Genetics from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, and her MSc in Immunology from Mahidol University (Siriraj Hospital), where she trained under Professor Wanpen Chaicumpa and Dr. Nitat Sookrung and developed liposome-based allergen-specific immunotherapy strategies aimed at modulating type 2 immune responses. She completed her PhD in Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia, under the supervision of Dr. Hock L. Tay and Professor Paul S. Foster, where she developed and characterized a murine model of ryegrass-induced asthma exacerbation to investigate type 2 inflammatory mechanisms and evaluate therapeutic interventions. She then pursued postdoctoral training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, under the supervision of Professor Joshua A. Boyce, with co-mentorship from Dr. Daniel Dwyer, investigating the role of prostaglandin E₂ in human mast cell subsets in AERD and nasal polyp disease. Her current research builds upon her training in type 2 airway inflammation and extends to eosinophil biology and immune regulation in the context of respiratory infection. Outside of research, she enjoys walking in nature, strength training, Pilates, and cooking.
Jasmine Quah
PhD Student, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Jasmine Quah is a PhD student in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She began her research career in physical and inorganic chemistry, studying surfactant nanoparticles and nonlinear optical materials. After a brief period producing PET radiopharmaceuticals, she developed a strong interest in therapeutic development. Her current research focuses on the interplay between asthma and respiratory infections, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets. Outside of the lab, Jasmine enjoys video games, trivia nights, and riding her motorcycle.
Undergraduate Students
Samuel Sonsalla
Undergraduate Student, Biochemistry and Microbiology
Sam is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, pursuing a double major in Biochemistry and Microbiology. His research interests focus on elucidating molecular mechanisms and host-microbe interactions at the cellular and subcellular levels. Since joining the lab, Sam has conducted a comprehensive literature review examining the role of vitamin D in modulating gastrointestinal and pulmonary health. He is currently utilizing bioinformatics approaches to analyze transcriptomic data, comparing gene expression profiles between patient-derived samples and in vitro models. Outside of the lab, he enjoys golfing, following Wisconsin sports teams, and spending time with friends and family.
Elizabeth Sommar
Undergraduate Student, Biology
Elizabeth is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in biology. Through coursework in physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories, she has developed a foundation in experimental techniques and scientific problem-solving. She is currently interested in the interactions between eosinophils and other leukocytes in the pathophysiology of asthma. Outside the lab, Elizabeth enjoys reading, crocheting, and swimming.
Fahad Mian
Undergraduate Student, Biology
Fahad Mian is a 2nd year undergraduate majoring in Biology. He is currently involved in investigating the role of Insulin Growth Factor 1 during viral Influenza A viral infection. Outside of the lab he enjoys traveling, playing tennis or any racket sport, and cooking.
Suvarshini Reddy
Undergraduate Student, Biology
Varshini is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin Madison on a Pre-Medical track, majoring in Biology with a Certificate in Genetics in a Modern World. Outside the lab, she enjoys reading, traveling, tennis, baking and spending time with family and friends.
Former Lab Members
Lauren Kojo
High School Student
June 2025-September 2025