William J. Spencer, PhD
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
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Will grew up in South Carolina and has had a lifelong passion for science. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology and conducted undergraduate research on the role of the innate immune system during heart failure. Will earned his PhD from Duke University in 2017 working under the mentorship of Vadim Arshavsky to study photoreceptor cells. He continued working in Vadim’s lab as a postdoc and published papers about basic molecular mechanisms driving the morphogenesis of photoreceptor disc membranes. Next, he joined the faculty in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at SUNY Upstate Medical University in the fall of 2022. Outside of lab, Will enjoys playing racquet sports, fishing and spending time with his wife, two kids and sweet, but naughty dog named Millie.
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Samantha Thompson
POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE
PhD West Virginia University
Samantha completed her PhD studying rhodopsin mislocalization in rods. See her gorgeous microscopy in her June 2025 paper!
Samantha loves her American Bulldog named Marcus and her three cats, Akasha, Blair and Luna.
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Srijan Bhattacharya
PHD CANDIDATE
BS and MS in Microbiology from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, India
Srijan likes to travel, hike, explore new cafes and cuisines. He is also passionate about theatre and acting.
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David Ball
PHD CANDIDATE
BS in Biological Sciences from SUNY University at Buffalo
David likes cooking, D&D and video games.
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Lily Walker
PHD STUDENT
BS in Biochemistry from Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Lily loves to travel, try new restaurants with friends, and watch the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Ana Quispe
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN
BS in Biological Sciences from SUNY University at Buffalo
Ana loves traveling, listening to music, and watching the Celtics play.
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Nyaari Kothiya
MEDICAL STUDENT
BA in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Math from Hamilton College
Nyaari grew up in India and enjoys crocheting and knitting to destress. She also enjoys playing badminton!
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Nicholas Mecca
MEDICAL STUDENT
BS Colgate University
Nick is an avid rock climber and enjoys traveling and video games.
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Kenneth Garcia
MEDICAL STUDENT
BA in Neuroscience from Bowdoin College
Kenny enjoys playing with his cat and rock climbing.
garciken@upstate.edu -
Eleanor Hurst
MEDICAL STUDENT
BS/MD Environmental Health at SUNY ESF
Eleanor loves dogs, traveling and exploring new places, and ice skating
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Hailey Desai
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
Hailey is studying biology at Hamilton College. She loves hiking, painting and growing plants.
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Abi Handel
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
Abi is studying biology at Syracuse University in the Renee Crown Honors program. She loves being outside, traveling, painting and photography.
Past Lab Members
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Asil Bascal
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Rahul Shah
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
Rahul is studying Neuroscience and Psychology at Syracuse University. He enjoys playing tennis, traveling to new places, and music.
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Ayush Patel
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
Ayush is currently studying biology at Binghamton University. He enjoys photography, traveling and is an avid snowboarder.