William J. Spencer, PhD

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

SUNY Upstate Medical University

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

SpencerW@upstate.edu

  • 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.

  • 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.

    bhattasr@upstate.edu

  • David Ball

    PHD CANDIDATE

    BS in Biological Sciences from SUNY University at Buffalo

    David likes cooking, D&D and video games.

    ballda@upstate.edu

  • Ana Quispe

    RESEARCH TECHNICIAN

    BS in Biological Sciences from SUNY University at Buffalo

    Ana loves traveling, listening to music, and watching the Celtics play.

    quispea@upstate.edu

  • Erinn Leatherman

    RESEARCH TECHNICIAN

    BS from Syracuse University

    leathere@upstate.edu

  • Nyaari Kothiya

    MEDICAL STUDENT

    BA in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Math

    Nyaari grew up in India and enjoys crocheting and knitting to destress. She also enjoys playing badminton!

  • Nicholas Mecca

    MEDICAL STUDENT

    BS Colgate University

    Nick is an avid rock climber and enjoys traveling and video games.

    meccan@upstate.edu

  • Asil Bascal

    UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

    Asil enjoys making her morning iced coffee and photography.

    bascala@upstate.edu

  • Rahul Shah

    UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

    Rahul is studying Neuroscience and Psychology at Syracuse University. He enjoys playing tennis, traveling to new places, and music.

    shahrah@upstate.edu