About Us

Robert C. Orchard II, PhD

Robert C. Orchard II, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Immunology
Department of Microbiology
Nancy Cain and Jeffrey A. Marcus Scholar in Medical Research, in Honor of Dr. Bill S. Vow

Dr. Orchard received his B.S. in Microbiology from Texas A&M University and was an Undergraduate Research Scholar in the laboratory of Dr. Ryland Young characterizing novel bacteriophages.  He then earned his Ph.D. in the Molecular Microbiology Program at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in the laboratory of Dr. Neal Alto.  As a graduate student Rob investigated the spatial and temporal dynamics of secreted bacterial effector proteins and uncovered a sophisticated level of regulation in pathogenic signaling circuits.

After graduate school, Rob began a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Herbert “Skip” Virgin at Washington University School of Medicine.  There he leveraged CRISPR/Cas9 genome-wide screens to uncover host factors that regulate viral infection.  In particular, Rob discovered and characterized the first norovirus protein receptor, CD300lf.

In the summer of 2018, Rob came back to UTSW and joined the Department of Immunology as an Assistant Professor.  Rob is the recipient of the Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award, a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute of Health, and is an Endowed Scholar in Medical Science.

While Rob is not in lab he enjoys hitting the tennis court, baking new breads, and playing with his kids.

Linley Pierce

Linley Pierce

Lab Manager

Linley graduated in 2011 with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Abilene Christian University. She is an avid Texas Rangers, and baseball in general, fan. While not in lab, she is actively working visiting all 30 Major League ballparks! 

Brittany Stewart

Brittany Stewart

Graduate Student

Brittany graduated from Tarleton State University in 2017 with a B.S. in Biomedical Science. Brittany enjoys hiking with her dog Arlo, kayaking, running, and riding horses.

Mridula Annaswamy Srinivas

Mridula Annaswamy Srinivas

Graduate Student 

Mridula graduated from Ramaiah Institute of Technology with a B.E. in Biotechnology in 2018. Mridula enjoys exploring new places, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Stacey Crockett

Stacey Crockett

Graduate Student

Stacey is originally from Eugene, Oregon and got her B.S in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Belmont University in Nashville, TN in 2017. When not doing science or playing mom, Stacey likes to curl up in a chair with a blanket and a good book.

Moiz Munir

Moiz Munir

MSTP Graduate Student

Moiz graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in Biology in 2017. He was then a Fulbright Scholar in Malaysia before joining the MSTP program at UTSW. When he is not working or studying Moiz enjoys exercising, playing basketball, and trying new foods.

Mahmoud Soliman

Mahmoud Soliman, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Mahmoud received his master and Ph.D. in molecular virology from College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, South Korea. He spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Chonnam National University before joining the Orchard Lab. His research background mainly focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism of virus-host interaction. Mahmoud enjoys spending time with family and being outdoors in nature when he is not in the lab.

Mikayla Olson

Mikayla Olson

Research Technician

Mikayla graduated in 2022 from Baylor University with a B.S. in Biology. In her free time, she likes to attend concerts and music festivals, read, and pick up new crafts.

Lab Alumni

Aaron Embry

Aaron Embry

Graduate Student at UT Southwestern