Director of Presenters

Kayla is a second-year biology graduate student passionate about brining the world of science to the community. Kayla is in Dr. Taube’s Lab and studies breast cancer. She is intrested in understanding how the cell can modify DNA, without modifying the genomic sequence. Understanding epigenetic regulation provides insight on protein DNA interaction and the role of chromatin.

Director of Organizers

Lauren is a PhD student with the Trakselis Laboratory of DNA Replication and Repair.  As a biochemist, she focuses on the E. coli replisome to study the protein mechanisms involved in DNA replication. 

Presenter/Organizer

I’m a first year PhD student in the Trakselis lab. I’m currently working on RecFOR proteins in NER

Presenter

Melissa is a PhD candidate in the Chan Lab who studies quantum materials through synthesizing intermetallic solid state iron compounds. She joined PYPhD because she loves to share her passion for material science with her peers as well as mentoring younger students.

Organizer/Presenter

Madeline is a second year graduate student studying analytical chemistry in the Gallagher Lab.

Presenter

Jon is a 5th year PhD candidate in biology working with Dr. Christie Sayes to explore the affects of aerosol toxicants on pulmonary health.

Presenter

Colin is a second year graduate student in the Blair Lab. He does research in machine learning, quantum computing, and computer science. He is in PYPhD in order to improve his communication skills and to contribute to increasing scientific literacy and participation in STEM-based activities.

Presenter

Shaif is a third year graduate student studying computer science.

Presenter

Achini is a third year graduate student in the Trakselis Lab.

Organizer/Presenter

Chinthaka is a 1st year graduate student in the Shaw Lab. He is from Sri Lanka and really love chemistry!

Organizer/Presenter

Mayte is a PhD candidate in the Shaw Laboratory studying protein charges and electron transfer. She also works with the blind and visually impaired to make science more accessible.

Organizer

Travis is a 2nd year graduate student in the Shaw Lab studying electron transfer proteins like cytochrome c. Additionally, he works on making science accessible to the blind and visually impaired.

Presenter

Heidi is a PhD graduate student currently rotating in the Biology department. She is interested in genetics and vector biology. Both in her current research and in the future, Heidi is interested in the ways in which science can be used to alleviate disease. 

Organizer/Presenter

Isaac is a second year graduate student in the engineering department.

Organizer

Tatyana is currently a PhD graduate student working in Dr. Cheolho Sim’s lab. Her research is focused on studying the sex gene cascade of Culex mosquitoes, which are vectors of serious diseases such as the West Nile virus.

Organizer/Presenter

Duncan is a second year graduate student in the physics department specializing in material science using pulse laser deposition, nano magnetic structures, and laser spectroscopy. He is in the Ferroic Systems lab with Dr. Alan Farhan and the Materials in Extreme Environments lab with Dr. David Hilton.

Organizer

Lacy is a third year graduate student studying biology.

Organizer

Brooke is a PhD student working under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Trumble and Dr. Erich Baker. She studies epigenetics of aging in multiple species model, and has been an organizer with TBI for over two years!

Presenter

Geeth is a PhD student in physics. He studies black holes in the quantum gravity sector.

Presenter

Patrick is a Biology PhD student studying the interaction of anti-bacterial mechanisms with the gut microbiome. Currently, he works with the Kearney Lab, but would like to pursue a career in industry, translating science to communities where biotech is often misunderstood.

Organizer/Presenter

Paige is a second year graduate student studying anthropology.

Organizer

Mushafika is a second year masters student in the Statistical Sciences department. 

Presenter

Thushani is a second year biochemistry student in the Trakselis Lab.

Presenter

Chloë is currently a third year graduate student studying organic chemistry with the Kane Lab.

Presenter

Emily is a PhD student in the biology department working with Dr. Sarah Kienle. Emily is broadly interested in investigating the links between organisms’ physiological systems to larger ecological processes. Currently, she is studying ecophysiological traits of an Antarctic apex predator, the leopard seal.

Organizer

Colin is a second year PhD student in chemistry in the Trakselis Laboratory. My project is focused on elucidating the function(s) and roles of MCM8/9, the heterohexameric helicase complex found in higher eukaryotes.

Presenter

Liz is a PhD student in cellular, molecular, health, and disease biology studying an invasive mosquito in the Horn of Africa. She hopes to work at the CDC one day in infectious diseases and epidemiology.

Organizer

Paige is a PhD graduate student in the Psychology and Neuroscience program.  She is studying with Dr. Joaquin Lugo in a developmental neuroscience lab, and is currently investigating potential therapeutic dietary interventions in an epileptic mouse model.

Presenter

Malisha is a graduate student in the Trakselis Lab.

Organizer

Charli is a PhD graduate student currently rotating in the Biology department. She is interested in molecular biology and wants to help develop methods to fight disease.