Our QCB training program now features 21 current students in training in 17 different QCB trainer laboratories, working toward Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology.
Kristen Alanis
My research focuses on understanding and mimicking cellular communication through ion channels.
Fun Fact: I have run two half marathons.
Degree Program: Chemistry
Lab: Baker
Undergrad Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Emily Erdmann
My research focuses on the role of ADARs (Adenosine Deaminases that Act on RNA) and Adenosine-to-Inosine RNA editing in the germline of C. elegans.
Fun Fact: I love cooking and baking.
Degree Program: Biology
Lab: Hundley
Undergrad Institution: Illinois Wesleyan University
Abigail Garrett
My research focuses on the intersection of metabolism and cell wall synthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Fun Fact: I have climbed Mt. Fuji and have danced for 20+ years.
Degree Program: Microbiology
Lab: Winkler
Undergrad Institution: Bucknell University
Allan Gramillo
My research focuses on investigating the phosphate starvation response and its role on biofilm formation in the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumafaciens.
Fun Fact: I started the wave at Dodger stadium.
Degree Program: Microbiology
Lab: Fuqua
Undergrad Institution: California State University - LA
Jessie Gudorf
My research focuses on the synthesis of a small molecule library to aid in computational modeling for drug design.
Fun Fact: I love dogs.
Degree Program: Chemistry
Lab: VanNieuwenhze
Undergrad Institution: University of Southern Indiana
Kelly Hartsough
My research focuses on polyploid contributions to genome instability.
Fun Fact: I have been running track for 10 years and now do marathons.
Degree Program: Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology
Lab: Walczak
Undergrad Institution: Penn State
Matthew Jordan
My research focuses on investigating metallochaperones in s. aureus.
Fun Fact: I am a nephew of both Michael Jordan and J. Cole.
Degree Program: Biochemistry
Lab: Giedroc
Undergrad Institution: Manchester University
Ria Kidner
My research focuses on cell signaling mechanisms in the unicellular protozoan Capsaspora owczarzaki and its link to the parasitic disease schistosomiasis.
Fun Fact: I love rock hounding and lapidary.
Degree Program: Chemistry
Lab: Gerdt
Undergrad Institution: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Renee Kinne
My research focuses on the role of phase separation and disordered domains in oncogenic transcriptional co-activators.
Fun Fact: My favorite movie is Shrek
Degree Program: Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology
Lab: Hollenhorst
Undergrad Institution: Michigan State University
Lily Klapper
My research focuses on the synthesis of biologically relevant molecules.
Fun Fact: I've played ice hockey since I was 4 years old.
Degree Program: Chemistry
Lab: VanNieuwenhze
Undergrad Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Patrick Laughlin
My research focuses on the structure and assembly of SARS-Cov-2 Nucleocapsid protein.
Fun Fact: I love skiing, gardening, and birdwatching.
Degree Program: Biochemistry
Lab: Zlotnick
Undergrad Institution: Indiana University Bloomington
Averi McFarland
My research focuses on protein interactions, structure-function, and dynamics necessary for cell wall synthesis in the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Fun Fact: I had a dislocated clavicle for 5 months that was repositioned using a cadaver ligament. I have yet to break a bone though.
Degree Program: Microbiology
Lab: Winkler
Undergrad Institution: Idaho State University
Morgan Nyman
My research focuses on developing and understanding cancer therapeutics that specifically target diseased tissue inhibiting one-carbon metabolism, and more specifically purine synthesis pathway, within the cell.
Fun Fact: I am a big fan of Jurassic Park.
Degree Program: Chemistry
Lab: Dann
Undergrad Institution: Gannon University
Brigham Pope
My research focuses on creating optical traps inside microfluidic devices and using them for bio-particle trapping, sorting, and directing. We hypothesize that we can create these optical traps using extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) through subwavelength apertures in a metal film.
Fun Fact: I love to cook for my wife and daughter. It's like chemistry I can eat. I grew up watching cooking shows that focus on the science behind food and cooking. So if this Ph.D. doesn't work out, look for me on Iron Chef.
Degree Program: Chemistry
Lab: Jacobson
Undergrad Institution: Brigham Young University
Hunter Richman
My research focuses on macrophage phagosome maturation.
Fun Fact: I play Magic the Gathering
Degree Program: Materials Chemistry
Lab: Yu
Undergrad Institution: Indiana University - South Bend
Caitlin Roof
My research focuses on the utilization of a tryptophan repressor (TrpR) biosensor that generates green fluorescence protein (GFP) in response to halogenated tryptophan that allows me to detect improved catalytic activity in the directed evolution of Flavin Dependent Halogenases.
Fun Fact: I have two sons who were born over a decade apart.
Degree Program: Analytical Chemistry
Lab: Lewis
Undergrad Institution: Indiana University
Austin Tedman
My research focuses on protein quality control mechanisms.
Fun Fact: Folk Punk and forest walks for life!
Degree Program: Biochemistry
Lab: Schlebach
Undergrad Institution: University of California LA
Yasmine Zubi
My research focuses on engineering and characterizing artificial metalloenzymes.
Fun Fact: I've played French Horn for over 10 years.
Degree Program: Chemistry
Lab: Lewis
Undergrad Institution: University of Virginia