Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences
Hulali
Molecular Cell Biologist
As a researcher…
I study cell adhesion (AKA: how cells communicate with one another and orient themselves in one direction).
I love my laboratory because…
I get to use a confocal microscope that allows me to take beautiful pictures of my embryos!
I was born and raised in…
O’ahu, Hawaii and I have never seen snow!
Hawa
Chemist
As a researcher…
I use synthetic organic chemistry to build complex and industrially useful molecules.
I appreciate science because…
It explains the world around me and is necessary for daily life!
My favorite dessert is…
Cheesecake ice cream!
I can speak…
French & Bambara & English
Catherine
Bio-roboticist & Marine Scientist
As a researcher…
I build robots to study how various animals (like sea turtles and pigeons) navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field. Sometimes these are physical robots, sometimes computer simulations.
I love my laboratory because…
I’ve gone back and forth between biology and engineering for most of my life, and this lab lets me play with both.
My favorite animated movie is…
Laputa!
I can speak…
Mandarin Chinese & English
Timothy
Molecular & Cellular Biochemist
As a researcher…
I want to understand how cells decide what they want to be when they grow up. I make specific parts of them glow and then watch them under a microscope as they morph and change into different kinds of cells.
I appreciate science because…
I really love figuring out how things work. I have always been amazed how all of these individual parts come together to make a living organism!
When I was younger…
I once lived in a mud hut while working on a farm in southern Mexico!
I can speak…
Spanish & English
Eliza
Geneticist & Molecular Biologist
As a researcher…
I study the way that DNA is organized in cells. If you imagine your DNA as a big bowl of spaghetti, you’d think that which noodles make contact is random, but it’s actually really important! Which pieces of DNA make contact is important for the way that cells develop and function. Right now, we are interested in how outside information (like signals) can change the way that DNA is organized in the nucleus.
Science influences my life because…
I am constantly learning about myself, others, and the outside world!
My favorite dessert is…
Cheesecake (or chocolate cake)!
Brian
Behavior Ecologist
As a researcher…
I study the evolution and ecology of behavior, especially social and mating behavior. I use mathematical models to answer broad and general questions about how evolution and ecology works (such as why organisms cooperate).
I appreciate science because…
Science allows me to learn something new, not just to me, but to society. Studying science allows me to make a career out of my curiosity.
I’ve been to…
9 different countries!
Markia
Computational Cancer Geneticist
As a researcher…
My work is primarily in the cancer biology field and combines a multidisciplinary approach to create new cancer therapies. I study the genetics and biology of tumors and the immune system to develop new cancer treatments.
Science influences my life because…
I am fascinated by the many facets of science and the impact science advancements have made. I aim to be apart of this impact!
My favorite animated movie is…
Mulan!
Shveta
Neuroscientist
As a researcher…
I study how long-term opioid use and withdrawal affect the brain’s immune system!
I appreciate science because…
I love learning. With science, you can never know everything — there is always something more to learn or discover!
My favorite animated movie is…
The Lion King!
Keean
Computational Biologist & Molecular Biochemist
As a researcher…
I study how RNA molecules regulate processes in the nucleus.
I appreciate science because…
It provides a never-ending adventure of discovering unknown things, specifically the basic biology of life!
In my free time…
I enjoy solo traveling to foreign countries and learning languages. So far, I’ve been to France, Japan, Iceland, Canada, and Switzerland. As for languages, I am actively learning French, Japanese, and German!
I can speak…
French & English
Laura
Cell Biologist & Physiologist
As a researcher…
I study how brain cells grow and make connections with each other.
I appreciate science because…
Every day is different! We constantly ask new questions about how the cells in our body work!
In my free time…
I love to hike and spend time outside!
Tessa-Jonne
Auditory Neuroscientist
As a researcher…
I study how the hearing brain reorganizes after injury- like sound exposure- or in response to neuropsychiatric disorder.
I appreciate science because…
What can be better than searching for answers that no one has answered before?
My favorite animated movie is…
Moana!
Adam
Biological chemist
As a researcher…
I study how microorganisms make natural products, like antibiotics, and how those antibiotics work.
Science influences my life because…
It gives me a direction, it provides a rational way of viewing the world, and it captures my imagination!
In my free time…
I like playing classical piano and indoor rock climbing!
Katie
Biological Chemist
As a researcher…
I study natural products, which are molecules produced by bacteria such as antibiotics (molecules bacteria use to fight each other) and signaling molecules (molecules bacteria use to talk to each other). I want to discover new natural products and figure out how they are made by enzyme assembly lines.
Science influences my life because…
Science teaches me to love data and to approach other areas of my life scientifically – observing, taking notes, collecting data!
I have a pet…
Rabbit named Leo! He’s a brown, fuzzy Lionhead bunny!
Juanita
Cell Cycle Biochemist & Pharmacologist
As a researcher…
I study how cells copy their DNA. In particular, I am interested in discovering the differences between how normal cells and cancer cells copy their DNA during different cell cycle phases.
Science influences my life because…
I have many family members affected by cancer. I want to better understand how cancer hijacks the cell cycle.
When I was younger…
I served in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua as a Community Health Education Volunteer and lived in a site with no running water nor electricity for almost 3 years. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done and I would do it all over again if I could!
I can speak…
Spanish & English
Daniel
Chemist & Cell Biologist
As a researcher…
I hope to develop an application of nanoelectrodes for probing electrically active molecules. Using this, I hope to make direct measurements of biological pathways in organelles and also characterize highly reactive molecules by confining them to a small volume.
I appreciate science because…
Science provides me with an intriguing puzzle of constant learning. It is so expansive that I know I will never grow bored of my investigations as new facets constantly arise!
In my free time…
I am very interested in poetry and developing my ability to evoke emotion through language!
