Our Executive Team

A team of scientists with a passion for scientific outreach

 

Reagan Bullins Shugg

Social Media & Website Coordinator (Spring 2022 – ongoing)

Neuroscience

As a researcher…
I focus on understanding how the brain produces skilled movement behaviors. Skilled behaviors (such as playing a musical instrument or performing a tennis serve) are learned over time and require the activity of specific brain regions and groups of cells. In my research, I look at how varying groups of cells contribute to different aspects of movement behaviors.

I appreciate science because…
I am constantly learning and adjusting my perspective. I enjoy the creative process of adapting my ideas to incorporate new knowledge & coming up with ways to probe them.

My favorite dessert is…
Chocolate ice cream with Reese’s

My favorite hobby is…
Rock climbing & finding new coffee shops!

Katherine Degner

Administrative Coordinator (Spring 2023 – ongoing)

Neuroscience

As a researcher…
I research how variations in the non-coding genome (which is 98% of your genome!) contribute to risk for psychiatric disorders, especially substance use disorders. My main goal is help identify people at risk for psychiatric disorders based on their genomic profile.

I appreciate science because…
I really enjoy the collaborative nature of science, especially at UNC. People study really specific topics, so we all have to work together to figure out the big picture.

My favorite dessert is…
My mom’s cream cheese pound cake

My favorite hobby is…
I generally like to workout but my favorite is to take long walks outside during the spring season

Gracie Clark

Student Coordinator (Fall 2023 – ongoing)

Biochemistry and Pathology

As a researcher…
My lab studies fibrinogen – fibrinogen is a protein that circulates in your bloodstream, and can be converted to fibrin, which then polymerizes into a “mesh” that helps your blood form a clot. My work in the lab focuses on the roles of fibrinogen during a bacterial infection – sometimes the fibrinogen helps the host, and sometimes it helps the bacteria. We want to better understand the interactions between the bacteria and the host fibrinogen, so that eventually we can create better treatment options for these types of infections!

I appreciate science because…

I love that I get to learn cool new things all the time, and that there’s always something new and interesting happening in lab – and I love getting to take a closer look at how the world works!

My favorite dessert is…
Carrot cake!

My favorite hobby is…
Gardening and spending time outside!

Ethan Madden

Treasurer (Fall 2023 – ongoing)

Molecular Biology

As a researcher…
I’m interested in how information within the nucleus is accessed. Specifically, I use yeast metabolism to study how different genes are turned on and off!

I appreciate science because…
I love getting new data, and being the first person in history to see that (very) specific thing!

My favorite dessert is…
I love key lime pie

My favorite hobby is…
I’m a fan of hiking and trying new restaurants!

Sara Peterson

Volunteer Coordinator (Fall 2025 – ongoing)

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

As a researcher…
I develop and apply computational methods to analyze single-molecule and single-cell sequencing data to understand both how fusion-driven cancers become dysregulated and how this dysregulation affects cellular behavior across the genome, epigenome, and transcriptome. My work integrates multiple genome-wide data types to uncover how these alterations drive cancer development and progression.

I appreciate science because…
It is truly a team sport! I love working on teams and collaborating with people with entirely different expertise from me. The opportunity to continue to learn and grow everyday is incredible!

My favorite dessert is…
Frozen custard

My favorite hobby is…
Hiking, camping, kayaking, hammocking – basically any outside activity!

Rachel Szymanski

Social Media & Website Coordinator (Fall 2025 – ongoing)

Genetics and Molecular Biology

As a researcher…
I study how the heart develops. I’m interesting in learning how specific genes contribute to heart development and how disruptions to those genes can lead to heart birth defects. Specifically, I research genes that are involved in cardiac muscle cell (cardiomyocyte) development.

I appreciate science because…
You are constantly learning something new! Every experiment tells you something you didn’t know before (even if it didn’t work!).

My favorite dessert is…
Ice cream

My favorite hobby is…
Hiking/a good walk outside and playing with my cats

Our Executive Team Alumni

Abigail Ballard

Student Coordinator (Fall 2020 – Spring 2024)

Biochemistry

As a researcher…
I study platelets which are a component of blood that prevent bleeding. We aim to understand how platelet activation is regulated to better inform patient care.

I appreciate science because…
I most enjoy the excitement of learning new things every day.

My favorite dessert is…
Chocolate chip cookies

My favorite hobby is…
I enjoy running and crocheting.