Kaitlyn studies the role of dosage compensation in development and aging, as well as how genome activation (GA)-binding transcription factor protein occupancy may affect DNA conformation and gene expression. Her mentor is Erica Larschan, PhD.

Hannah Hoff, Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Graduate Program. Hannah studies the causes and consequences of large herbivore (e.g., bison, elk) foraging decisions at Yellowstone National Park. Her mentor is Tyler Kartzinel, PhD.

Maxfield Kelsey, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Graduate Program. Maxfield uses long-read sequencing to develop computational methods to understand how retrotransposons, virus-like sequences that make up nearly half of the human genome, impact disease and aging. His mentor is John Sedivy, PhD. 

Alexa Knight, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Graduate Program. Alexa is investigating the inhibitory mechanism of an anti-CRISPR protein on a thermophilic, heat tolerant, Cas9, with a dual interest in elucidating the biological context of their interaction and exploring how we might leverage the inhibitory characteristics of anti-CRISPRs as a molecular editing tool. Her mentor is George Lisi, PhD.

Melanie Martinsen, Pathobiology Graduate Program. Melanie is developing neutrophil progenitors as an “off-the-shelf” cellular therapy to provide temporary immune defense in immunocompromised hosts. Her mentor is Craig Lefort, PhD.

Makayla Pardo, Pathobiology Graduate Program. Makayla studies the influence of the bone marrow microenvironment on treatment response and resistance in acute myeloid leukemia, AML. Her mentor is Patrycja Dubielecka-Szczerba, PhD.

Noah Wake, Therapeutics Sciences Graduate Program. Noah’s research focuses on how certain proteins organize and regulate function under normal conditions and how changes in their behavior contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and dementia. His mentor is Nicolas L. Fawzi, PhD.

Morgan Woodman-Sousa, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Graduate Program. Morgan focuses on the molecular mechanisms behind oocyte quality and ovarian aging, aiming to shed light on idiopathic female infertility and reproductive health. Her mentor is Kathryn Grive, PhD.