Leadership 2024-2025

President
Jessica Palalay

Hi! I’m Jessica and I am the current MCB GSA President. I am a PhD candidate in Joe Sanfilippo’s lab and I study bacterial surface interaction in fluid flow conditions. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends, family, and my pets (I have 3 cats and 2 dogs)
Vice-President
Brooke Bouwens

Andy Briercheck

Hi, I’m Brooke Bouwens! I am a second-year biochemistry graduate student in the Hergenrother Lab. I am co-vice president with Andy! I am studying a protein called TRPM4 and its role in breast cancer. Outside of the lab, I like to run, workout, and volunteer at the food pantry


Hey, my name is Andy Briercheck (They/Them) and I am one of the Co-Vice Presidents for GSA this year! I’m in my second year as a founding member of Yan Zhang’s lab, where we study cold shock response in bacteria. Outside of my lab work, I am an avid musician, I play dungeons and dragons, and adore exploring the outdoors.
Communications Coordinator
Quang Nguyen

Hi, my name is Quang Nguyen and I’m currently the communication coordinator for GSA! I’m a 5th year PhD student in the Martha Gillette’s lab, where I study the circadian rhythms of blood-brain barrier permeability. Outside of lab, I like to explore new recipes, lifting heavy weights, and play with my cat, Oli.
Outreach Coordinators
Rayeed Ihsan
Hello! My name is Rayeed and I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Cronan Lab. I am very excited to be the Outreach Coordinator for the MCB GSA. Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching cars, motorcycles and tech content on YouTube!
Social Events Coordinators
Tori Boyle




Jenny (Ruiying) Cheng
Hi, my name is Tori Boyle, and I’m a microbiology graduate student in Asma Hatoum-Aslan’s lab. Our lab studies the arsenal of defense systems that prokaryotes harbor in response to invading bacteriophages, and my work is focused on discovering novel immune strategies in staphylococci. In my free time, I love hanging out with my dog and three cats, working out at the ARC, and spending time outside (especially Japan House!). I’m excited to serve as your social events coordinator!


I’m a fourth-year PhD student in the Van Bortle lab, researching RNA polymerase III regulation. In the summer, I love all things outdoors, in the winter when the weather becomes unbearable, you can find me in ARC or cuddling up with my guinea pigs and watching LoTR for the 10th time. I’m excited to serve as the social coordinator with Tori and strengthen the sense of community!
First-year Liaison
Saika Hossain
Hi! I am Saika, a microbiology graduate student in Jim Imlay’s lab. Our lab studies oxidative stress in bacteria. My project is focused on diagnosing oxidative stress by leveraging dehydratase enzymes containing iron-sulfur clusters in Escherichia coli. I am thrilled to serve as the first-year liaison for the MCB GSA. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, spending time with friends, and tending to my ever-growing collection of plants!
General Board Members
Temirlan Shilikbay

Minsoo Kim




Diptika Raut

Anna Mankovich
Abhinav Masih

Mireille Farjo
Shengyi Fei
Jessica Hertig
Gabe McKenna

Andrew Riley
Hi! My name is Temirlan Shilikbay, and I am a 6th-year Ph.D. student at Stephanie Ceman’s lab. I’m studying a gene called Mov10 and how its absence affects mouse brain structure and functioning. In the GSA, I help organize various fantastic events for graduate students and advertise them on our website and social media. Outside of work, I like to climb, play badminton and soccer, watch YouTube and Netflix, and hang out with my friends

Hi, my name is Minsoo (Alice) Kim, and I am a biochemistry
graduate student in Stadtmueller lab. My work is focused on the natural and
engineered SIgA effector functions against C. difficile or its
toxins.  I love hanging out with my family and friends, watch movies and
read books (with scented candles on!) in my free time. I’m happy to serve as a
general board member and help with events!

Hi! I’m Diptika, a second-year grad student in Xin Li’s Lab at CDB. I study the regulation of temporal transcription factors in Drosophila neural stem cells. When I’m not in the lab, I’m usually hopping between cafes/restaurants, lost in fictions, travelling, or just catching up on sleep. I am excited to continue being part of the MCB GSA as a general member


Hey! I’m Anna, a 5th year PhD Candidate in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. I study the role of the molecular chaperone, Hsp90, in the biogenesis of membrane proteins. Outside of the lab I like to spend time bouldering, reading, hiking, and skiing


Hey! I’m Abhinav Masih, a second-year Graduate student under Dr. Raven Huang in the Department of Biochemistry. I study antiphage defence systems in bacterial systems. In my free time, I like to challenge my cooking skills and solve various jigsaw and 3D puzzles