| President | |
Jenny Cheng | My name is Jenny Cheng, and I’m the current MCB GSA President. 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 about strengthening the sense of community within MCB. |
| Vice-President | |
Brooke Bouwens Andy Briercheck  | Hi, I’m Brooke Bouwens! I am a Third-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, work out, and volunteer at the food pantry Howdy! My name is Andy Briercheck, and I use they/them pronouns. I am one of the Co-VPs for the GSA this year. I am a third-year PhD Candidate in Yan Zhang’s lab, where we study the bacterial cold shock response. Outside of the lab, I am a musician and composer, I study “Historical European Martial Arts”, and am an avid tea/coffee enjoyer. |
| Communications Coordinator | |
Ashwitha Lakshmi | Hi, I’m Ash, and I’m the Communications Coordinator for the MCB Graduate Student Association! I’m a PhD student in the Molecular & Integrative Physiology program in Dr. Timothy Fan’s lab, where I study tumor-associated macrophages and metabolic–immune interactions in canine osteosarcoma. Outside the lab, I enjoy trying new restaurants, traveling whenever possible, and cooking for the people I care about. |
| Outreach Coordinators | |
Gabe McKenna | Gabe is in the third year of their PhD in Molecular and Integrative Physiology with the Tsai lab. They are currently investigating the physiological and cellular effects of a rare genetic mutation implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorder. When not in lab or running outreach events, you’ll find Gabe swinging a longsword at Tempered Mettle Historical Fencing, climbing into a Lyra at Defy Gravity, and occasionally guest performing at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Gabe is most excited to TA a lab course this year, which they haven’t done since undergrad. |
| Social Events Coordinators | |
Cecilia Sun | Hi! I am Menghan (“Cecilia”) Sun (she/her/hers), and I will serve as the social event coordinator. I am a graduate student in the Ceman lab, where we study the RNA helicase MOV10 and its functions in mouse brains. I have two cats, and they occupy most of my extracurricular life. Besides that, I enjoy eating, crocheting, reading books, and writing (weird) stories. I look forward to seeing you at future GSA events! |
| First-year Liaison | |
Thy Ta | Hey, I’m a 2nd year PhD student in the Burke lab studying small-molecule antifungal drugs! I love being active (recently picked up pickle ball!) and exploring hidden gems in C-U. MCB is a great community to be part of, and I’m excited to work with the GSA board to help organize events that connect people and enrich the graduate student experience! |
| General Board Members | |
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. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, spending time with friends, and tending to my ever-growing collection of plants! |
Temirlan Shilikbay | Hi! My name is Temirlan Shilikbay, and I am a 7th-year Ph.D. student at Stephanie Ceman’s lab. I’m studying how the gene called Mov10 participates in the development of the mouse brain, it’s structure and functioning. In the GSA, I help organize various fantastic events for graduate students. Outside of work, I like to climb, watch movies, bake, and hang out with my friends. |
Rayeed Ihsan | Hello! My name is Rayeed and I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Cronan Lab. Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching cars, motorcycles and tech content on YouTube! |
Minsoo Kim | 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, watching movies, and reading books (with scented candles on!) in my free time. I’m happy to serve as a general board member and help with events! |
Diptika Raut | Hi! I’m Diptika, a third-year grad student in Xin Li’s Lab at CDB. I study the regulation of temporal transcription factors in Drosophila neural stem cells. To keep academic burnout at bay, I try to stay active, explore new food places with friends, travel when I can, and still swear by my much-needed power naps. Music is always on in the background, so feel free to send me your recs! I’m excited to continue being part of the MCB GSA as a general member. |
Anna Mankovich | Hey! I’m Anna, a 6th 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 |
Abhinav Masih | Hey! I’m Abhinav Masih, a third-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 |
| Shengyi Fei | |
| Mireille Farjo | |
| Andrew Riley | |
| Courtney Hill | |
| Bryan Patrick Gworek | |
| Jessica Hertig | |
| Katherine Ritchie | |
| Tori Anne Boyle |