People
Current Students

The program is limited to approximately 30-40 students per year who progress through the program as a group. This ensures that students receive a high level of instructor attention and also creates the opportunity to form close bonds with their fellow classmates, which often transcend academia and continue into the workplace.

Student demographics

Entering Class of 2025

Photo of Rawan  Abualjass

Rawan Abualjass

Undergraduate: Bs in Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago

Research: Investigating Epitope Tag-Dependent Interactions of a Vibrio vulnificus MARTX Toxin Linker with Epithelial Cells

Photo of Zamin  Ahmed

Zamin Ahmed

Undergraduate: BS in Biology, Elmhurst University

Research: A Regulatory Decision Framework for Navigating Device-Led Drug–Device Combination Product Approval Pathways

Photo of Hana Ali

Hana Ali

Undergraduate: BS in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Florida

Research: Exclusivity and Competitive Positioning in Next-Generation GLP-1 Obesity Therapeutics: A Comparative Analysis of Retatrutide and CagriSema 

Photo of Yogitha Anand

Yogitha Anand

Undergraduate: BTech in Biotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore

Research: From Continuous Physiological Signals to Clinical Use: A Translational Analysis of Wearable Medical Devices

Photo of Madeline Bell

Madeline Bell

Undergraduate: BS in Behavioral Neuroscience, Northwestern University

Research: RNA Therapeutic Targeting of Tumor-Associated Macrophages for Glioblastoma Immunotherapy

Photo of Melissa  Capote

Melissa Capote

Undergraduate: BA in Psychology and History, Cornell University; BS in Behavioral Neuroscience, Floriday University

Research: The transition of amyloid beta oligomer subtypes from high-to-low molecular weight during developmental apoptosis in embryonic chick brain

Photo of Isabella Censullo

Isabella Censullo

Undergraduate: BS in Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University
Photo of Maximillian Chandra

Maximillian Chandra

Undergraduate: BS in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Purdue University

Research: H3.3K27M Mutation Sensitizes Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Cells to Ferroptosis via Altered Lipid Droplet Dynamics

Photo of Vivien Yuqi Chen

Vivien Yuqi Chen

Undergraduate: BS in Neuroscience, Cell, and Molecular Biology, University of Toronto

Research: Millimeter-scale Wireless Sensor for Continuous Vital Sign Monitoring in Neonatal and Cardiac Intensive Care Units

Photo of Hongrui (Jeffrey) Chu

Hongrui (Jeffrey) Chu

Undergraduate: BS in Pharmacological Chemistry, University of California San Diego
Photo of Shashank Deepak

Shashank Deepak

Undergraduate: BEng in Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering
Photo of Xixi  Deng

Xixi Deng

Undergraduate: BS in Biology, Beijing Forestry University; BS in Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia

Research: The Role of Chronic Inflammation in JAK2V617F-Mutant Myeloid Clonal Expansion

Photo of Leyi Duan

Leyi Duan

Undergraduate: BS in Biochemistry, Bate College

Research: Loss of Neuronal Mettl14 Promotes Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Signaling in the Brain

Photo of Vidhi Gabani

Vidhi Gabani

Undergraduate: BS in Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Photo of Gelis Garlarcé Lugo

Gelis Garlarcé Lugo

Undergraduate: BS in Neuroscience, Indiana University

Research: Evaluating Mast Cells as Therapeutic Targets Across Inflammatory Disorders

Photo of Yixiao Gao

Yixiao Gao

Undergraduate: BS in Cell System Biology, University of Toronto

Research: Mapping the CHEK2–YBX1 interaction interface, a candidate target for restoring immune recognition in glioblastoma

Photo of Christian Hernandez

Christian Hernandez

Undergraduate: BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Research: Dissecting Stress Tolerance Pathways Underlying Npm1c – Associated Leukemogenesis

Photo of Vanessa Herrera

Vanessa Herrera

Undergraduate: BA in Neuroscience, Princeton University
Photo of Subin (Hailey) Hong

Subin (Hailey) Hong

Undergraduate: BA in Chemistry, University of Rochester

Research: Understanding the Molecular Basis of Insolubility between two RNA Binding Proteins

Photo of Qilei Hu

Qilei Hu

Undergraduate: BS in Biological Science, University of California Davis
Photo of Ruoyi Jian

Ruoyi Jian

Undergraduate: BS in Pharmacology, University of California Santa Barbara
Photo of Jimmy Jiang

Jimmy Jiang

Undergraduate: BS in Biology, Pennsylvania State University

Research: Using Extracellular Vesicles to Deliver a USP22 Inhibitor in Breast Cancer Research

Photo of Nanxi Jing

Nanxi Jing

Undergraduate: BSC in Biomedical Science, University of College London

Research: Development and Characterization of a Colorimetric Uric Acid Assay for Wearable Sweat Sensing

Photo of Hina Kadono

Hina Kadono

Undergraduate: BS in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Purdue University
Photo of Akshita Kendai

Akshita Kendai

Undergraduate: BS in Molecular and Cell Biology and Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Photo of Kevin Li

Kevin Li

Undergraduate: BS in Biochemistry, University of California San Diego
Photo of Zhuokun Li

Zhuokun Li

Undergraduate: BS in Biochemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Research: Development of a modular display platform for protein decoration on MS2 VLPs using the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system

Photo of Jo Ying Lin

Jo Ying Lin

Undergraduate: BS in Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University

Research: Investigating the Role of Gain-of-Function Mutant p53 in Higher-Order Chromatin Organization Through Cohesin Association

Photo of Yiou Ma

Yiou Ma

Undergraduate: BAgr in Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University

Research: Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery of a Small-Molecule Inhibitor to Reprogram Tumor-Associated Myeloid Cells in Glioblastoma

Photo of Irene Martinez

Irene Martinez

Undergraduate: BA in Biological Sciences, Northwestern University
Photo of Alejandro Martinez Santamaria

Alejandro Martinez Santamaria

Undergraduate: BS in Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Photo of Kritika Murali

Kritika Murali

Undergraduate: BTech in Bioengineering, MIT Art, Design and Technology University
Photo of Yikai Peng

Yikai Peng

Undergraduate: BS in Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research: Evaluating Methanotrophs Through Metabolic Modeling and Laboratory Studies

Photo of Camellia Qiang

Camellia Qiang

Undergraduate: BS in Molecular Biology, University of Washington
Photo of Roshan Raj Rajamanickam

Roshan Raj Rajamanickam

Undergraduate: BS in Physiology and Neuroscience, BA in International Business, University of California San Diego
Photo of Polly Ren

Polly Ren

Undergraduate: BA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lewis & Clark College
Photo of Hannah Reider

Hannah Reider

Undergraduate: BA in Biological Sciences, Northwestern University

Research: Targeting the RNA-Binding Function of Topoisomerase I: A Less Genotoxic Strategy for TP53-Mutant Colorectal Cancer

Photo of Puja Sahoo

Puja Sahoo

Undergraduate: BS in Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago
Photo of Ani Sibel

Ani Sibel

Undergraduate: BS in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Photo of Julia Stesal

Julia Stesal

Undergraduate: BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Photo of Haider Vanek

Haider Vanek

Undergraduate: BA in Cognitive Science, University of California Berkeley

Research: Alternating the structure of Lanmodulin, a rare-earth metal binding protein, for enhanced rare-earth metal recovery

Photo of Shutong Wang

Shutong Wang

Undergraduate: Bs in Biological Sciences, Georgia State University; BEng in Bioengineering, Southwest Jiatong University

Research: Temozolomide-induced Injury–invasive State in Recurrent Human Glioblastoma

Photo of Zihao Wu

Zihao Wu

Undergraduate: BS in Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Research: Where Epicore Biosystems’ Sweat-Sensing Platform Should Grow Next: Market Gaps and Partnership Routes

Photo of Haowen Xue

Haowen Xue

Undergraduate: BS in Biotechnology, Qingdao University
Photo of Sahithi Sri Charani Yallapragada

Sahithi Sri Charani Yallapragada

Undergraduate: Bachelor of Pharmacy, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
Photo of Yichen Yao

Yichen Yao

Undergraduate: BS in Life Science, McMaster University
Photo of Yutong  Yao

Yutong Yao

Undergraduate: BS in Biology, Stony Brook University New York

Research: Investigating the Mechanisms Linking Frequency-Encoded Electromagnetic Stimulation to Chromatin Remodeling in Cardiomyocytes

Photo of Yuan You

Yuan You

Undergraduate: BS in Pharmacology and Biochemistry, China Pharmaceutical University
Photo of Chenshuo Zhang

Chenshuo Zhang

Undergraduate: BS in Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin

Research: Understanding Adaptive Stress Responses by Prior Genetic Mutation for GeneA-Associated Leukemogenesis

Photo of Li Zhang

Li Zhang

Undergraduate: BA in Neuroscience, BA in Psychology, Boston University

Research: Viability, Imaging, Surgical, Immunomodulation, Ocular Preservation and Neuroregeneration (VISION) Strategies for Whole Eye Transplant

Photo of Lingzhu Zhang

Lingzhu Zhang

Undergraduate: BMed in Stomatology, Nankai University
Photo of Shuoying  Zhang

Shuoying Zhang

Undergraduate: BS in Biology, Gonzaga University
Photo of Yujie Zhang

Yujie Zhang

Undergraduate: BS in Pharmacy, Sun Yat-sen University
Photo of Jiaxin Zhou

Jiaxin Zhou

Undergraduate: BS in Human Biology, University of California San Diego

Entering Class of 2026

Photo of Teshawar  Amjad

Teshawar Amjad

Education: BS in Botany
Photo of Morgan Anderson

Morgan Anderson

Education: BA in Strategic Communication, English, Spanish, Calvin University; MS in Media Science, Boston University
Photo of Krushang  Brahmbhatt

Krushang Brahmbhatt

Education: BS in Biological Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago
Photo of Su Min Chen

Su Min Chen

Education: BS in Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University
Photo of Wan Ni Chen

Wan Ni Chen

Education: BS in Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Taipei Medical University
Photo of Xintong  Chen

Xintong Chen

Education: BS in Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Photo of Kavin  Chengalpatu

Kavin Chengalpatu

Education: BTech in Biotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology
Photo of Zhuangyun (Owen) Cong

Zhuangyun (Owen) Cong

Education: BS in Biological Science, University of Connecticut
Photo of Daniel Coxworth

Daniel Coxworth

Education: BS in Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Photo of Lillian  Ein

Lillian Ein

Education: BS in Biology, Northwestern University
Photo of Leonid  Erokhin

Leonid Erokhin

Education: BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois Chicago
Photo of Jokebed  Faugue

Jokebed Faugue

Education: BA in Biology, Trinity Christian College
Photo of Yuchen Gao

Yuchen Gao

Education: BS in Business Analytics, BS in General Biology, University of Rochester
Photo of Atish Ghosh

Atish Ghosh

Education: BS in Biotechnology, Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, University of Mumbai
Photo of Yuze  Guo

Yuze Guo

Education: BS in Biology, University of Florida
Photo of Rhydhy  Rasika Gurmuras

Rhydhy Rasika Gurmuras

Education: B.Tech in Biotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology
Photo of Jingrou  Jiang

Jingrou Jiang

Education: BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Western Australia
Photo of Jiayi  Jin

Jiayi Jin

Education: BS in Biology, South China Agriculture University
Photo of Sanjana  Jose

Sanjana Jose

Education: BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Photo of Ketaki Anil  Joshi

Ketaki Anil Joshi

Education: BS in Biotechnology, Somaiya Vidyavihar University
Photo of Madeline Judson

Madeline Judson

Education: BS in Biomedical Science, Colorado State University
Photo of Harini  Karthik

Harini Karthik

Education: B.Tech in Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology
Photo of Makayla  Kelley

Makayla Kelley

Education: BS in Kinesiology, University of Michigan
Photo of Jinju  Kim

Jinju Kim

Education: BS in Biomedical Engineering, Ohio State University
Photo of Sloka  Kumarswamy

Sloka Kumarswamy

Education: BEng in Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering
Photo of Ryan  Kuykendall

Ryan Kuykendall

Education: BS in Bioengineering, Rice University
Photo of James  Latiff

James Latiff

Education: BS in Ecology, Evolution & Biodiversity, University of Michigan
Photo of Ang Li

Ang Li

Education: BAgr in Plant Science and Technology, Missouri State University
Photo of Christine  Li

Christine Li

Education: BS in Applied Biology with Biotechnology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Photo of Yixuan  Li

Yixuan Li

Education: BS in Animal Science, University of California Davis
Photo of Zijin  Li

Zijin Li

Education: BS in Biology, Wenzhou-Kean University
Photo of Tiarnan  LoCascio

Tiarnan LoCascio

Education: BS in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University
Photo of Isabella  Lovalvo

Isabella Lovalvo

Education: BS in Molecular & Environmental Biology, BA in Italian Studies, University of California Berkeley
Photo of Maveline  Nguyen

Maveline Nguyen

Education: BS in Biological Sciences, University of Rochester
Photo of Aliza  Shah

Aliza Shah

Education: BS in Biotechnology, University of Central Florida
Photo of Benyu Song

Benyu Song

Education: BS in Bio-engineering, Shanghai University
Photo of Abigail  Terry

Abigail Terry

Education: BS in Science Research Fellow, Baylor University 
Photo of Kailash  Vemuri

Kailash Vemuri

Education: BS Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Santa Barbara
Photo of Weile  Wang

Weile Wang

Education: BS in Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University
Photo of Jenna Wild

Jenna Wild

Education: BS in Biochemistry and Biology, Brandeis University
Photo of Zhoujie  Xie

Zhoujie Xie

Education: BA in Biology, University of California Riverside
Photo of Jiachi  Xue

Jiachi Xue

Education: BS in Computational Neuroscience, BS in Business Administration, University of Southern California
Photo of Junhan Yang

Junhan Yang

Education: BS in Clinical Pharmacy, University of Manchester; BS in Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University
Photo of Xingkuan  Yuan

Xingkuan Yuan

Education: BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne
Photo of Jingdi  Zhang

Jingdi Zhang

Education: BS in Pharmacy, Sun-Yatsen University
Photo of Zeya  Zhou

Zeya Zhou

Education: BS in Biology, Wenzhou-Kean University