Cornell iGEM features a talented and diverse group of individuals striving to use synthetic biology to solve some of our communities' most challenging problems. Our team is made up of five subteams: Wet Lab, Product Development, Wiki, Policy & Practices, and Business.
Wet Lab
Product Development
Wiki
Policy & Practices
Business
Team Members
Michael ConstantTeam LeadChemical Engineering, 2025*Play Texas Hold Em by Beyonce* Alright, let’s do this one last time. His name is Michael Constant. He was bitten by a delusional member of British royalty, and for the last 256 months, he’s been the one and only SupaSlayMan OOOOOOOO. I’m pretty sure you know the rest: He pooped his pants during a kinetics exam, bought obscenely expensive sunglasses in Paris in 2023, works on iGEM stuff for at least 3 hours a day, avidly inhales the breakfast burrito from Purity Ice Cream in Ithaca NY, and uh… he doesn’t like NSYNC. But no matter how insane his GCal is, he’s always there for the team and his friends. It’s always a good time when he’s around. After all, there’s only one SupaSlayMan. And you’re looking at him. 
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Coco PoopatWiki LeadPlant Science, 2026Everyone make way!! You are about to witness the awe-inspiring awesomeness of one of the greatest wiki leads to have ever graced an iGEM team. There’s not enough time in history for us to go through every item on the “Coco Appreciation List”. But we can hit the highlights for now. Her slowest driving speed is 120 mph, she once baked a basket of cookies cementing her place as iGEM’s next top chef, and there’s a strong suspicion that she was behind the great Ithaca vegetable surplus of June 2024. A true design queen, and leader to all, it’s time honor, the one to rule them all. |
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Isaac ChangWetlab LeadNutritional Sciences, 2025Benjamin Franklin said there are two things in life that are guaranteed: death and taxes. No disrespect to Benny, but he was wrong. It’s death, taxes, and Isaac letting his intrusive thoughts win. He’s fearless. Dealing with bacteria that nobody would want to touch with a ten-foot pole. Except for him… he’s gonna touch them all over 👀. That’s just one example of the kinds of things you can expect to hear from Isaac. Whether it’s in lab, over lunch, or even just a quiet movie night. There’s no off switch on this Asian sensation. If this doesn’t already scare you, try watching him down a 4x4 at In-N-Out. The shivers that went through your spine when you saw little Georgie get his hand eaten by Pennywise in IT is nothing compared to the horror/awe you’ll have when seeing him demolish that burger. And then he gets up and runs a 6:30 mile. You’d hate him if he wasn’t just so loveable. |
Jean-luc ShimizuWetlab LeadBiological Sciences, 2025My dude is locally known as the Curry Man. And that’s because he cooks up the most banger Japanese curry. And the fascinating thing is each time he cooks it up it’s different - it’s all based on feel and intuition. That’s how crazy this man is. And he not only cooks up in the realm of food; he is a master of the trumpet, creating slick jazz grooves like the ones you hear at a Michelin-starred restaurant. And have you seen this guy?????? A room full of biologists all have their hearts jump rope when he walks into the room. That jawline…that hair… and that smile. Sorry, I’m getting sidetracked. The point is between his smooth jazz trumpet skills and his devilish charm, he might just be the most swoon-worthy biologist to ever walk Cornell. |
Jeffrey HoPolicy and Practices LeadBiological Sciences, 2026This dude has a frog cult - he calls it a frult. He’s constantly posting Instagram stories of memes with frogs in them as if he had them in his stash all day. And one thing attractive about Jeff is he is committed to the things he cares about. Whether it’s working at the hospital or being on the EBoard of Red Cross, this man is everything and everywhere all at once. As the resident Gremlin of iGEM, there’s the standard golden rule… don’t feed him after dark. Our glorious PnP lead, he’s brought joy and love to everyone he interacts with. Don’t goad him into a who’s stronger contest though, because he will pick you up like you weigh 10 pounds. |
Ishaan NanalPolicy and Practices LeadComputer Sciences, 2026Ishaan is the noble leader of the biz subteam (and the most iconic big on iGEM), effortlessly combining his tech brilliance with a sharp business sense to guide team Cornell to victory. Hailing from the Bay Area, this Warriors fan brings the same level of intensity and strategy to the team as his favorite player, Steph Curry. Even though he’s a CS major, his business acumen rivals that of seasoned professionals. After a summer of working in private equity, some say he’ll be the world's first ever trillionaire. You can always spot him by his drippy outfits, turning heads as he walks by. He’s the kind of leader who makes things happen—someone destined for greatness both on and off the court. |
Aidan LarsonBusinessBiological Engineering, 2026Imagine the most bad-ass businessman you know. In a suit and tie, looking down at his watch trying to figure out whether he should move this $1000000000000 check from his checking to his savings account. Replace the suit and tie and fancy get-up with a hoodie, some basketball shorts, and some headphones and you have Aidan. Cornell iGEM’s premier businessman/hooper/guy you see on a train bopping his head to whatever’s blaring in his airpods. My boy has left more meetings after 15 minutes than he has actually attended in full. There’s just no way that you can stop the Aidan mobile. We know he’s going to do great things in the future! |
James YoungBusinessEconomics, 2026Now that I think about it, most people with curly hair tend to be supervillains. If you’re looking for someone to break that norm, James is NOT your guy. Sure he drives the EMS truck to help save lives, is CPR certified, has achieved a level of chill that most people aspire to have… alright fine he’s pretty awesome. He’s always sitting in the back of meetings with that quiet classic James poker face. This man should never be allowed to play Vegas, he’d rob those casinos blind Ocean’s 11 style. He’s already conquered the US, so it only makes sense for him to head abroad to take London next. The first loss we take to the British in a while. |
Adelynn WuWikiComputer Science, 2027⚠️WATCH OUT⚠️ for the total TRIPLE THREAT that is Adelynn! Master of graphic design, web dev, AND game dev, she is not one to be messed with! Adelynn has been part of literally everything on wiki, from her super cute designs to her programming mastery. Her talent knows no bounds! And I am definitely not biased bc she is my adopted little! |
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Richard LinWetlabBiomedical Engineering, 2026Richard is a man of exquisite taste. With hair in immaculate condition, a brand new fit for each day, all while rocking fresh sneakers, you will never find him off his game— rain or shine. And to complete his fit: Sony headphones wrapped around his neck at all times. In lab, Richard is the ultimate workhorse. Whether it be a PCR, a gel electrophoresis, or whatever technique there is to learn, he’s in there tweaking and improving his craft. When he’s not working in lab, he’s probably eating at his favorite Chinese restaurant in Ithaca, Asian Chili, or being an academic weapon and grinding a Biomedical Engineering pset. His only weakness: the sun, after coming into lab red as a tomato because he forgot sunscreen. 
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Natalie DengWetlabBiology and Society, 2027If you think you are the #1 🥇 Aldi fan, you definitely have not 🙅♀️ met Natalie Deng. As a proud 🥹 owner of Aldi merch, Natalie has the weekly strawberry 🍓 prices memorized ($1.89 for a 2lb box) and eagerly anticipates Aldi’s weekly sales 🤑. When she’s not hard at work in iGEM’s wet lab 🧫 in Weill, Natalie can be found on the stairmaster at planet 💪 fitness, where she trains for her role as the star 🌟 player on her intramural soccer ⚽️ team, the Munchables 😋. Natalie’s greatest weakness is that she does not have a driver's license yet 😔. As an active user of the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit system, 🚍 she’s practically on a first name basis with the bus drivers, especially the drivers of the 30 to Triphammer (one time she forgot 😣 her student ID but was still recognized by the driver who let her on!) What she lacks in driving 🚗 skills, she makes up for with her elite cooking 🧑🍳 ability. Her professionally made lunches 🥙 are the envy of all of her coworkers. Her secret to elevating a dish 🍽️ is to garnish it with a perfectly 🍳 fried egg! A lesser-known fact is that Natalie and Batman have never been seen 👀 in the same room. If Natalie is ever absent 😥 from a wet lab meeting, it’s probably because Gotham needs her… 
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Jatin MukerjiProduct DevelopmentBiological Engineering, 2025When you think of a cowboy, it’s rare that you think about an Indian kid in upstate New York doing bio research. Talk about shattering stereotypes. I wonder if there are bioreactors on dude ranches in the midwest because that might be Jatin’s utopia. Did I mention he’s also the head of his frat?!? There is not a box in existence that you can fit this man in. As the head of our Product Development team, there’s no one you’ll find with a more perfect understanding of bio and hardware integration than this man. Combine that with his boots clad with spurs and his love for rock climbing and you have a force to be reckoned with. The brain, the brawn, and the bio (But don’t worry he’s a big softie) |
Claire LupienPolicy and PracticesBiological Engineering, 2027Claire is a PnP superstar! 🌟She always brings her bright energy to our meetings, and we can count on her for her exciting ideas, fun vibes, and driving skills. 🚗She’s great at talking to people and helping them feel encouraged and appreciated! ☺️On top of that, she’s a cracked bioengineering major who interned at an awesome biotech company in Boston over the summer and got into Cornell Consulting this semester. 🧬Claire’s super talented inside the classroom and out! She knows how to do all kinds of awesome things like make ice cream. 🍦She even made her own lavender ice cream flavor this summer. We’re so lucky to have someone as cool and fun as Claire on PnP this year!! 😎 |
JP EliopoulosBusinessBiometry and Statistics, 2026Reliable, risk taker, chill. This is what I think of when I think of JP. A soccer player at heart, he dominates on the turf, spinning and juking out everyone else as if they were mannequins. And it’s not only the turf he dominates. The basketball court is where you will find this man cashing in buzzer beaters and game winners on the daily. Oh, did I mention he’s a loyal Boston Celtics fan? Congrats on winning the championship this past year because y’all ain’t winning any time soon from now on. This fine man is bringing his talents to Scotland next year — I’m expecting him to learn how to play the bagpipes when he comes back. |
Rachel CannataBusinessHotel Administration, 2025I don’t want to overhype her, but she is the most unique iGEM member in the history of Cornell, nay the organization. Too much? Nope. This hotelie out of New Orleans is representing for all our non-STEM members. Who said iGEM wasn’t interdisciplinary :) Her baking skills are the stuff of legend, her love for the Saints is unfortunate but we’ll overlook that, and her biz skills would put [insert your favorite mogul] to shame. I didn’t even know she was a senior until a few weeks ago, because my brain simply could not compute the fact that she was going to leave us soon. She will be missed, but we know she won’t skip a beat at the superpower firm she joins. |
Emily LiuWikiComputer Science, 2027#1 New York Times Bestseller | From an unassuming sophomore at Cornell, an inspiring account about coding at 3 AM that tells the story of a young adult navigating life with her backpack and $15.99 Amazon phone case. “She’s also good at taekwondo…at least yellow belt level I think.” - Neha Chopade, Product Development, 2027 “Wowww she’s almost the height of Dora!” - Natalie Deng, Wet Lab, 2027 “Wait…which subteam is she on again?” - Nicoletta Sodini, PnP, 2027 “I need to edit this to make it seem like I know you.” - Lulu Wang, Wet Lab, 2027 Straight from the Ivy League town of Princeton, Jersey, Emily Liu naturally found herself right at home at Cornell. Starting off as an unsure freshman, Emily found herself struggling to balance the onset of club recruitments, CS homework, and failing at ERS…not to mention getting endlessly bullied by her friends, who gave her stacks of plates to take to Morrison’s dish drop (50% chance this is true). In this totally legit memoir, Emily recounts her journey as she goes from a freshman trying to pass her swim test to a fully fledged Cornellian, ready to take on anything that comes her way. From girlbossing her way through prelims, managing to avoid being homeless during the housing process…and still getting bullied by her friends, Emily is now the CS major every prefrosh wishes they were as she continues to navigate through life and sleep deprivation. 
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George ZengWetlabBiological Engineering, 2027Meet George, the ultimate iGEM weapon. Not only can he cook it up in the lab 👨🍳 with his flawless pipetting skills, but he’s a master of computational modeling 😎 However, he occasionally disappears mid-experiment … but hey, the gym calls! His transformations in the lab are as strong as his bench press and as precise as his PCRs. 🏋️♂️ Fueled by his commitment to never skip leg day and also a lover of spicy Chinese goods 🌶️, He’s on his third major in two months, switching from agricultural science 🌽 to biological engineering 🌳, and most recently biomedical engineering🩻 in just the last two months. Let's see what he does next ! 👀 He’s someone who always brings the same energy to iGEM that he does to the gym – grind never stops for him, always pushing his limits and overcoming numerous challenges. Man could probably do a perfect gel confirmation and hit a PR in the gym on the same day. 😮 |
Lulu WangWetlabChemical Engineering, 2027Name: (De)Lulu Wang Major: Chemical Engineering Ethnicity: Chinese (not Korean confirmed) Species: Part-cyborg Age: 10??? Strengths Weaknesses: Mathematica, part-cyborg, microscopic handwriting, insects Fashion Style: Blue zip-up hoodie Famous Quotes: “I’m NOT breathing.” “Why do you need thumbs? Thumbs are bad.” “When you’re walking you don’t have to do anything.” Favorite Show: C-dramas (she would rather watch these then come to wet lab socials 😔) Personality Traits: mYstErioUs. Weapon of Choice: Vacuum cleaner Preferred Communication Methods: Slack (she doesn’t have instagram T_T) Criminal Record: Underage possession of (rubbing) alcohol 
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Adithya PrabakaranStudent AdvisorBiomedical Engineering, 2025AH so I see you’re interested in my friend Adi over here. By clicking his element, I just KNOW you got some chemistry so I gotta tell you what he’s all about. This fineee specimen of a man will make you MELT with his heart of gold and sweep you off your feet with his gains from the gym. But don’t worry, he’ll always catch you before you fall. How does that work if you’re melted? I don’t know, girl math it. Even though he’s basically a part-time PhD student with how much he’s in the lab, the man will always make time for you and take you on amazing adventures. He’s the coolest cat around and has some fire style. Hit him up loves - Wingman out 
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Rowan GouldStudent AdvisorBiology, 2026What can I say about Rowan? About his strong, robust 6’5’’ frame, intense, majestic caterpillar mustache, thick, chestnut mop-top, beautiful, iconic flannel overshirt, devious, scheming smile, brisk walk, long strides? Sorry, I got a little ahead of myself. Rowan is like a tree in human form, which makes sense considering he spends his free time hugging them. As an Outdoor Odyssey Guide and Cornell Outdoor Education employee, Rowan is your personal point of access to all things nature. It is said that Rowan can stand still in a field and within minutes be surrounded by vines, birds, and small critters. When he’s not cosplaying Henry David Thoreau, you can catch Rowan raising rats in the basement of the Biotechnology building. He claims it's for neurobiological research but I worry he’s raising an army of rodents to take over the world. We’re going to miss him sooooooo much as he studies abroad in Florence next semester. |
Siddhanth BhattStudent AdvisorBiomedical Engineering, 2025Sid the Science Kid was inspired by this guy. Number one on every party’s list, party don’t start till Sid walks in. He left his legacy on the team after his reign as team lead, but GBody will never be that funny again. |
Shohum FinkelsteinStudent AdvisorBiomedical Engineering, 2025Alas I begin My short and sweet po’em Introducing to you The best iGEM big: Shohum! Alright, that didn’t rhyme I’ll try to be better For the rest of this poem, I’ll rhyme down to the letter From wet lab to business To our recruiting chair Without her brains and wisdom We’d surely despair A natural-born leader She was even the president Of the low-rise seven dorm As it’s leading resident Want to find her on campus? Zeus is where you’ll try She’s behind the register Sipping an iced chai Sometimes it’s scary That she knows how I think And on the very “first try” We’ll start talking in sync With so many hobbies Her skills are acute I bet you didn’t know… She even plays the flute! Just wait ten years And see what future unfurled She’ll be running a company Or ruling the world! |
Shara ShanmugasundaramStudent AdvisorComputer Science, 2025Shara is the master CSer who we can always rely on. She is always busy whenever I see her around campus but she is always able to get all her work done, and done well. She is the one person who keeps me sane and on top of things regarding everything iGEM. From walking with me to gbodys last year to calling me and making sure I’m awake this year, she’s a steady support and great friend (the kpop talks are fun too). I bow down to the CS master who somehow is as confused as me but also always knows what's going on. I love you bestie, continue to carry, and you better stay with me all four years (and forever) |
Joshua LeeProduct DevelopmentBiomedical Engineering, 2026Two-time winner of PD’s “Best Post-It Note” and simultaneous winner of “Best Whiteboard Drawing”, Joshua Lee is as skilled with the marker as he is the Arduino IDE. His coding prowess seems to come as easy as his artistic depictions of fellow subteam members. The ELL would be a much more boring place without the chance of finding a stylized drawing of Ryan or David on a post it note somewhere. |
Neha ChopadeProduct DevelopmentChemical Engineering, 2027Not many people know this but Neha’s first words 👶 were actually “instant pot” 🥘 followed by the close second of “Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor” 🧪. Not only is Neha a big part of the brains 🧠 behind the PD operation 👷♀️, she is also a master in the art of the instant pot. From homemade yogurt and oatmeal 🥣 to full meals of biryani and noodles 🍝 Neha has been able to feed multiple armies (iGEM members) and lead them fearlessly 🫡 to success (in the ELL) with her delicious and nutritious cooking. Neha is a woman of many talents🎤; people have reported seeing her surf waves 🌊 taller than the Empire State Building 🌆 and experts say if she was born at the same time as Newton 🍎 she would have discovered gravity first🥇. Did you know she can point out the star ⭐️ constellations by name? Zodiac lovers fear her when they see her pull up to the observatory 🔭 on Friday nights. With her loyal Strava fan base we can expect to see Neha in the Olympics (in her home state of Cali 🌴 in 2028 🎊) for her athleticism 🚴♀️, perhaps as a triathlete‼️ By far the best sniper 📸 on Cornell iGEM, Neha will commit to the bit and hide in the bushes 🌳 outside your next class to expose 👀 you on slack. Once she gets you to share your location, it’s truly over…there is no escape for you from her watchful eyes past this point. At this point, you might be asking yourself 🤔, is there anything Neha cannot do⁉️ And to that I 🙋♀️ can give the simple answer of no 😼 Oh and did you know?? She LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVES rice 🍚 If you befriend her, she WILL ask you if you want some of her infamous rice every. single. day. 🫣 And her pet chicken is pretty cool 🐓Do not stoke her anger, for you will face the wrath of her recreational chickens. What are recreational chickens, you ask? You don’t want to find out…💪🐔🫵 
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Kaitlin ChungPolicy and PracticesBiological Sciences, 2027Kaitlin. The woman 👩. The Myth 🧜. The PnP Legend 🏆. Kaitlin is a true star ⭐️ student 👩🎓 on and off the team. As a master of genetics 🧬 she has fearlessly 🫡 led generations of biology 🧫 majors into genetics prelims 📄 with indestructible armor 🪖 of knowledge 🧠. Not only is Kaitlin a genetics wiz 🪄, in her free time she casually enjoys researching cancer 👩🔬 in her lab 🥼 on campus. For Kaitlin, the grind 🏋️♂️ never 🙅♀️ stops ✋. This summer ⛱️, not only did she work tirelessly 🌙 on documentation 📑 she also whipped up 🥣 some mind blowing 🤯 research 🦠. Did you know she is also one of the writers 👩💻 on the Cornell Sun ☀️??? Talk about a multi-talented gal 💁♀️ |
Taikary JiangBusinessBiological Engineering, 2027This gelled, slick business member is the smoothest criminal you will ever find. Coming in hot out of Long Island I can’t remember the last time he wasn’t 5 minutes early to a meeting. And his emoji game!!! Don’t get me started on the kinds of emojis this man is capable of using. I mean you tell me the last time you saw someone emote a Zebra, American Flag, and an Oyster consecutively. Then he turns around and engages in high-level bargaining with foreign UA manufacturers that I didn’t even know existed. It’s like he manifested them to life with his mind. His mind operates at a level so high, that none of us are capable of understanding it. It’s Taikary’s world and we’re all just living in it. |
Eujin LeeWikiComputer Science, 2027From late night baking sessions to Weill Hall lockouts, Eujin goes through everything she does with a smile on her face and also impeccable style 🤩 She’s the bravest person I know (CS + premed godspeed 🫡) but is also so incredibly funny and talented and smart. Also bonus points for having to put up with all of my strange antics and struggles during wiki meetings 😭 |
Evelyn GoldwasserWetlabBiological Sciences, 2026Evelyn is our resident modeling 📈📊💻 queen but also MODELING 💃🤩✨queen if yk what I mean! She’s one of our lovely social chairs that made this summer so so fun! There’s truly no one else I would rather stumble thru WL procedures with. She will be so very missed when she studies abroad next sem 😪💔 |
Sophie ShadidWetlabInterdisciplinary Studies - Pharmacology, 2025Sophie is arguably the coolest member of iGem in the history of the organization. She is not only a wiz in the wet lab, but a beautiful photographer, a master bartender, and a great friend! She’s the creative powerhouse – the mitochondria of our team – who came up with our awesome project, Oncurex. Yay Sophie! |
Aindri PatraStudent AdvisorBiological Sciences, 2025
Gossip Girl here: your one source into the scandalous lives of iGem 🤫🤭 |
Noelle PappousStudent AdvisorBiological Sciences, 2025meet noelle (aka christmas grandpa) (aka frog vacuumer) (aka aka pnp’s favorite insect-loving farmer & drama addict). noelle is one of a kind as she is the only person i know that you could catch at insectapalooza at 10 am on a saturday morning (you go glen coco. save the world one insect at a time 💅). one thing you can always count on noelle for is she will alw alw put her all into everything, from school to research to pnp (graduating early honors thesis and all??). she is an absolutely amazing person and friend (animal vacuuming aside 🙃) who everyone would be lucky to know. she makes cornell an infinitely better place and we are so grateful for all she does 🥰 (tho the next time you use that photo of jefe and i, i will disown you). |
Derek HuangStudent AdvisorComputer Science, 2025Derek is the most insane, crazy CS man I know. From deciding that we were going to develop a game (rip game dev team) to basically making sure that we could even do any of it in time, he has made sure that Wiki does not flounder and fall face first off the edge of the cliff and meet all of our deadlines. He pulls up to g-body with his little electric bike (most likely two minutes late) but is always there with his laptop ready to debug whatever problem occurred last night or reading webtoons on his phone. For being a dude from Oklahoma, not bad Derek, not bad at all. iGEM is definitely in a better place because of him :) |
Pallavi KondayapalepuStudent AdvisorBiological Sciences, 2025Pallavi, our dearest one and only Pallavi. A truly dedicated PNP member - she doesn’t use her backpack because there’s oobleck all in it #outreachqueen #makingsacrifices #girlwydthoplzletmebuyyouabackpack. She is truly one of a kind: starts and finishes chem labs in office hours, runs on no sleep (this is mind boggling to me bc I run on excess sleep - Elena), and somehow has time to bake??? Her muffins are truly elite (someone get her on cupcake wars asap)!!!! (she would feed me when we lived together and i’m still here. that speaks for something right? - Aindri) Our fav PnP (and only) RA, Pallavi has the best stories and somehow manages to have her life together - she does a billion things and still manages to do well after starting shows during final weeks #icon. Pallavi please don’t ever leave the team (aka please don’t leave me), I will truly burst out in tears and sing in true opera fashion to the tune of Mike Posner’s Please Don’t Go. The one of a kind perfect, precious, pristine Policy and Practices person: Pallavi. |
Vernetta HuangStudent AdvisorComputer Science, 2025Vernetta is the *absolute cutest* tech wizard you'll ever meet! 🥺✨ She was previously our wiki team lead and came back this year as our advisor, totally slaying new member training for web dev and game dev 💻🎮. From coding to video editing to design, Vernetta is good at literally everything—like, is there anything she can’t do?! 🤯 Oh, and she's a K-pop girly at heart 🎶💜, so you know she's got great taste. iGEM misses her so much while she’s studying abroad 🌍✈️, but we hope she's having the best time ever! Come back soon, Vernetta—we need your genius and your cuteness back in our lives! 😘💖 |
Ryan TseProduct DevelopmentChemical Engineering, 2027Ryan, the true titan of product development, the absolute master of motor supporting structures, a legit superhero of coding, and an elite Brawl Stars player. He’s also the kind of expert who dominates those games where you have to keep a ball bouncing through a tunnel without letting it fall. Oh, and he’s basically a Tetris-like mini-game guru (Idk what’s that game). Wait, there’s more—he’s a Mandarin specialist too! Man, he got the word wocao down to a science (you might not wanna ask what it means). He even says stuff like “Zhe zhen de shi tai ku laaaa,” which means “That is soooo coooool!” Alright, last but not least, his real superpower has to be Product development stuff. We gotta hype him up for this one—dude’s cranking out a ton of code like it’s nothing, totally owning it. |
Alvin FangProduct DevelopmentBiological Sciences, 2027Alvin “Scorcese” Fang earned his name serving as PD’s chief cinematographer. His cinematic and innovative camera techniques are unparalleled in their ability to bring our bioreactor to life. Beyond his exploits in film, Alvin is also PD’s premier sensor expert, controlling fundamental forces of nature like pH with his mind (and computer and Arduino and code) alone. |
Lynn HeoProduct DevelopmentBiomedical Engineering, 2027I’d be Lyinn if I didn’t say that Lynn is one ☝️ in a milLynn. She’s the most amazing 🎀 person inside and out, and the #1 Bruno Mars ☄️ fan on our team. Lynn would catch 🫴a grenade for product development. When not in the ELL, Lynn can be found in Duffield contemplating her major 🔬. Lynn lived in Korea 🇰🇷 for 7 years, but she pretended to not 🤫speak Korean when some exchange students tried to interrogate her during an iGEM volleyball 🏐 game. A true Korean, Lynn loves Korean bbq 🍗 . One time in the summer ☀️Lynn went to an all-you-can-eat KBBQ place and ate for over 3 hours ⏰. The receipt was over two feet long 🧾. Definitely getting her money’s 💸 worth. During our annual iron chef 👩🍳 competition, Lynn was definitely not 🙅♀️responsible for burnt 🥵 garlic 🧄 bread and a fire 🔥 alarm (the whole Ithaca fire 🧯department just showed up for the vibes…). There’s never a dull moment in the ELL when Lynn is present. She thoroughly explored her passion for pyrotechnics 🧨 by burning the rubber insulation off a wire with a short circuit (Luckily Ithaca fire department 🚒did not show up for that one). Don’t make Lynn your enemy because she is an expert fencer 🤺 and might challenge you to duel. The only thing stopping Lynn from being a world class triathlete is her greatest weakness: 🫵she doesn't know how to ride a bike 🚲 . 
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Nicoletta SodiniPolicy and PracticesBiology and Computer Science 2027So you think you think you can rock a pair of shades better than Nikki? Oh you poor soul, you have no idea the losing battle you’ve just entered. This girl is the single most greatest thing to ever come out of Chicago (that’s right Michael Jordan and Barack Obama). Now does she have a habit of forgetting about RA meetings and joining her big, 30 minutes late for dinner… perhaps 👀, but does that take away from her awesomeness: not really. This PnP queen is an absolute legend of iGEM and a multitalented superstar. She’s also the star member of the women's club water polo team, and the best eggbeater the world has seen. Perhaps the Michael Phelps of iGEM, Nikki is also an amazing swimmer and once swam a thousand yards in Cayuga lake. Over the summer, Nikki worked at the art museum, where she spent most of her time redirecting visitors who mistook her for the art because of her amazing fashion sense. |
Krystal OhuabunwaWikiComputer Science, 2025Meet Krystal, our intrepid CS major ⌨️ and romance novelist 💓 extraordinaire. As a senior studying abroad🪆 , she is wiki's secret weapon ⚔️ , weaving digital magic from afar. If she is not coding up a storm, she might be crafting swoon-worthy love stories🔮. Krystal is the true sorceress who balances website wizardry with the art of romance.❤️🔥 |
Taylor ZhouWetlabBiomedical Engineering, 2027Arriving fashionably late to meetings, Taylor is the best-dressed wet lab member. Have you ever associated the color pink with synthetic biology? You will after you witness Taylor in the lab! Rumor has it that her favorite part of lab is the boba run in between PCR cycles. Outside of the lab, you can find her dancing, sewing, binging C-dramas, and planning her inevitable takeover of the American Cancer Society. It’s no wonder she works so fast in the lab—she has so many hats to juggle! |
Smriti SridharanWetlabBiological Engineering, 2025An ode to our WL queen: From dancing with pipettes, To doing wet lab work with no sweat. Smriti knows how to play hard, And work harder no matter how near or far. Thermo keeps her busy, But will never get her dizzy. Our resident Libra tackles the day, And keeps those Biological Engineers at bay, With her amazing skills and master sway. Smriti. An Icon. Future world leader. |
David XiangStudent AdvisorBiomedical Engineering, 2025When he’s not playing League of Legends in his room, grinding three problem sets simultaneously in duff, or cooking in the kitchen, you can find David in the corner of the ELL working on his box. Yes, a literal box. What for, you’ll have to ask him yourself. And if by a miracle your PD-related prayers get to him, then he will spend the next couple of hours silently watching over your shoulder. Even if that may be the scariest experience, in truth David is the PD subteam’s gracious savior, always swooping in and helping the rest of the subteam with his plethora of wisdom and experience. We love you David :) |
Cameron MeyerStudent AdvisorBiology & Society and Economics, 2026Cam Cam the Business Man. |
Javohir AbdurazzakovStudent AdvisorInformation Science, 2026My boy is HIM. He actually goes by Java. That’s how you know he’s a true Wiki member, my guy’s name is literally a type of coding. He’s also the flyest member of iGEM (indisputable fact). He pulls up to every meeting on an electric scooter with a gigantic puffer jacket billowing in the wind. You remember that scene from Madagascar 3 where officer Chantel DuBois pulls up on a scooter coming out of an explosion about to capture Alex the lion. That’s Java every gbody. When he walks into a room slow motion music starts playing and everyone knows that BAMF has entered the chat. And the way he acts during gbody???? Pause. He’s like Benoit Blanc in Knives Out sitting in the back just stroking his chin assessing the entire situation. Everything goes through him!! He is the end all be all. God said let there be light, and he spawned in. He is… inevitable. I’ve once seen him look at a screen and the website just gets created. Like hold on, is he supernatural??!!! I’ll end it with this sentiment shared by the entire team: You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you -Praise to Javohir (2023) |
Pedro Da SilveiraStudent AdvisorBiomedical Engineering, 2025Papa P as he is affectionately known by his team of uncertified business analysts. Pedro, the former business analyst-manager-VP-President-COO-CFO-CEO-Executive Assistant-subteam lead of the Cornell iGEM Business Subteam, turned advisor is still guiding our business subteam to success. Always available but somehow always living in the gym, Papa P has become one of the first consultants that business analysts turn to. Not just this motley crew of certified business analysts but Papa P has become a consultant of McKinsey, Bain and Co, BCG and other firms. In fact, the P in Papa P stands for archpartner of the top business firms. |
Srishti KhetanStudent AdvisorBiomedical Engineering, 2024Srishti is the coolest, nicest iGEM advisor of all time! As a former business subteam lead, she is an expert at fundraising and creating business plans. Not only does she help guide our business subteam to success, but she is also an incredible singer! If you haven’t seen Srishti’s A Capella group The Touchtones live, put their next concert on your gcal and buy a ticket ASAP! We will miss Srishti and wish her all the best as she takes on Columbia grad school :( |
Jacqui SparrowProduct DevelopmentBiological Engineering, 2027In the jungle of the ELL, there exists one individual who stands above the rest as PD’s premier parts purveyor. Need a drill bit? Jacqui found one. Need tiny screws to mount a motor housing? Jacqui found many. When she isn’t carrying PD logistics on her back, Jacqui is also the DAA of TriDelt (shoutout greek life) sorority in addition to being the best traveled and most entrepreneurial member of our team. |
Sonia LyakhovichProduct DevelopmentBiological Engineering, 2026Introducing our extremely serious and definitely-not-adventurous teammate, Sonia. Because working on our projects the past two summers wasn’t enough work for her she kicked ass in plant science labs and explored the great outdoors of upstate new york. Straight out of Brooklyn (obviously where all outdoorsy types are forged), she juggles distance running, teaching kayaking and canoeing, and—because that’s not enough—whipping up amazing meals like it’s nothing. (ask her to make baba ganoush it's so good) Apparently, balancing lab work with extreme sports and gourmet cooking is just another Tuesday for her. And when she’s not conquering the outdoors or the kitchen, you’ll find her in sweaty co-op basements, communing with nature (aka indie bands). |
Rita KellyProduct DevelopmentBiomedical Engineering, 2026Rita brings a unique blend of creativity and individuality to our team. As a talented singer in the choir, her voice isn't just confined to the stage—it fills every space with warmth and energy. Her love for music goes beyond classical choir arrangements, as she’s an avid fan of Fall Out Boy. This influence shows in her bold fashion choices, especially her hair colors, which reflect her free-spirited nature and passion for self-expression. Rita is the kind of person who isn't afraid to stand out, whether she's performing with her choir or simply being herself. Her vibrant personality and love for music make her an unforgettable part of Cornell iGEM. |
Cate moorePolicy and PracticesBiological Engineering, 2025Last year she made groundbreaking strides in our project and she is back again. This year, she has returned with even bigger and greater skills. Everyone get ready for drumroll please… CATE MOORE!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 She also comes in clutch with a car that goes vroom to Ned’s Pizza and wherever else we need to go. Cate keeps our team running smoothly all while smiling! I would watch out for her as she is our secret weapon on our team! |
Kyle ChuWikiComputer Science, 2027At precisely 3:14 a.m.—the optimal time for debugging code, according to him—Kyle Chu logs into the iGEM server from the comfort of his command center (others might call it a dorm room). His virtual presence is as subtle as a software update that requires a mandatory restart. Dressed in what we assume is a black turtleneck and jeans (since he rarely turns on his webcam), Kyle's eyes gleam with the soft glow of multiple monitors filled with lines of HTML, CSS, and Python scripts. The world lauds the friendship and rivalry between Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, crediting them with igniting the technological revolution. But little does the public know about the third member of this legendary trio: Kyle. Yes, that Kyle. Legend has it that during a high school calculus class, Kyle doodled the design of a portable, user-friendly computer on a sticky note to distract himself from solving Fermat's Last Theorem—for fun. He passed the note to Steve with a casual whisper, "Might be worth a look." That sketch became the blueprint for the first Macintosh. Not long after, a frustrated Bill Gates was wrestling with the complexities of DOS, contemplating whether computers would ever be accessible to the average person. Kyle, while casually solving a Rubik's Cube with one hand, suggested, "Why not create a system where you can point and click? Maybe use... windows?" Bill's eyes widened, and the rest is Silicon Valley folklore. Kyle's behind-the-scenes influence didn't stop there. Over a friendly game of chess, he advised a young Mark Zuckerberg to "drop the 'The'—just 'Facebook' sounds cleaner." He once told Jeff Bezos that selling books online was just the beginning and that two-day shipping would really "deliver" customer satisfaction. Rumor has it he even coined the term "Google" after winning a bet on who could come up with the most misspellings of the word "googol." Despite these monumental contributions, Kyle remains the unsung hero of the tech world, choosing to focus his boundless creativity on the iGEM wiki. When asked why he never claimed credit for his ideas, he simply shrugs and says, "Changing the world is cool, but have you ever tried formatting a wiki page at 4 a.m.?" Kyle's unique blend of humble genius and wry humor makes him the cornerstone of our wiki subteam. While others may be content with changing the face of technology, Kyle finds joy in perfecting the finer details—ensuring our wiki not only informs but inspires. We're just glad he's chosen to grace us with his presence, at least until the next tech mogul needs a brilliant idea whispered in their ear. |
