Executive Board
Sophia Tesic
Co-President
Sophia is a senior double majoring in Data Science and Biology, Health, and Society along with a minor in Math. In college, Sophia is focused on continuing to develop technical and interpersonal skills while furthering a passion for research. Sophia joined MSBT to gain deeper insight into biological systems research, specifically helping in planning experimentation, and to collaborate with other undergraduates on an involved project that is connected to the local community.
Kimi Lillios
Co-President
Kimi is a senior completing a dual degree in Biology and User Experience Design. In college, Kimi is focused on gaining technical knowledge and exploring interdisciplinary fields. After graduating, she hopes to pursue a masters in Product Design with a concentration in Sustainability. Kimi joined MSBT to learn from talented peers throughout all stages of an interdisciplinary research team and have ownership over project that is making an impact.
Sriram Garapati
Co-Science Director
Sriram is a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Mathematics and Paleontology. In college, Sriram's goals entail continuing learning skills that will be helpful in his future career, researching the effects of ketone bodies in end-stage renal disease and steroid preservation in proboscidean tusks, and participating in many different extracurriculars (such as MSBT). He also is applying to medical schools. After college, he hopes to become a physician and pursue research in cardiology or ophthalmology. He joined MSBT to meet peers in BME and similar majors, learn more about engineering biological systems, and gain significant research experience in topics and ideas not investigated in his other research experiences.
Joel Groves
Co-Science Director
Joel is a junior majoring in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology. He joined MSBT to gain career insights and experience in the medical and laboratory setting. After college he plans to pursue a career in medicine. He joined MSBT because he feels it is a great opportunity to have control over a research project as an undergrad and gain insight into experimental troubleshooting. He is motivated by the opportunity to be hands-on with all aspects of a research project.
Sashider Rajesh
Co-Science Director
Sashider is a senior majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Statistics. His goals for college are to explore new endeavors within and outside of science and get more comfortable with public speaking roles and presentations. After graduation, he hopes to attend medical school and pursue primary care through pediatrics or family medicine. He joined MSBT because he really liked the idea of being part of a student-run wet-lab team that thought of their own projects and guided their own understanding of the project idea. It felt like MSBT was running its own research lab, which piqued his interest.
Aditi Ganesan
Co-External Affairs Director
Aditi is a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Biological Engineering and use synthetic biology to approach biomedical challenges. In college, Aditi hopes to explore her interests in research and innovation. Aditi joined MSBT because she liked the idea of student-led research and collaboration aimed at tackling real world issues.
Grace Lombardo
Co-External Affairs Director
Grace is a junior majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in French and Francophone Studies. Her goals in college are to gain a variety of experiences in research and further develop her presentation and science communication skills. After college, she plans to pursue a PhD in a biomedical science field. She joined MSBT to learn about the intersections between biology and engineering and collaborate with other undergraduates on an impactful project.
Jaclyn Carrannanto
Internal Affairs Director
Jaclyn is a senior majoring in Biochemistry. Her goals for finishing her degree are to write an honors thesis about her research in analytical chemistry. After college, she plans to work in the biotechnology industry before pursuing a postgraduate degree. Jaclyn joined MSBT because it was a great way to get research experience and be involved in local synthetic biology projects ran by fellow students
Noah Black
Computational Modeling Chair
Noah is a junior majoring in Biophysics. His college goals are to “survive and (possibly) thrive.” He plans to pursue a PhD after completing his undergraduate degree in the field of materials. He currently does research in using FTIR to determine protein secondary structure content in the Bio-Inspired Materials lab. He joined MSBT because he is excited by research in the field of synthetic biology.
Henry Zhang
Technology Chair
Henry is a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry and Biophysics. Henry's goals for finishing their degree are to develop a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of life. After college, Henry plans to pursue a postgraduate degree. Henry joined MSBT because it was a great way to connect with like-minded peers who share a passion in synthetic biology.
Schuyler Byrn
Co-Finance Director
Schuyler is a third-year majoring in Chemistry and Mathematics. He will be studying abroad next semester, and then hopes to continue his research in computational biochemistry and medicinal chemistry as he finishes up his Chemistry and Mathematics elective courses. After graduating, he plans on pursuing a PhD in Chemistry, most likely focusing on computational and physical chemistry. He joined MSBT because he wanted to meet other undergraduates interested in research and to be a part of a biochemistry research oriented project team.
Brady Braund
Co-Finance Director & Social Chair
Brady is a senior majoring in Neuroscience. His goal for his degree is to finish his patent on a product for people with quadriplegia and his research paper. After collage, he plans to work at the hospital and continue research before pursuing a medical degree. Brady joined MSBT because it was a great way to get research experience and meet others who are passionate about biological and engineering research.
Haniya Farooq
Graphic Design Chair
Haniya is a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering. By the time she finishes college, she intends to publish as a primary author on her membrane proteomics software and research, as well as complete Math and Computer Science minors. She then plans on pursuing a PhD in a cellular biology related field. She joined MSBT to gain more experience with designing and executing synthetic biology research projects, as she wishes to work in a similar subject in the future.
Team Members
Allison Myers
Allie is a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry. Her goals for finishing her degree are to present her research in RNA Biomedicine. After college, she plans to pursue a post-graduate degree in genetics and work in biotechnology research. Allison joined MSBT because it is a great way to pursue research and make positive change in the community through science.
Amita Gowda
Amita is a junior majoring in Data Science. Her goal for college is gaining more experience doing research in machine learning. After college, she plans to work in the biotech industry within the technology sector. Amita joined MSBT because it was a good way to get computational experience and contribute to a project that impacts local issues.
Aryan Kini
Aryan is a junior majoring in Computer Engineering. His goal for finishing his degree is to learn more about computer architecture and machine learning so he can apply it to his current research, which is gene expression in cancer. Aryan joined MSBT because he was really interested in working with other computer science students also interested in biology.
Avi Patel
Avi is a sophomore majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology as well as Public Health. His goals include earning a dual degree between the University of Michigan's School of Public Health and school of Literature, Arts, and the Sciences and engaging in on campus research into the formation of biofilms. After graduation, he plans to attend a medical school with a combined MD and MPH program. Avi joined MSBT to expand his research experience while contributing to making a difference in his community.
Chaitra Moolaveesala
Chaitra is a senior majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Her goals for finishing her degree include writing an honors thesis about her research on biofilm formation in uropathogenic E. coli. After college, she plans to pursue a PhD in molecular or microbiology. Chaitra joined MSBT because she wanted to use her skills to collaborate with other students on a synthetic biology project benefitting the local community.
Hania Timek
Hania is a sophomore majoring in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Science with minors in Statistics and Spanish. For the remainder of her college experience, she hopes to fully immerse herself in the sphere of synthetic biology research, which she enjoys pursuing as a research assistant and a member of MSBT. After college, Hania aims to gain research experience abroad before applying for a post-doctoral degree. She joined MSBT in order to meet like-minded individuals and gain more research experience.
Harini Ram
Harini is a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry. Her goals for college include writing an honors thesis about her research on physiologically relevant 3D models of ovarian cancer for studying disease progression. After college, she plans to attend an MD/PhD program and do immuno-oncology and drug discovery research. Harini joined MSBT because she wanted to get involved in the designing and hypothesizing of an independent research project and meet other students passionate about science.
Leah Jankoska
Leah is a current 3rd year undergraduate student studying Biochemistry. Alongside Biochemistry, she studies Statistics and French. Her goal in college is to complete an honors thesis in the biochemistry department. After graduation, she is planning to pursue a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and pursue a Ph.D. eventually. Leah joined MSBT to join a group of like-minded student scientist and get experience in more research and experimental design.
Mahadev Josyabhatla
Mahadev is a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Materials Science and Engineering. His goals for university are to finish up his senior design project and present his research at a few upcoming conferences. After college, he plans to hopefully attend medical school and get involved in clinical research as a cardiologist. Mahadev joined MSBT to work alongside students with the same interests and gain experience working in a student-run research team.
Malik Alabbas
Malik is a sophmore majoring in Biochemistry and Biophysics with a minor in Math. His goals are to finish his undergraduate degree and pursue an MD/PhD or PhD in Chemistry/Chemical Biology. Malik joined MSBT because it was a great way to get involved with synthetic biology research and connect with other undergraduates who are also passionate about research and science.
Mihika Rayan
Mihika is a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Computer Science. Her goals for college include exploring various pathways in BME through classes, extracurriculars, and research. She aims to understand more about the factors that affect how diagnostic and therapeutic agents reach affected communities. Currently, she plans to attend grad school after college and work in industry under drug discovery, cancer biology, or regenerative medicine. Mihika joined MSBT to get involved in a student-run lab experience in the context of medical equity.
Minha Kim
Minha is a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering. Her current goal is to make a positive impact on society through her research in tissue engineering and immunology. Her plan after graduation is to continue research in the biotech industry after completing a one-year Master’s program at the University of Michigan. Minha joined MSBT to explore the field of synthetic biology and contribute to the local community through the Bioxane project.
Nikhil Myers
Nikhil is a junior majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology with a minor in Statistics. By the end of college, he hopes to write an honors thesis about his microbiology/molecular biology research. He plans to pursue a PhD in a biology-related field and eventually work in industry on the application of synthetic biology to environmental problems. He became involved in MSBT to have the opportunity to complete a research project with a group of friends and have fun at iGEM!
Saad Alrazzi
Saad is a sophomore studying Electrical Engineering and Biochemistry. After college, he plans to pursue an MD-PhD, with a research emphasis on biosensor applications. Saad joined MSBT because it offered an opportunity to apply computational modeling techniques to interesting applications as well as gain research experience in the basic sciences.
Temmie Yu
Temmie is a sophomore double majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Philosophy on the pre-med track. Her goal for college is to complete an honors thesis regarding her research on sleep states and memory consolidation. After college, she hopes to attend medical school and become a plastic surgeon. Temmie joined MSBT to pursue her love of research and contribute to projects which benefit her community.
Vamsi Gollapalli
Vamsi is a senior majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. His goals for college include completing his degree and participating in multiple intramural sports. After college, he plans to attend medical school to become a physician. Vamsi joined MSBT because he wanted to get involved with synthetic biology projects revolving around public health issues and collaborate with like minded students.
Xuan An Le
An is a senior in Biomedical Engineering. He aims to narrow down his research interests and build necessary skills during college as well as pursue a few hobbies on the side. After graduation, he plans to go into a graduate program in regeneration before committing to either academia or industry. An joined MSBT because he believed it was a great gateway into biology research with high applicability.
Yashwanth Bajji
Yash is a sophomore majoring in Biophysics. His goals are to continue undergrad research and then get his degree, along with a possible humanities minor. His plans after graduation are either to attend an MD/DO program or attend graduate school in some biological field. Yash joined MSBT because he had experience with research and wanted to do more independent work along with peers of the same age and experience.
Advisors
Kareem Aboulhosn
Kareem is a PhD student in Chemical Biology at the University of Michigan. After his PhD he plans to be a professor/PI. He joined MSBT because he loves research and helping undergraduates achieve their science and career goals.
Marcus Ammerlaan
Dr. Marcus Ammerlaan is a lecturer in Program in Biology at the University of Michigan. He earned his PhD in Microbiology from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Ammerlaan has been the PI for Michigan iGEM since 2010.