Meet The Team

Team Leader

Manny Vilar

My name is Manny Vilar and I'm a senior at Stony Brook. I'm majoring in Information Systems with a specialization in Health Informatics and minoring in Biology. I am one of the two team co-leaders for this year’s iGEM team. Outside of academics and iGEM, I love the outdoors and the ocean, and I play tenor saxophone for Wolfie’s Big Band on campus!

Team Leader

Dan Jian

I'm Dan Jian, a junior majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Chemistry. I'll be the other co-leader for the 2024 iGEM team. Outside of iGEM, you can find me tossing discs with the Stony Brook Ultimate Frisbee Club or volunteering with the Huntington Community First Aid Squad. I love running (when it’s not freezing), playing with my dog, and trying new things!

Outreach Sub-Group Leader

Maryam Elfeky

I'm Maryam Elfeky and I am a sophomore pursuing a double major in Political Science and Communication with a minor in Biology. I am the outreach team leader for the 2024 iGEM team. Outside of iGEM, I am the Secretary of the SBU Muslim Students’ Association and a Class Officer for the Stony Brook Seawolf Philanthropy Council. As an individual who is dedicated to advocating for marginalized communities, iGEM offers me the unique experience of combining my passions for scientific innovation and social impact. In my free time, I like reading, playing and watching soccer, photography, and making playlists.

Dry Lab Sub-Group Leader

Hua Huang

My name is Hua Huang and I’m a sophomore majoring in computer engineering. I will be the dry lab team leader for the 2024 IGEM team. I plan to enter the biotech industry, and I hope IGEM will allow me to learn more about computational biology.

Wet Lab Sub-Group Leader

Yuxuan Lin

I’m a senior majoring in Biology with a specialization in interdisciplinary biology. Aside from the iGEM wet lab team leader, I’m also a part of another lab here at Stony Brook that studies pituitary genetics and physiology. Joining iGEM gave me an opportunity to explore synthetic biology, and taught me how it can be applied in the medical field. I wish to pursue a career in pharmaceutical research in the future. Outside of iGEM, I’ve been really involved with the undergraduate colleges by being the SBU 101 seminar TA since my sophomore year. In my free time, I like naps and making crepe cakes.

Wiki Sub-Group Leader

Manas Singh

My name is Manas Singh. I'm a sophomore majoring in Computer Science. Apart from being the Wiki leader, I will be heavily involved in Dry lab. I am super excited to work on simulations and models for our project! As someone who is deeply passionate about AI and Machine Learning, I am also looking forward to applying what knowledge I have about these topics for our project, such as building a RAG ChatBot. In the future, I wish to pursue AI research, especially in the field of AGI. Outside of iGEM, I am working on an AI Project with members of the Stony Brook Robotics Team and as a Stony Brook Scholars Fellow, I will be a TA for SCH 101. I love to play video games, pool, volleyball and to hangout with friends.

Team Member

Max Gazes

My name is Max Gazes. I am a sophomore Chemistry major with a minor in Music. I'm a member of the Wet Lab, Dry Lab, Outreach, and Wiki sub-teams for this year’s iGEM project. Outside of my academic interests I volunteer for Bay Shore Brightwaters Rescue Ambulance and play bassoon for the Stony Brook University Orchestra and Huntington Community Band.

Team Member

Nadia Mathew

My name is Nadia Mathew. I am a sophomore biomedical engineering major. I am a member of the wet lab, dry lab, and wiki subgroups for this year’s iGEM team. Outside of iGEM, I am a member of the campus emergency response team and volunteer at my local pantry.

Team Member

Fritz Ebner

My name is Fritz (Lukas) Ebner. I’m a sophomore with a major in Biology and a minor in Physics. I’m a member of the Wet Lab, Wiki, Outreach, and Dry Lab subteams for the Stony Brook 2024 iGEM team. Outside of iGEM, I like to workout and kickbox.

Team Member

Wendy Zeng

My name is Wendy, a senior majoring in biology, and also a member of the Wet Lab, Dry Lab, and Wiki subgroups for the 2024 Stony Brook iGEM team. Through iGEM, I hope to learn and explore more about the ins and outs of research related to our project interests. Outside of iGEM, I am part of a lab conducting research about epigenetic regulation in cancer, and in my free time, I love to read and listen to lo-fi music.

Team Memberr

Varun Gambhir

My name is Varun Gambhir. I am a junior Biology major with an interdisciplinary concentration. I am a member of the wet lab, dry lab, outreach, and wiki subgroups of this year's iGEM team. Outside of iGEM, I volunteer at my local library and love to bike around when the weather is nice! I am also getting back into art!

Team Member

Ethan Kim

My name is Ethan Kim and I am a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry. I am a member of the Wet lab, Dry lab, and Wiki subgroups for this year’s iGEM team. Outside of iGEM, I am a graphic designer for the Korean Student’s Association and I am involved in organizations like Music and Medicine and Korean Christian Fellowship. In my free time, I enjoy doing all things music ranging from producing to playing instruments. I am currently learning how to play the piano!

Team Member

Evelyn Dong

My name is Qiongran Dong, and I also go by Evelyn. I am a sophomore majoring in biology with a minor in English. I am a member of the wet lab, dry lab, and wiki team for the 2024 SBU iGEM team. Apart from iGEM, I am also an undergraduate research assistant for a lab at Stony Brook Medicine, focusing on cancer research. Some of my interests outside of academics include playing the piano.

Team Member

Genesis Ceron

My name is Genesis Ceron. I am a junior majoring in biology. I am a member of the Wet Lab, Wiki, and Outreach subteams for this year's iGEM team. Outside of my academic pursuits, I work as a graphic designer for an Ecuadorian student cultural club, am a Chemistry teaching assistant, volunteer as an assistant coach for a high school wrestling team, and was recently elected as the PR Chair for the SBU Blood Drive Organization. Also, I love to draw!

Team Member

Jack Cui

My name is Mingrui Cui, but you can call me Jack. I am currently a rising junior majoring in Biochemistry. I am a member of the wet lab, dry lab, and wiki teams for the SBU iGEM 2024 team. On campus, I am keen on engaging in diverse experiences, including research, serving as a Chemistry Teaching Assistant, and taking on leadership roles. Beyond the campus, I actively participate in the Port Jefferson EMS team and volunteer at my local food pantry.