Who We Are

Abby Hill

Dry Lab, Human Practices, Wet Lab

Abby is starting her third year of a BSc Hons degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She is a member of the Wet Lab, Dry Lab, and Human Practices teams. She is invested in community outreach and science communication to encourage youth to get involved in STEM fields. She helps plan outreach events with the Human Practices team and interviews stakeholders to get feedback on our project. She’s also dedicated to learning new laboratory techniques and practicing scientific writing and research. Beyond iGEM, Abby enjoys reading fluffy romance books, figure skating, and camping

Alycia Johnson

Ad/Fi Lead, Wet lab

Alycia is in her final year of a general science degree with a Biological Science major. She is a member of the Wet Lab team and a co-lead of the Administrative and Finance team. She assists the team in terms of managing finances, obtaining sponsorships, and working in the lab. She loves applying her passion for synthetic biology and genetics in the lab, as well as working to find project funding to support the lab initiatives. Outside of iGEM she is interested in Diabetes research, having assisted on research of type 1 onset precursor markers in pancreas cells. Beyond science she loves playing the guitar, reading, running, and going to the beach.

Amy Wang

Dry Lab, Media, Wet Lab

Amy is wrapping up her first year, pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Biology. She is actively involved in the iGEM team, contributing to the wet lab, media, wiki, and software teams. In the lab, Amy is dedicated to both experimental work and data analysis, ensuring smooth integration of software and biological components. Her involvement spans across managing the team’s online presence, updating the wiki with crucial project information, and supporting media outreach efforts. Outside of iGEM, Amy dedicates her time to volunteering at various clubs and organizations, such as SJA, Capital Care and Project Care.

Annie Tang

Wet Lab, Human Practices Lead

Annie is a final year Immunology student and part of the Wet Lab and HP teams. She has an interest in genetic engineering and sustainability, and is currently spending most of her time in meetings (or doing the planning for them) as well as in the iGEM lab. As a Lead for Human Practices, she coordinates and conducts interviews with research and industry experts to improve our project. Her role also connects with the local community for educational initiatives and fundraisers. Additionally, she creates figures and social media content. Outside of iGEM, she grows muscle cells and studies stroke markers in labs, but when free enjoys being outdoors and damaging her own muscle cells. She cannot be convinced that agarose gels and nata de coco look different.

Anthony Shin

Combined Lab Lead

Anthony recently graduated with a B.Sc. Honours in Biochemistry from the University of Alberta. He is convinced of the limitless potential of biological engineering at the genetic and molecular level and is determined to use it to solve the world's most pressing issues. He brings two years of research experience to the iGEM UAlberta team, with primary backgrounds in structural proteomics and mutagenesis. Within the team, he plays a direct role in designing, executing, and troubleshooting laboratory experiments. He frequently assists team members in experiments while training them in certain molecular biology techniques. Outside of iGEM, Anthony is currently researching female endocrinology and developing a novel continuous hormone monitoring system at an industrial lab. In his free time, he is a competitive sabre fencer and enjoys playing the guitar.

Ashwin Anand

Dry Lab, Media, Wet Lab

Ashwin is entering his fourth year in a BSc Biochemistry degree. He is intrigued by the endless possibilities of genetic engineering, which motivates him to work tirelessly as a Wet Lab member, performing various techniques and using his academic background to assist others in the lab. In addition to working in the lab, he is also part of the Media team, aiding in video editing and capturing photos. His desire to learn while improving the world around him motivates him to be a valuable member of iGEM. During leisure time, Ashwin tries to lead an active lifestyle by doing Thai boxing, basketball, and weight training. He also enjoys gaming, skateboarding, and having constant existential crises.

Audrey Johnson

Ad/Fi Lead, Dry Lab, Wet Lab

Audrey is entering her fourth and final year of a BSc Hons in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. She loves iGEM’s interdisciplinary nature and appreciates the opportunity to work with so many talented people on a topic she’s passionate about. Audrey is excited to apply all the knowledge she has gained through many genetics courses to this project, though she spends most of her time supporting ReneWool’s administrative functions, ensuring deadlines are met and deliverables are delivered. In her free time, she enjoys playing music, doing puzzles, and memorizing every country in the world.

Austin Pirie

Dry Lab, Human Practices, Wet Lab

Austin is a 4th year student in the biological sciences. He specializes in cellular biology and has an interest in the genetic mechanisms behind cell activities. Austin is motivated in the lab and is interested in perfecting laboratory techniques. He places an emphasis on understanding the design behind lab work in order to approach experiments in an efficient manner. Eventually, he hopes to use his skills to pursue research on inherited disabilities. Outside of academics, Austin enjoys water polo and playing classical guitar to pass the time.

Brittany Green

Dry Lab Lead, Software Practices Lead

Brittany is entering her fifth and final year of a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Bioinformatics. As the team lead for both the Dry Lab and Software Practices teams, she coordinates parts research, project design, and the integration of synthetic biology with computing science for software development. Passionate about microbiology and synthetic biology for industrial applications, Brittany is a perfect fit for iGEM.

Christos Gallegos Somatopoulos

Wet Lab

Christos is a 3rd year student specializing in immunology. He is passionate about science with keen interest specifically in genetics and virology. Interest in gaining experience with genetic engineering and practices drove Christos to join the IGEM wet lab. Outside of the lab he enjoys reading and cooking.

Cody McCloy

Ad/Fi, Wet Lab, Dry Lab

Cody is entering his third year of undergraduate studies with his degree in Honors Biochemistry. He is passionate about being involved in active research using genetic engineering to combat environmental damage. He is found in the lab, learning and assisting with experiments and the dry lab helping research for the team. Additionally Cody is also in the Administrative and Finance team learning the ins and outs of admin and writing grant applications. In Cody’s free time he enjoys reading, gaming, going to the gym, and having a slight obsession with Star Wars.

Dev Patel

Human Practices

Dev is entering his fourth year of a Bachelor of Science degree, double majoring in Biology and Psychology. As a dedicated member of the Human Practices team, he has been primarily focused on establishing connections with community organizations that show strong alignment with the mission of iGEM. This includes extensive research on spider silk companies. Beyond his academic and project-related commitments, Dev enjoys playing basketball, going to the gym, and embarking on road trips to explore new places.

Ian Harding

Software Practices, Wiki

Ian is entering his final year of Computing Science. He works in both the wiki and software teams, providing functionality, styling, and design. Outside of school, Ian has set up concerts across Edmonton for a couple of years. He is also passionate about game development and design and is working towards publishing a title on Steam. In his free time, he also likes to play sports, read fantasy books, and play video games.

Joy Cao

Wet Lab

Joy is entering her second year of BSc Honours in Biochemistry. Her passions in synthetic biology and molecular biology spark her interest in participating in the IGEM wet lab team. She is inspired by the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in an innovative way that can make meaningful impacts in the community around her. Beyond IGEM, she enjoys discovering new music and watching shows.

Joy Jia

Media Lead

Joy Jia is pursuing a Bachelor of Design, Engineering Route, graduating in 2026. Previously an Immunology student, she switched majors after discovering her passion for engineering and design. As the media team lead for ReneWool, Joy is proficient in Adobe Suite and established the visual identity, including color palettes and logos, as well as managing social media and producing promotional and presentational videos. She also contributes to the Wiki team's website aesthetics and illustrations. Currently, Joy also works as a marketing specialist at the Fred Otto DiscoverE Program in the UAlberta Engineering department and designs for OMAM Collected, a company based in Edmonton. Having been the dodgeball liaison for two years in Lister, Joy looks forward to playing dodgeball with her friends in Campus Cup 2024.

Katya Moroziuk

Human Practices

Katya is entering her fourth year of BSc in Biological Sciences and is a member of the Human Practices iGEM team. She is passionate about learning new concepts within biological fields, sharing these findings and inspiring others to grow their own interests within the sciences. She is able to pursue this passion through the outreach efforts in schools and interviews with experts conducted by the human practices team. Beyond iGEM, Katya is a certified lifeguard that enjoys connecting with her Ukrainian community and culture, and also has a deep interest in fantasy books, movies, and games.

Kian Kyars

Software Practices

Kian is pursuing his undergraduate degree in Computer Science. In his free time, he enjoys cycling and running. Traveling and language learning are also two of his main passions. He also participates in a few volunteer organizations such as USchool. USchool brings schools from disadvantaged areas to the UofA so that elementary students can have the opportunity to see what universities are like and increase their chances of pursuing post-secondary education.

Nathan Correia

Software Practices

Nathan is in his 2nd last year of a computer science after degree and was previously in Mechanical Engineering. Nathan has put his efforts in IGEM towards the software practices portion of the project, allowing an easy way to interact with biological models as well as predict the desired outputs of a given culture of bacteria. In his free time, Nathan enjoys activities such as pickleball, video games, and rock climbing. As well as IGEM, Nathan is spending his time working on game development and is working towards launching a steam game.

Neethu Dax

Combined Lab Lead, Human Practices

Neethu is a recent graduate of an Honors Biochemistry degree at the University of Alberta. Passionate about synthetic biology, she co-leads the combined wet and dry lab teams,focusing on designing and developing the ReneWool project and parts required. In the lab, she is enthusiastic about learning new laboratory techniques and applies her knowledge in performing various genomic and proteomic techniques. As a part of the software team, she helps in modeling metabolic pathways and the interconnection required for the ReneWool project. She is also part of the human practices where she contributes to educational outreach and conducts interviews with researchers and industry experts. Outside of iGEM, Neethu enjoys reading comics, learning languages and sleeping.

Nima Shariatzadeh

Wiki Lead

Nima is ReneWools' Wiki specialist. Pursuing a BSc in Computing science, he has applied his knowledge of frontend coding and design for the development of this Wiki. His responsibilities surround the functionality, look and overall design of our website. This involves consistent communication with other members for progression, feedback and re-evaluation. He seeks to use this opportunity to improve his knowledge on building and designing a website with regards to code and the evolutionary process of development for this application.

Raymond Kwok

Dry Lab, Media, Wet Lab

Raymond is entering his fourth and final year of a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. He is part of the iGEM UAlberta wet and dry lab teams as well as the media team. He enjoys applying molecular biology techniques to help with sustainability. Additionally, he is motivated to learn more about bioinformatics such as protein modeling. Beyond iGEM, Raymond studies trees and how they defend themselves from different pests and pathogens. He enjoys being outdoors, baking (and eating) cookies, and taking care of his many houseplants!

Sajjad Syed

Dry Lab, Media, Wet Lab

Sajjad is in his final year as an undergraduate student at the University of Alberta, completing a Bachelor of Science with a double major in biological sciences and psychology. He is interested in learning more about synthetic biology and how it can help to solve current world issues with sustainability in mind. He has had a focus on genomic and proteomic techniques through his undergrad, and has had some hands-on experience before joining iGEM. Within our team, Sajjad works primarily in the lab and assists with dry lab tasks as well. He also assists the media team in promoting our project. Outside of iGEM, Sajjad’s work focuses on the intersection of genetics and neuropsychology. He enjoys exploring the beautiful natural landscapes of Alberta, through hiking, camping, and fishing.

Venus Patel

Human Practices Lead, Wet Lab

Venus is entering her final year of a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in the Biological Sciences and minoring in Chemistry. She’s a Wet Lab team member and the Human Practices (HP) team lead, balancing her time between doing lab work, outreach, and conducting interviews with textile science experts. Venus thrives on connecting with the community, having planned and executed educational initiatives at schools and organized fundraisers for the iGEM UAlberta 2024 team. She’s also spearheaded partnerships with industry experts and local organizations like the HECOL Repair Café and Future Energy Systems. Outside of her work in iGEM, she enjoys hiking along the Edmonton River Valley, engaging in friendly badminton matches, and snowboarding in the winter (while trying not to fall over).

Youssef Mohamed

Human Practices, Wet Lab Lead

Youssef is beginning his third year of a BSc program double majoring in Biological Sciences and Psychology. He is a part of the Human Practices team and is the Wet Lab Lead, focusing on team organization, project management, safety training and certifications. He has a passion for science and teamwork, meaning his involvement in his iGEM team is a perfect fit. Outside of iGEM, Youssef is an undergraduate member of the Climate Change Microbiology Lab (where Renewool is held), and a City of Edmonton Lifeguard. When he isn’t working he enjoys spending time reading, at the gym, and especially sleeping.

Fabian Rondon

Advisor

Fabian is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Biological Sciences working with Genome-Scale Metabolic Models of methanotrophic bacteria. As an advisor for Software Practices, he is particularly interested in the metabolic engineering aspect, where the team utilizes Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) to theoretically optimize E. coli cultivation conditions, which pushes the boundaries of synthetic biology to create impactful, real-world applications. Along with being a scientist, Fabian is a pianist with a deep appreciation for Latin jazz and salsa music. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing strategic games like Age of Empires and delving into the world of cinema, history, and philosophy.

Maryssa Iacobelli

Advisor

Maryssa is a first year MSc student in the department of biological sciences where she is working on adapting a methylotrophic bacteria to low pH conditions to improve its capacity for use in industry. Before starting her master’s, she also worked in biotechnology. Passionate about outreach and science communication, she is mainly focused on helping with the human practices portion of iGem.

Neel Patel

Advisor

Neel just completed this Bachelors of Science from UAlberta. He is passionate about using technology to make everyday life better and easy. He is also a previous student team member of the UAlberta iGEM team, having traveled to Paris for the 2023 competition. After competing in the 2023 iGEM season, Neel was excited to return to the 2024 team as an advisor focusing on the wiki, to help continue and foster the legacy of iGEM at UAlberta. Outside of academics, Neel has a love of hiking and biking.

Nina Deschner

Advisor

Nina is a recent Graduate from the University of Alberta earning a Bachelor of Science Specializing in Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Microbiology and Biotechnology, with her research focusing on developing genetic engineering strategies in methanotrophic bacteria. Nina previously participated in iGEM as the director of the laboratory for the 2023 UAlberta iGEM team, which solidified her love for synthetic biology. Nina was excited to return to the 2024 UAlberta iGEM team acting as an advisor focusing on mentoring the laboratory team. She firmly believes in the transformative power of synthetic biology and is passionate about helping students discover the joy of using molecular biology as a tool. When she’s not in the lab, Nina enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, hosting parties, and going on weekend adventures.

Rachael Rieberger

Advisor

Rachael is a recent graduate of the University of Alberta with a BSc in Biological Sciences with a Specialization in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, as well as a Research Certificate in Science. She is also a previous student team member of the UAlberta iGEM team, having traveled to Paris for the 2023 competition. Rachael is currently working towards achieving a Master in Microbiology and Biotechnology also at the University of Alberta working in the area of climate change microbiology. After competing in the 2023 iGEM season, Rachael was excited to return to the 2024 team as an advisor focusing on Administration and Finance, to help continue and foster the legacy of iGEM at UAlberta. Outside of academics, Rachael has a love of baking and trying new complex recipes.

Soren Skaret

Advisor

Soren is a recent graduate of the UofA with a BSc in biological sciences and chemistry. During his undergrad he participated in iGEM and other research projects focused on climate change. As someone who loves continuing education, Soren is working at the UofA in a student recruitment position. Moreover, aligning with his love of education and community involvement, he is advising the human practices section of this years iGEM team.

Dr. David Stuart

Primary PI

Dr. David Stuart holds a PhD in Biochemistry and serves as a professor and graduate coordinator at the University of Alberta. He is a passionate advocate for student growth and guides the UAlberta iGEM team by encouraging creativity and breaking disciplinary barriers. Through iGEM, he aims to nurture imaginative thinkers who can tackle present and future challenges with ingenuity.

Dr. Marina Lazic

Secondary PI

Dr. Lazic a holds PhD in Microbiology and Biotechnology obtained at UofA in 2022. In addition, Dr. Lazic graduated with BSc in Molecular Biology and holds 3 MSc degrees with 2 in molecular biology and 1 in genetic plant breeding and seeds. Dr. Lazic’s main area of interest is climate change mitigation while her research focuses on utilisation of microbes in prevention of GHG emissions and reduction of plastic waste release. Currently Dr. Lazic serves as an instructor at UofA and supervises master students in addition to the iGEM role. Outside of academic life, Dr. Lazic is a dedicated mother with her time focused on her son and husband.