Scholars currently participating in the IQBP are studying in STEM fields across three schools and colleges.
Tristan Carmeci
Physiology & Biophysics, Lead Student of IQBP
Tristan Carmeci is a first year PhD student in the Biomedical Science Training Program in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics. He received his bachelors at the University of Portland in Oregon studying chemistry and a masters at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus studying Bioengineering. He has worked in a cardiovascular epigenetics lab at the Oregon Health & Science University while he was an undergraduate student under Dr. Fredrick Tibayan and a RNA Cryo-EM lab under Dr. Jeffery Kieft while working on his Masters. During his free time he plays guitar, goes fly fishing, travels and enjoys hiking.
Raquel Lopez de Boer
Neuroscience
Raquel Lopez de Boer is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Philippidou lab in the Neuroscience department. Raquel is originally from Spain but moved to the states to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Chemistry at Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She has previously worked in multiple labs that range from Chemistry, Cognitive Psychology, and Neuroscience/Neurobiology. She is interested in the molecular mechanism of synapse formation and maintenance in both the central and peripheral nervous systems with a focus on different disease conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Currently, she is working on furthering our understanding of how ALS pathology affects the neurons that form the respiratory circuitry and their connectivity.
Chenhui Ma
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Bio Coming Soon.
Ghazaal Tahmasebi
Biomedical Engineering
Ghazaal Tahmasebi is a PhD student at DANA lab in the neuroscience department of Lerner Research Institute at Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Her research focuses on epilepsy and large scale recording and manipulation of neurons in the living brain. The research she conducts is multidisciplinary in its nature and is a combination of cellular and molecular biology, engineering, optics and neurosciences. Ghazaal received her bachelor’s degree from Amirkabir University of Technology in her home town, Tehran – Iran, and moved to the states to pursue her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.
Keenan Hope
Neuroscience
Bio coming soon.
Akash Mody
Molecular Virology
Akash Mody is a second year PhD student in the Biomedical Science Training Program and the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology – Molecular Virology track. He received a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry and a minor in Psychology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY in 2017. He has worked in the Chemistry, Innovations, and Technologies department at Roche Molecular Diagnostics and in the Mitochondrial Biology/Biomarkers team at Mitokinin (now acquired by AbbVie). Now, Akash is working in Dr. Ge Jin's lab at MetroHealth and his research focuses on the dynamics regulating the latent and lytic phases of an oncogenic herpesvirus. In his free time, Akash enjoys long bike rides, exploring new hiking trails, and kayaking on scenic excursions. Also, he loves to play new Mario and Pokémon video games!
Lane Pierson
Molecular Virology
Lane Pierson is a second year PhD student in the Biomedical Science Training Program and the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Lane is focusing on the Molecular Virology degree track. Currently he works in Dr. Anna Bruchez's lab studying bat immunology and virology. He received his bachelors at Tulane University studying Cell and Molecular Biology. He has worked in the Center for Cellular and Molecular Diagnostics at Tulane University School of Medicine while he was an undergraduate student under Dr. Tony Hu. During his free time he enjoys kayaking, hiking, and playing video games.
Daniel Verrico
Macromolecular Engineering
Daniel Verrico is a PhD student in the Macromolecular Science & Engineering department working in the lab of Dr. Gary Wnek. Daniel’s research in the Wnek lab broadly focuses on developing polymer materials for health care and biological applications. He has led collaborations with the US Veteran’s Affairs hospital aimed at designing a novel sweat-absorbing prosthetic liner, as well as with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the US Army DEVCOM Chemical & Biological Center investigating living cell encapsulation in polymer microfibers for biocatalytic process intensification or tissue engineering applications. Daniel received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a minor in Chemical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. While there, he worked on the synthesis and characterization of sustainable polyesters in the lab of Dr. Massoud (Matt) Miri. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, concerts, playing video games, and food/wine tastings.
Sadia Marjia Ferdous
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Sadia Marjia Ferdous is a Ph.D. student in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department. She completed her B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. She has work experience of more than 4 years at the Institute of Water Modelling, Bangladesh. She is currently working at the Hegarty lab. Her research interest focuses on water quality, treatment, and environmental microbiology. She is particularly interested in understanding the role of microorganisms in improving air and water quality. Besides, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, reading, and photography.
Manish Sarkar
Biology
Bio Coming Soon.
Muhtashim Rafiq Chowdhury
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Bio Coming Soon.
Shivansh Dave
Biology
Bio Coming Soon.
Kathryn Wilcox - Graduated
Macromolecular Science and Engineering
Kathryn is a 4th year PhD student in the Macromolecular Science and Engineering department and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She completed her Bachelor's degree at Texas A&M University in Chemical Engineering. In Dr. Svetlana Morozova's lab, she investigates the elasticity of biomacromolecular assemblies. She currently serves as the Co-President of the Macromolecular Student