Trainees

Joy Armendariz (Biochemistry)

Falke Lab

Hannah Arthur

Chelsea Drown

Chelsea is a second year in the Niswander lab. She is using iPSCs to help uncover protein-RNA interactions during brain development. Outside of lab she enjoys reading, running, and skiing.

Jason Flint

Jason is a second-year MCDB graduate student at the Leinwand Lab, where his research revolves around muscle protein dynamics in both cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues, utilizing mouse models and human iPSCs. Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoys swimming, indulges in anime and video games, and values spending time with family and friends.

Rachel Gessner (MCDB)

Voeltz Lab

Maxwell Keller (Biochemistry)

Spencer Lab

Erin O'Connor (she/her)

Erin is a 2nd year MCDB graduate student in the Brumbaugh Lab where she studies histone modifications and cell fate. She graduated with a B.A. in Biology and Spanish from Colgate University and then worked as a research assistant for 3 years before starting grad school. Out of the lab, she loves hiking, skiing, ultimate frisbee, dogs, and live music.

Chris Ozeroff

Dowell and Allen Lab

Michael Shiferaw

I am a PhD student in Dr. Su's lab. My research focuses on understanding the impact of X-ray radiation on cell behavior, with a particular emphasis on cell fate change and cell migration. My objective is to elucidate the mechanisms behind radiation-induced unidirectional cell migration by mapping cellular receptor-ligand signaling pathways that dictate this directionality. For my studies, I employ Drosophila wing discs. Currently, I am in the process of investigating differentially expressed genes for subsequent functional testing and further characterization.

David Vaisar

David completed his undergraduate degree in biochemistry and a minor in applied mathematics at the University of Washington, where he worked with Liangcai Gu at the Institute for Protein Design, screening and identifying nanobodies for photoswitchable protein dimerization. He then investigated integrin linked kinase (ILK) in pancreatic islet cells, and the effect of its deletion on cell communication, secretion, and potential diabetes phenotypes. He currently studies the mechanism of selection and in parallel on the possible identification of a unique cellular response to conformation selective ERK inhibitors using NMR methods, HDX-MS, omic approaches, and cell biology.

Sashi Weerawarana

I'm a 3rd year Biochemistry graduate student in the Luger lab where I study mitochondrial genome organization. Outside of the lab, I enjoy biking, skiing, swimming and playing water polo. 

Ashley Azadeh (she/her) 

Ashley is a 3rd year MCDB graduate student in the Copley Lab where she studies the intracellular localization of proline biosynthesis enzymes in bacteria. In addition to science, she loves sports, video games, rap, and good food. 

Olivia Joyner (she/her)

Olivia is in Ed Chuong’s lab. She received her B.S. in Biotechnology from California State University, San Marcos. In the Chuong lab she studies how alternative splicing and coding variants contribute to immune dysregulation. In her spare time, she likes to rollerskate, run, and hang out with her reptiles and cat.

Shamira Gonzalez

I am a 3rd year biochemistry graduate student and I am currently in the Goodrich/Kugel lab. My project is on target identification of muscle specific miRNA (myomiRs) and determining the mechanistic function of myomiRs in myogenesis. I enjoy dancing, exploring nature, and I have 6 cats!

Autumn Matthews

Autumn Matthews is a third year Biochemistry graduate student in the Alex Whiteley Lab, where she studies the localization and nucleic acid binding properties of a virus-like protein. She graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Chemistry and minors in Biology and Mathematics. Outside of the lab, Autumn loves playing kickball, baking, playing board games, and going on hikes and picnics!

Tanner Peltier (He/Him/His)

Tanner is in Greg Odorizzi’s lab. He received his B.Sc. in Biology at Northern State University and M.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences at Iowa State University. In the Odorizzi lab, he studies endosomal sorting complex transporting (ESCRT-III) in S. Cerevisiae. He enjoys quiet nights, late nights out, and everything in between.

Daniella Ugay (she/her)

Daniella is a 3rd year biochemistry graduate student in the Wuttke Lab. She studies transcription factors that bind RNA and the role of this interaction on transcriptional regulation. She enjoys traveling, good food, bubble tea, and not playing board games.

Ryan Sayegh (he/him)

Ryan is a 3rd year PhD student in MCDB. He joined the Aaron Whiteley research group in biochemistry and focuses on predatory bacteria and prey interactions. Outside of his PhD Ryan enjoys cooking and going on hikes.

Jessica Song (she/her)

Jessica is a 3rd year biochemistry graduate student in the Kasinath and Cech labs. She studies the interactions of DNA methyltransferases with chromatin. Outside of lab, Jessica loves pasta, baking, skiing, and yoga.

Nate Hamel (he/him)

PhD candidate in the Luger Lab

I study how histone and histone like proteins from non-eukaryotic domains of life behave and interact with DNA. I use a combination of structural and biophysical techniques along with good “old-fashioned” biochemistry in the lab to to address the question of where histones may have come from. I am originally from Oregon so being in Colorado still allows me to enjoy skiing, biking, and being outside when I am not in the lab. I came to CU Boulder after doing my undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Southern Oregon University where I worked on potential anti-cancer natural products produced by the Oregon Grape.

Kristyn Hayashi 

Kristyn graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2012 with a B.S. in Molecular & Cellular Biology. Her undergraduate research in Dr. Blake Hill’s lab focused on mitochondrial fission proteins. Before joining the Biochemistry department at CU Boulder, Kristyn worked at the biotech company AbbVie (formerly Stemcentrx) developing antibody drug conjugates for cancer therapy. As a third-year graduate student in the Ahn lab, Kristyn studies MAPK signaling thresholds using phosphoproteomics and mass spectrometry. Outside of the lab, she loves snowboarding in the winter and hiking in the summer.

Andrea Ordonez

Andrea is an MCDB graduate student in Edward Chuong’s lab where she studies the evolution of immune signaling regulation. She works with unconventional species like bats and cows to see how they have evolved different regulatory networks in immune responses, compared to humans. She received her BA in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley and her MSc degree in human molecular genetics from Imperial College London. Andrea is an international student from Ecuador and enjoys scuba diving, traveling the world, and learning the Colorado lifestyle (hiking, biking, skiing, etc.).

Mika Nevo (MCDB)

Brumbaugh Lab

Miranda Juarros

I am a 3rd year Biochemistry student in Leslie Leinwand's lab where I study regression of cardiac hypertrophy.  I graduated from the University of New Mexico with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Psychology.  When I am not in the lab, I enjoy hanging out with my dogs and going on outdoor adventures.

Julia Roberts (Biochemistry)

Alex Whiteley Lab

Brianna Fernandez (Biochemistry)

Spencer Lab

Whitney Bergman is a Biochemistry graduate student in Dr. Marcelo Sousa’s Lab, where she studies the beta-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex’s role in outer membrane protein biogenesis in gram-negative bacteria. She graduated in 2019 from Washburn University with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology. Among many things, Whitney enjoys cycling, reading classics, and painting in her free time.

Briana Aboulache is a Biochemistry student in Karolin Luger's Lab, where she researches SMARCAD1, a chromatin remodeler that facilitates chromatin access by sliding and ejecting nucleosomes. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2017 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. After graduating, Briana worked as an EMT, a substitute teacher, and a research associate in Dr. Vern Schramm’s Lab studying Clostridium difficile. When not pipetting, Briana enjoys listening to way too many podcasts, trying to get people to buy an Instant Pot because it’s amazing (you should too!), and sipping a quality cup of tea

 Mitchell Leih is a MCDB graduate student in Greg Odorizzi’s Lab, where he studies how mutations in the AP-3 complex can lead to the missorting of intracellular cargo. He graduated with his B.S. in Biology from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2017 and continued his professional development at Vanderbilt Medical Center from 2017-2019. When he can, he likes to get outside, backpack and go fishing.

Humza Ashraf is a fourth-year Biochemistry graduate student in the lab of Dr. Sabrina Spencer. He received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne in 2017. In the Spencer lab he studies the relationship between quiescence depth and irreversible cell-cycle arrest. He spends his free time listening to music and not playing board games.

David Engelhardt is a fourth-year MCDB graduate student in the lab of Dr. Lee Niswander. He received his B.S. in Biochemistry from Texas State University in 2015 and worked in private industry for two years before coming to CU. In the Niswander lab he studies gene-environment interactions, specifically the role of folic acid in neural tube closure. He spends his free time playing with his two young children.

Theodore Ewachiw is a fourth-year MCDB graduate student in Dr. Brad Olwins lab, where he is studying the formation and role of myo-granules in skeletal muscle. In 2013, he graduated from Towson University where he earned his B.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics. Following graduation, he worked as a tech for four years before deciding to attend graduate school. Outside of the lab, Theodore enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife, enjoying the mountains, and painting.

Megan Mitchell received her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of South Carolina in 2016. She is a fifth-year Biochemistry graduate student in the lab of Dr. Marcelo Sousa. Here, she studies the role of the beta-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) in gram-negative bacteria outer-membrane protein biogenesis using both single molecule and in vivo techniques. In her free time, Megan loves to run and explore the great outdoors.

Yao Rong is a fifth-year MCDB graduate student in the lab of Dr. Sabrina Spencer. Yao attended Jiangnan University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Engineering in Biological Engineering in 2013 and her M.S. with an emphasis in Glycobiology in 2016. In the Spencer lab, Yao is currently studying how the control of proliferation versus quiescence is regulated by nutrient signaling. Outside of the lab, she enjoys painting, calligraphy and listening to R&B songs.

Alli Schier received her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of  Massachusetts Amherst in 2017. She is now a fourth-year Biochemistry graduate student in Dr. Dylan Taajes' lab. Alli studies the structure and function of key transcription machinery. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking so she can eat more food.

Stephen Upton is a Biochemistry graduate student in Dr. Marcelo Sousa's Lab, studying outer membrane biogenesis in gram-negative bacteria. He graduated in 2016 with a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina. He then worked as a research associate in the Biopharmaceutical Development department at KBI Biopharma in Durham, North Carolina before coming to CU for graduate studies. Outside the lab he enjoys skiing too much, hiking and listening to music.

Aly Barbour is a fourth-year Biochemistry graduate student in Dr. Deborah Wuttke's Lab. She graduated from Guilford College with a B.S. in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Her research focuses on a mammalian protein complex which is vital for telomere maintenance and DNA replication, recombination and repair. Outside the lab, Aly likes to ride her bike while listening to comedy podcasts, read psychological thrillers, and sit outside.  

Dylan Iverson is a Biochemistry graduate student in the lab of Dr. Natalie Ahn. Dylan graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. In the Ahn lab, Dylan uses nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to understand the conformational exchange process associated with activation of protein kinase ERK2. Not only can he do NMR; Dylan can also speak French.

Thomas Rivas is a Biochemistry graduate student in the lab of Dr. James Goodrich and Dr. Jennifer Kugel. Tom received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Delaware in 2015. He is currently studying how herpes simplex virus 1 infection controls host cell transcription. Tom is a puzzle expert, an avid concert-goer, and a connoisseur of bad movies.

Graycen Wheeler received her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Oklahoma in 2015. She is a Biochemistry graduate student in the lab of Dr. Xuedong Liu. She studies CLPTM1L, a protein that contributes to the survival and growth of tumor cells and is transcriptionally upregulated after treatment with many commonly-used oncology therapies. In her free time, Graycen enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, making a science podcast (Buffs Talk Science), 

Trainee

Prior Degree, Institution

Mentor & Department

Training Period

Research Topic

Degree Received

Current Position

Spencer 

Biochemistry

Voeltz

MCDB

Sousa

Biochemistry

B.S., Guilford College

Wuttke

Biochemistry

Structure-function analysis of single-stranded DNA managers CTC1- STN1-TEN1 and Replication Protein A

Ahn

Biochemistry

Voeltz

MCDB

Leinwand 

MCDB

Donaldson

MCDB

Batey

Biochemistry

Adrian Ramirez

B.S., University of Arizona

Liu
Biochemistry

2014-present

Activation of Mitophagy by PINK and Parkin

Graduate Student In Training

Nicholas Hill

B.A. and B.S., University of Rochester

Cameron
Biochemistry

2015-2020

Mapping a Function/Sequence Relationship for Carboxysome Shell Proteins

Ph.D.
(Nov 2020)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Jeff Cameron, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Haoxi Wu

B.S., Sichuan University

Voeltz
MCDB

2014-2020

Polyomavirus Trafficking From Endocytic Pathways to the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Ph.D.
(Sept 2020)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Gia Voeltz, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Alison Gilchrist

B.S., Univ. of California, San Diego

Sawyer
MCDB

2014-2020

How Flaviviruses Inhibit Immune Signaling

Ph.D.
(Sept 2020)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Sara Sawyer, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Genevieve Roberts

B.S., Seattle Pacific University

Luger
Biochemistry

2017-2020

How do PARP1 and HPF1 Work Together to Transfer ADP-ribose onto Serines?

M.S.
(Aug 2020)

Applying to the "Teach For America" program to become a K-12 science teacher

Devin Tauber

B.S., Univ. of Colorado, Denver

Parker
Biochemistry

2016-2020

Cellular Signaling Events Surrounding the Induction of Cytoplasmic RNA-protein Stress Granules

Ph.D.
(July 2020)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Roy Parker, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Lauren Crisman

B.S., Eastern Michigan University

Shen
MCDB

2015-2020

Understanding the Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis

Ph.D.
(June 2020)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Jau-nian Chen, Univ. of California, Los Angeles

Jonathan Rubin

B.S., Cornell University

Dowell/Taatjes
Biochemistry

2014-2020

The Role of CDK8 Using Cortistatin A

Ph.D.
(May 2020)

Computational Biologist in Data and Analystics Dept, ArcherDX, Boulder, CO

Georgiana Salant

B.A., Williams University

Goodrich/Kugel
Biochemistry

2014-2020

Targets of miR-206 and miR-26a During Skeletal Muscle Differentiation

Ph.D.
(May 2020)

Senior Research Associate, Stem Cell Biology, Maze Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA

Dalton Buysse

B.A., St. John's University BAC, Pomona College

Odorizzi
MCDB

2014-2020

RabGTPases and Endosome Maturation

Ph.D.
(Apr 2020)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Greg Odorizzi, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Justin Moser

B.S., Pomona College

Spencer
Biochemistry

2014-2020

Single Cell Analysis of p21 and Quiescence

Ph.D.
(Apr 2020)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Sabrina Spencer, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Gretchen Wettstein (Geibel)

B.S., Chatham University

Han
Biochemistry

2015-2019

Mechanism of Muscle-Specific Regulation of Fat Storage

M.S.
(Aug 2019)

Clinical Project Manager, ERT, St. Louis, MO

Elina Ly

B.S., Univ. of Arizona

Goodrich/Kugel
Biochemistry

2013-2019

Mechanism of HMGB1-Facilitated DNA Binding by p53

Ph.D.
(Aug 2019)

Scientist I, KBI Biopharma, Boulder, CO

Lynn Sanford

B.A., Pomona College

Palmer
Biochemistry

2014-2019

Evidence, Mechanism, and Downstream Effects of Zn2+ Signaling

Ph.D.
(Aug 2019)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Robin Dowell, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Charli Fant

B.S., Transylvania Univ.

Taatjes
Biochemistry

2013-2019

Human CDK8 in RNA Polymerase II Promoter Escape

Ph.D.
(July 2019)

Senior Scientist, Zoetis Inc., Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO

Deanna Muehleman (Langager)

B.S., Univ. of Minnesota

Leinwand
MCDB

2013-2019

Signaling Pathways that Promote Regression

Ph.D.
(May 2019)

Abigail Reens

B.S., MIT

Detweiler
MCDB

2013-2019

Novel Antibiotics that Target Salmonella Replication

Ph.D.
(Apr 2019)

Postdoctoral, DuPont Merck Exploratory Science Center, Cambridge, MA

Bridget Menasche

B.A., Princeton Univ.

Shen
MCDB

2012-2018

Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis by Insulin Signaling

Ph.D.
(Sept 2018)

Temporary medical leave of absence

Melissa Hoyer (Phillips)

B.S., Univ. of Wyoming

Voeltz
MCDB

2012-2018

Effects of Calcium Signaling on Endosome Maturation

Ph.D.
(Sept 2018)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Wade Harper, Dept of Biology, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA

Joseph Cardiello

B.A., Willamette Univ.

Goodrich/Kugel
Biochemistry

2012-2018

Regulation of RNA Pol II by Noncoding RNA

Ph.D.
(Aug 2018)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Robin Dowell, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Briana Van Treeck

B.S., Univ. of New Mexico

Parker
Biochemistry

2012-2018

Protein Targeting to Ribonucleoprotein P-bodies and Stress Granules

Ph.D.
(Aug 2018)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Kathleen Collins, Univ. of California, Berkeley

Arden Doerner

B.S., Louisiana State Univ. - Baton Rouge

Sousa
Biochemistry

2013-2018

Structure and Mechanism of Bacterial Beta-barrel Outer Membrane Protein Assembly Machine

Ph.D.
(Apr 2018)

Process Development Scientist, Charles Gates Biomanufacturing, Denver, CO

Russell Burke

B.S., Oregon State Univ.

Orth
MCDB

2013-2018

Anti-cancer Effects of Inhibiting Nuclear Export

Ph.D.
(Apr 2018)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Anna Huttenlocher, Dept. of Pediatrics, Univ. of Wisconsin

Aaron Flynn

B.S., Univ. of California, San Diego

Yin
MCDB

2014-2018

The Role of Exosomes in Neuroinflammation

M.S.
(2018)

Associate Scientist II, Bluebird Bio, Seattle, WA

Benjamin Allen

B.S., Western Wash. Univ.

Taatjes
Biochemistry

2011-2017

Transcriptional Regulation by Mediator-RNA Interactions

Ph.D.
(June 2017)

Temporary family leave of absence

Eric Bunker

B.S., Evergreen College

Liu
Biochemistry

2011-2017

Using Fluorescent Nanocages to Bridge the Gap between Biology and Nanotechnology

Ph.D.
(June 2017)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Richard Youle, NIH-NINDS, Bethesda, MD

Veronica Dengler

B.A., Bates College

Espinosa
MCDB

2012-2016

Mechanisms of Transcriptional Regulation by Hypoxia-Inducible Factors

Ph.D.
(Apr 2017)

Freelance Science Writer, Boulder, CO

Lavan Khandan

B.A., Dartmouth Univ.

Junge
MCDB

2010-2017

Signaling in Mammalian Vascular Development

Ph.D.
(Apr 2017)

Scientific and Business Analyst, inThought Research, Spring Lake, NJ

Christa Trexler (Blenck)

B.S., Northern Arizona Univ.

Leinwand
MCDB

2011-2017

Estrogens and Cardiovascular Disease

Ph.D.
(Mar 2017)

Disease Area Analyst, CardioVascular Resource, Mesa, AZ

Jennifer Liddle

B.S., Western Wash. Univ.

Ahn
Biochemistry

2011-2017

Regulatory Mechanisms for the MAP Kinases ERK1 and ERK2

Ph.D.
(Mar 2017)

Mass Spectrometrist, Proteomic and Metabolomics Facility, Univ. of Connecticut, Mansfield

Samantha O'Hara

B.S., Florida State Univ.

Garcea
MCDB

2013-2016

The Role of Gangliosides in Mouse Polyomavirus Early Gene Induction

Ph.D.
(Oct 2016)

Principal Scienist, immunology Lead, Zoetis, Inc., Fort Collins, CO

Laura Marholz

B.A., Purdue Univ.

Wang
Biochemistry

2010-2015

Inhibitors of Histone Demethylases

Ph.D.
(Nov 2015)

Postdoctoral Researcher, Pfizer, Andover, MA

Li Wang

B.S., Fudan Univ.

Yi/Dowel
MCDB

2009-2015

Lineage-specific Long Non-coding RNAs in Embryonic Skin Development

Ph.D.
(Nov 2015)

Senior Computational Biologist, 10X Genomics, San Francisco, CA

Linghe Xi

Tsinghua Univ.

Cech
Biochemistry

2010-2015

RNA Regulation in Cancer

Ph.D.
(Nov 2015)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Elaine Fuchs, Rockefeller Univ., New York, NY

Tianjing Hu

B.S., Beijing Normal Univ.

Ahn
Biochemistry

2008-present

Control of Melanoma Cell Invasion by Oncogenic B-Raf

Ph.D.
(Nov 2015)

Head of Research and Development, Nanoly Bioscience, Littleton, CO

Rebecca Zabinsky

B.A., Scripps

Han
MCDB

2010-2015

Functional Analysis of miRISC Complexes

Ph.D.
(Oct 2015)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Daniel Jarosz, Stanford U., Stanford, CA

Zachary Poss

B.S., Arizona State Univ.

Taatjes
Biochemistry

2009-2015

Transcription Regulation by p53-Mediator

Ph.D
(July 2015)

Scientific Research Support, Strategic Analysis, Inc., Arlington, VA

Ely Porter

B.S., Ohio State Univ.

Batey
Biochemistry

2009-2015

Selection of Novel Aptamers Using Riboswitch Scaffolds

Ph.D.
(May 2015)

Co-Founder and Lead Scientist, RootPath Genomics, Cambridge, MA

Eric Davis

B.A., Washington & Jefferson Univ.

Shen
MCDB

2008-2015

Mechanisms of ER Stress Signaling

Ph.D.
(Mar 2015)

Bioinformatics Associate Scientist, ArcherDX, Boulder, CO

Luke Ursell

B.S., Univ. of Florida

Knight
Biochemistry

2010-2014

Signaling Between Gut Microbiota and the Host Brain

Ph.D.
(Nov 2014)

Vice President of Technology, Co-Founder of Biota Technology, San Diego, CA

Sarah McQuate

B.S., Univ. of Puget Sound

Palmer
Biochemistry

2010-2014

The Function of Salmonella Effector Proteins

Ph.D.
(Oct 2014)

Public Information Specialist and Research Writer, Univ. of Washington College of Engineering, Seattle

William Walters

B.S., Univ. of Texas, Austin

Knight
Biochemistry

2008-2014

Computational Analyses of the Human Microbiome

Ph.D.
(Aug 2014)

Postdoctoral, Lab of Ruth Ley, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tubingen, Germany

Philip Calabrese

B.S., Rutgers Univ.

Eaton
Biochemistry

2008-2014

Imaging Membrane Proteins with Gold Nanoparticles

Ph.D.
(May 2014)

Director of Quality Research and Development, Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha, Boulder, CO

Stefanie Puglielli (Stickel)

B.A., Univ. of Pennsylvania

Su
MCDB

2009-2014

Mechanisms of Radiation Induced Cell Death

Ph.D.
(Apr 2014)

Scientific Director, Envision Pharma Group, Boulder, CO

Genevieve Park

B.S., MIT

Palmer
Biochemistry

2010-2014

Biological Applications of Genetically Encoded Zinc Sensors

Ph.D.
(Mar 2014)

Residency, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Davie Medical Center, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Bermuda Run, NC

Ryan Walters

B.S., Colorado State Univ.

Goodrich/Kugel
Biochemistry

2007-2013

Mechanisms of IL2 Regulated Transcription

Ph.D.
(Dec 2013)

Executive Vice President of Research and Development, ArcherDX, Boulder, CO

Michelle Turco

B.S., Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison

Sousa
Biochemistry

2008-2014

Structure of Type III Secretion System Proteins

Ph.D.
(Nov 2013)

Science and Medical Writer, Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA

Laura Johnson

B.S., Montana State Univ.

Pardi
Biochemistry

2008-2013

Dynamic Properties of Fluorescent Single-Cell Biosensors

Ph.D.
(Nov 2013)

Group Lead, Research Scientist, ArcherDX, Boulder, CO

Leslie Morton

B.S., Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Yin
Biochemistry

2008-2013

Oligomerization of LMP1 in EBV Infection

Ph.D.
(Nov 2013)

Marketing Manager, Pfizer, Global Vaccines, New York, NY

Ian Ross

B.S., Univ. of Notre Dame

Winey
MCDB

2006-2012

Epsilon-tubulin of Tetrahymena Basal Bodies

Ph.D.
(Oct 2012)

Senior Biosystems Applications Manager, Nikon Instruments, Seattle, WA

Timsi Rao

B.S., Government PG College

Wuttke
Biochemistry

2005-2012

Structure and Function of Yeast Telomerase Proteins

Scientist III, BlueRock Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA

Stacy Erickson

B.S., Univ. of Minnesota

Lykke-Andersen
MCDB

2005-2012

mRNA Turnover and Gene Expression

Leader of Support Scientists, Illumina, San Diego, CA

Douglas Chapnick

B.A., Colgate Univ.

Liu
Biochemistry

2005-2012

Regulation of Cell Migration by TGF-beta

Founder and CEO, BioLoomics, LLC; Boulder, CO

Jonathan Friedman

B.S., Washington Univ.

Voeltz
MCDB

2007-2012

Maintenance of ER Structure and Shape

Ph.D.
(Apr 2012)

Assistant Professor, Southwestern Medical Foundation Scholar, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Tyson Vonderfecht

B.S., Hope College

Winey
MCDB

2006-2012

Ca+2 EF Hand Proteins in the Tetrahymena Basal Body

Ph.D.
(Mar 2012)

Scientist II, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Carlsbad, CA

Lisa Warner

B.S., Boise State Univ

Pardi
Biochemistry

2006-2011

Structural-Function Studies of Proteins and RNA

Ph.D.
(Dec 2011)

Assistant Research Professor, Biomolecular Research Center, Boise State Univ., Boise, ID

Jesse Zaneveld

B.S., Univ. of Oregon

Knight
Biochemistry

2005-2011

Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacterial Signaling and Effector Proteins

Ph.D
(Aug 2011)

Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences, Univ. of Washington, Bothell

Xin Geng

B.S., Fudan Univ.

Xue
MCDB

2005-2011

Identification of Suppressors of the Hepatitis B Virus X Proteins in C. elegans

Ph.D.
(May 2011)

Scientist II, Global Blood Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA

Janet McCombs

B.S., Univ. of Wisconsin

Palmer
Biochemistry

2005-2010

Localized Ca2+ Signaling: From Presenilin to Pathogen Perturbation

Ph.D.
(Nov 2010)

Assistant Professor, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA

Kasey Couts (Hammond)

B.S., Valparaiso Univ.

Ahn
Biochemistry

2004-2010

Regulation of miRNA Targets by Oncogenic B-Raf Signaling

Ph.D.
(Nov 2010)

Assistant Research Professor, Medical Oncology, Univ. of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO

Melissa Hausburg

B.A., Univ. of Northern Colorado

Olwin
MCDB

2002-2010

Role of Indian Hedgehog Signaling in Chick Limb Developmen

PhD.
(Oct 2010)

Molecular Biologist, Trauma Research, LLC; Denver, CO

Paul Templeton

B.S., Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Sousa
Biochemistry

2003-2010

Structure and Function of a Mediator of RhoA Invasion

Ph.D.
(Apr 2010)

Molecular Biologist, USDA-ARS, Albany, CA

Stacey Wagner

B.S., Lafayette College

Goodrich/Kugel
Biochemistry

2003-2009

The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Transcription

Ph.D.
(Dec 2009)

Director, Applied Bioinformatics and Genomics Master’s Program, Univ. of Oregon, Eugene

Caleb Richter

B.S., Drake Univ.

Odorizzi
MCDB

2003-2009

Deubiquitination and Trafficking of Downregulated Growth Factor Receptors

Ph.D.
(Jan 2009)

Senior Manager, Wine Analytics and Microbiology, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA

Benjamin Barthel

B.A., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Koch
Biochemistry

2003-2008

Optimizing Doxorubicin-based Anti-cancer Therapeutics

Ph.D.
(Nov 2008)

Scientist I, Edgewise Therapeutics, Boulder, CO

Natalie Patzlaff

B.S., McGill Univ.

Han
MCDB

2006-2008

Fatty Acid Metabolism and Regulation of Post-embryonic Development

M.S.
(June 2008)

Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Univ. of Wisconsin (2017). Medical Writer, Global Medical Affairs, United Therapeutic Corp, Durham, NC

Christopher Haines

B.S., Texas A&M Univ.

Leinwand
MCDB

2006-2008

Role of Sex Hormones in Cardioac Hypertrophy

M.S.
(June 2008)

Biology Instructor, Front Range Community College, Aurora, CO

Chandra Kilburn

B.S., Univ. of Calif. -Santa Cruz

Winey
MCDB

2003-2008

Identification of Basal Body Proteins in Tetrahymena

Ph.D.
(June 2008)

Senior Research Scientist, Enology, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA

Nisha Cavanaugh (Low-Nam)

B.A., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Kuchta
Biochemistry

2002-2008

Mechanisms of Herpes Simplex DNA Primase and DNA Polymerase

Ph.D.
(May 2008)

Manager, Career Development and Postdoc Programs, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, San Diego, CA

Elizabeth Luczak (Head)

B.S., Univ. of Minnesota

Leinwand
MCDB

2003-2008

The Role of CaM Kinase Signaling in Cardiac Hypertrophy

Ph.D.
(Nov 2007)

Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Eric Holinger

B.S., Worcester Polytech. Inst.

Winey
MCDB

2000-2007

Characterization of Protein Complexes Involved in TGF-Beta Signaling

Ph.D.
(Nov 2007)

Research Scientist, ArcherDx, Boulder, CO

Kristen Barthel (Bjorkman)

B.A., St. Olaf College

Liu
Biochemistry

2001-2007

The Mechanism and Biological Function of Protein Sumoylation

Ph.D.
(Oct 2007)

Research Associate, Lab of Leslie Leinwand, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Celso Espinoza

B.A., California State Univ.

Goodrich/Kugel
Biochemistry

2001-2007

Regulation of Transcription by Noncoding RNAs

Ph.D.
(July 2007)

Senior Scientist II, AbbVie, North Chicago, IL

Catherine Lozupone

M.S., Colorado State Univ.

Knight
Biochemistry

2003-2007

Global Patterns in Microbiome Diversity

Ph.D.
(May 2007)

Associate Professor, Dept of Biomedical Bioinformatics & Personalized Medicine, Univ. of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO

Sunny Gilbert

B.S., Univ. of Missouri

Batey
Biochemistry

2001-2007

Structural Studies of Ligand Binding by the Purine Riboswitch

Ph.D.
(May 2007)

Senior Aliiance Manager, ArcherDx, Boulder, CO

Darren Bates

B.S., Univ. of Northern Iowa

Chen
Biochemistry

2001-2007

Structural Studies of NFAT Complexes

Ph.D.
(Mar 2007)

Principal Scientist, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA

Sara Symons

M.A., Univ. of Colorado, Denver

Detweiler
MCDB

2003-2007

Tumor Targeting and Growth Suppression by S. Typhimurium

M.S.
(2007)

Medical Writing Manager, Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA

Tami Sivy

B.S., Calvin College

Fall
Biochemistry

1999-2006

Exploration of Isoprene Release from Bacillus subtilis by Study of the Enzyme and Pathway by Which it is Produced

Ph.D.
(Feb 2006)

Professor and Department Chair of Chemistry, Saginaw Valley State Univ., University Center, MI

Katrina Robida (Eike)

B.A., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Pace
MCDB

2003-2006

How RNase P Distinguishes Precursor and Mature tRNA

N/A
(2006)

Biological Sciences Initiaive Science Squad, Univ. of Coorado, Boulder

Tuan Nguyen

B.S., Univ. of California, Los Angeles

Goodrich/Kugel
Biochemistry

1998-2005

Synergy Between NFAT and AP-1 in Human IL-2 Activation

Ph.D.
(Dec 2005)

Research Associate, Stem Cell Biology, Univ. of Southern California

Elisabeth Solano (Roberts)

B.A., Colorado State Univ.

Ahn
Biochemistry

1999-2005

Regulation of Somatic Cell Mitosis by MAP Kinases

Ph.D.
(Nov 2005)

Director, Pharmaceutical Development, Quark Pharmaceuticals Inc., Boulder, CO

Suzanne Van Kreeveld

B.S., Univ. of California, Santa Barbara

Winey
MCDB

2000-2005

MPS1 and CDC31 Interactions

M.S.
(2005)

Univ. of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing, Aurora, CO

Michelle Emrick

B.S., Renssalaer Polytechnic Inst.

Ahn
Biochemistry

1998-2004

Characterization of Constitutively Active Mutants of ERK2

Ph.D.
(Dec 2004)

Senior Scientist, Bristol Myers Squibb, CMC ICOS, Seattle, WA

Jason Stumpff

B.S., Eckerd College

Su
MCDB

1998-2004

The Role of Drosophila Wee1 Kinase in Cell Cycle and Checkpoint Control

Ph.D.
(Nov 2004)

Assistant Professor, Dept of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Univ. of Vermont, Burlington

Diane Starrett

B.S., Richard Stockton College

Falke
Biochemistry

2001-2004

Mechanistic Studies of the Aspartate Receptor

M.S.
(2004)

Professional Research Assistant, Lab of Volker Gerke, Univ. of Münster, Germany

James Stroud

B.S., Univ. Texas Austin

Chen
Biochemistry

1998-2003

Structural Studies of NFAT Complexes

 Ph.D.
(Dec 2003)

Assistant Research Professor, Univ. of New Mexico

Eric Jensen

B.A., St. Olaf College

Klymkowsky
MCDB

1997-2003

Regulation of Wnt Signaling by a SOX Protein

Ph.D.
(May 2003)

Assistant Research Professor, Univ. of Minnesota

Joshua Bornhorst

B.A., Grinnell College

Falke
Biochemistry

1997-2002

Structure and Mechanism of the Aspartate Receptor

Ph.D.
(Nov 2002)

Associate Professor of Pathology, Univ. of Arkansas

Tanya Vega

B.S., Lehigh Univeristy

Kuchta
Biochemistry

2000-2002

Human Polymerase alpha-Primase Inhibition

M.S.
(2002)

Research Development Officer, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara