President: Fong Liew

I am a fourth-year PhD student in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry working in Dr. Brian Fox Lab. My research is to engineer a biochemical pathway that converts lignin degradation intermediates into precursors for industrially useful molecules such as adipic acid.

Outside of research, a fun fact about me is that I have travelled to 23 countries so far.

Treasurer: Nina Hawkins

I am a third-year PhD student in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Program working in Dr. Weiping Tang’s Lab. My research focuses on the discovery of novel small molecules for targeted protein degradation. I am involved in the evaluation of these compounds through screening and biological assay development.

Outside of research, a fun fact about me is that I taught myself to knit 3 years ago and have made over 15 clothing items since then.

Co-Fundraising and Scholarship Chair: Usha Polaki

I am a fourth-year PhD student in the Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Program working in Dr. Daniel R. Matson’s Lab. My research focuses on how the loss of GATA2 drives tumor invasion and metastasis in uterine serous carcinoma (USC), an aggressive form of endometrial cancer, with the goal of uncovering mechanisms of USC progression and identifying potential therapeutic strategies.

Outside of research, a fun fact about me is that I enjoy exploring different art styles, watching movies, and experiencing new cities through their cuisine and creative spaces.

Co-Fundraising and Scholarship Chair: Natalie González Velázquez

I’m fourth-year PhD student in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Program working in Dr. Cody Wenthur lab. I research the role of ketamine metabolites in drug-seeking behaviors. I also work with monoclonal antibody development and apply immunoassays and surface plasmon resonance to characterize their binding profiles.

My cat has learned 5 tricks!

Professional Development Chair: Amanda Allender

I’m a third-year PhD student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. Michelle Kimple’s Lab. My research focuses on the role of the G protein G alpha z in regulating functional beta-cell mass in a mouse model of Type 1 diabetes. My work spans several fields, including metabolism, endocrinology, and immunology.

Outside of research, a fun fact about me is that I love kayaking and camping, and during my time in Madison I hope to take a trip to the Apostle Islands for a kayak/camping trip around the islands.

Co-Communications Chair: Noelle Cataldo

I’m a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. Cody Wenthur and Kevin Eliceiri Lab. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the unseen world. At ten years old, I discovered my lifelong passion when I was gifted a compound light-sheet microscope to view pond water protozoa. Now, as a graduate student, I’m continuing my microscopy journey under the expert guidance of Dr. Wenthur and Dr. Eliceiri, where I use multiple fluorescent microscopy approaches to assess structural and functional changes in the brain associated with stress, learning, memory, and drug administration.

Outside of research, a fun fact about me is that I am a competitive Irish dancer for both the university and a local academy.

Co-Communications Chair: Loren López-Rivera

I am a third-year PhD student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. Randall Kimple Lab. My project focuses on developing new strategies to overcome drug resistance in cancer by understanding how targeted therapies can change the way tumor cells take up and respond to treatment, with an emphasis on tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in MET-positive cancers.

Outside of research, a fun fact about me is that I’m originally from a small town in the eastern part of Puerto Rico called Las Piedras. Its name means “The Rocks,” and it refers to the gigantic volcanic-rock formations that are scattered throughout the area.

Social Chair: Jieon Lee

I’m a fourth-year PhD student in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry working in Dr. Andre Putnam’s Lab. My research focuses on investigating the RNA-binding protein MEG-3 in early Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. MEG-3 lacks canonical RNA-binding motifs but contains a long intrinsically disordered region (IDR) that can bind RNAs nonspecifically and undergoes phase separation via its structured C-terminus. Because of its important role in cell development, I aim to understand how MEG-3 functions, forms condensates, regulates germ granules, and interacts with other granules using biochemical and imaging-based approaches.

Outside of research, a fun fact about me is that as a child I wanted to be a pâtissière (pastry chef) – and now I still ‘bake’ things in a hot oven and an autoclave.

Outreach Coordinator: Sarah Lofland

I’m second-year PhD student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. Jingshing Wu Lab. My research focuses on the  role of hyper/hypoxia on cardiac maturation and development.

Outside of research, a fun fact about me is that I I “DJed” in Madrid when I was 18.

Co-Three Minute Thesis Coordinator: Abby Vesser

I’m second-year PhD student in the Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Program working in Dr. Heather Barkholtz lab. Glucuronidation is a major metabolic pathway for opioids, benzodiazepines, and cannabinoids, producing conjugated metabolites that require hydrolysis for detection in urine drug testing. This study assesses the hydrolysis efficiency of the commercial enzyme B-One using a 13-analyte glucuronide master mix spiked into drug-free and NFOD urine. Samples were treated enzymatically and analyzed by LC-QToF to quantify conversion to free drug forms, with ongoing results guiding enzyme evaluation and method development in clinical and forensic toxicology.

My family is from England and Ireland.

Co-Three Minute Thesis Coordinator: Anna Grace Towler

I’m fourth-year PhD student in the Chemistry Program working in Dr. Ying Ge lab. My research uses mass spectrometry-based proteomics to study the pulmonary proteome from lung tissue samples. I’m particularly interested in characterizing changes in the lung extracellular matrix in response to various physiological processes.

I lI’m training for my first marathon which I’ll be racing in Madison in November!

Senior Advisor: Alexis Adrian

I’m sixth-year PhD student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. William Ricke lab. I study how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to diseases of aging.

I love to read!