Noelle Cataldo
President
I’m a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. Cody Wenthur’s lab and Kevin Eliceiri’s 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.
Nina Hawkins
Treasurer
I’m a fourth-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.
Madeline wolfe
Co-fundraising & Scholarship Chair
I’m a second-year Ph.D. student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. Wheeler lab. My research focuses on understanding the role of EphA2 in head and neck cancer, with a particular interest in uncovering novel signaling pathways that shape and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment. As I continue to explore the complex interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding environment, I’m excited to contribute to research that may help advance our understanding of cancer biology and potential therapeutic approaches.
- Fun fact about me is that I have my boater’s license.
Amanda Allender
Professional Development Chair
I’m a fourth-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.
Madison dillerud
Co-Communications Chair
I’m a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. Tim Gomez’s lab. My research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie photoreceptor cell motility during retinal development. By studying how these cells move and organize during development, I hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of the processes that shape the developing retina.
Loren López-rivera
Co-Communications Chair
I’m a fourth-year PhD student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. LeBeau’s Lab. My research focuses on characterizing variable new antigen receptor (VNAR) antibodies against the ROR2 tyrosine kinase receptor to develop a bispecific MET×ROR2 therapeutic that addresses tumor heterogeneity in MET-driven cancers. This work integrates antibody engineering, cancer biology, and molecular pharmacology.
- Fun fact about me 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.
Ariella Thompson
Social Chair
I’m a second-year Ph.D. student in the Botany and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Ph.D. programs working in Dr. Chris Muir’s lab. My research focuses on the chemical ecology of trichomes in the subalpine and alpine monkeyflower, Mimulus tilingii. I’m interested in understanding the ecological roles of these specialized plant structures and the chemical compounds they produce.
- My fun fact is that I have backpacked in multiple states both on the West and East Coast but I have yet to do any backpacking in the Midwest, so TBD 🙂
Sarah Lofland
Outreach Coordinator
I’m third-year PhD student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program working in Dr. Jingshing Wu’s Lab. My research focuses on the role of hyper/hypoxia on cardiac maturation and development.
- Fun fact about me is that I “DJed” in Madrid when I was 18.
Abby Vesser
Co-Three Minute Thesis Coordinator
I’m third-year PhD student in the Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Program working in Dr. Heather Barkholtz’s 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 fun fact is that both of my parents are from Europe.
Anna Grace Towler
Co-Three Minute thesis Coordinator
I’m fifth-year PhD student in the Chemistry Program working in Dr. Ying Ge’s 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.
- My fun fact is that l’m training for my first marathon which I’ll be racing in Madison in November!
Fong Liew
Senior Advisor
I’mI a fifth-year PhD student in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry working in Dr. Brian Fox’s Lab. My research is to engineer a biochemical pathway that converts lignin degradation intermediates into precursors for industrially useful molecules such as adipic acid.
- My fun fact is that I have travelled to 23 countries so far.