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BioLunch Graduate Seminar Series

Previous Team Members

2025 Team

Nathan Crook, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Role: BioLunch Faculty Advisor
I am interested in developing new high-throughput experimental and computational genetic engineering techniques with a focus on the human gut microbiota.

Belinda Mativenga
Role: Biolunch Session Lead and Coordinator
I am a second-year PhD student in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department.  I am interested in the production of innovative in-line and at-line sensors, with a focus on biomanufacturing.

John Cheadle
Role: Biolunch Nominations Coordinator
I am a 3rd year PhD candidate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering researching genetic factors that influence bacterial colonization of plant roots.

Md Abul Shahid
Role: Biolunch Session Lead and Coordinator; Nominations Coordinator
I am a 3rd-year PhD candidate in Fiber and Polymer Science, researching chromatin fiber structure using single-molecule localization microscopy.

Carolyn Farling
Role: Biolunch Planning committee member and Chem department liason
I am a rising 5th year in Chemistry working on cytochrome P450s implicated in cancer progression

Shayan Moghaddam
Role: Biolunch Lunch Coordinator
I am a 1st-year PhD student working in the Kelly lab in the Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering department. My research focuses on utilizing extreme thermoacidophiles for extraction and purification of rare earth elements (REEs).

Ryden Crowther
Role: Session & Speaker Coordinator
I am a first-year PhD student in the Chemical Engineering department with interest in cell media development for cultivated meat applications.

Melika Osareh
Role: Website Coordinator
I am a third year PhD Student in the Brown Lab and Fisher Lab in Biomedical Engineering. My research focuses on developing an injectable hydrogel that enhances mesenchymal stem cell healing properties, specifically through exosomes.
Ayumi Mutoh
Role: Website Coordinator
I am a 3rd year PhD student in Statistics with interest in surrogate models for computer experiments.
Selen Dalgan
Role: Session lead and food coordinator
3rd year PhD student in Wei Lab working on paper based CRISPR Diagnostics.

2023 Team

Nathan Crook, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Role: BioLunch Faculty Advisor
I am interested in developing new high-throughput experimental and computational genetic engineering techniques with a focus on the human gut microbiota.

Orlando Arguello-Miranda, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology
Role: BioLunch Faculty Advisor
I am interested in discovering mechanisms of cellular dormancy through biochemistry and data science.

Adriana San Miguel, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Role: BioLunch Faculty Advisor
I am interested in developing platforms for deep phenotyping and longitudinal studies in C. elegans, by integrating microfluidics, automation, and computer vision. We use these to look at aging of the nervous system, neurodegeneration, and longevity.

Hrishikesh Mane
Role: Biolunch Coordinator
I am a 2nd-year graduate student in Dr. Adriana San Miguel’s lab in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department.

 

Ty Johnson
Role: Biolunch Coordinator
I am a 2nd-year graduate student in Dr. Albert Keung’s lab in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.  

Gautami Kelkar
Role: Biolunch Coordinator
I am a 3rd-year graduate student in the Keung lab in the Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering department. My research focuses on developing human organoid models for studying neurodevelopment.

 

2022 Team

Adriana San Miguel, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Role: BioLunch Faculty Advisor
I am interested in developing platforms for deep phenotyping and longitudinal studies in C. elegans, by integrating microfluidics, automation, and computer vision. We use these to look at aging of the nervous system, neurodegeneration, and longevity.

Nicholas Buchler, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences
Role: BioLunch Faculty Advisor
I am a biophysicist studying the cell cycle and metabolic rhythms in fungi.

Melanie Odenkirk
Role: BioLunch Coordinator
Melanie is a 3rd year graduate student in Erin Baker’s lab in the Department of Chemistry interested in improving analysis of mass spectrometry data and understanding the effects of biological variability. Melanie is also passionate about playing and listening to music and spending time on the water.