2023
Mathea Caole
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Hongxia Fu
Mathea is a rising junior at the University of Washington majoring in Bioengineering and minoring in Music and Microbiology. This summer, she is working in the Fu Lab under the guidance of Dr. Hongxia Fu and Manasee Kelkar using human pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cell (hPSC-EC) models to target the von Willebrand factor (VWF). Her research includes characterizing the effects of new reagents/compounds to regulate VWF expression and developing pure arterial and venous cells from the lab’s hPSC-EC models. Her curiosity about medicine has led her from validating cell lines in Fred Hutch to developing point of care solutions in UW. Excited about research and making a positive impact on people’s lives, she hopes to pursue a PhD engaging in the fields of regenerative medicine, stem cells, and biomaterials. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing the flute and video games.
Jorryn Decker Clement
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Ricky Wang
Jorryn is a rising junior at the University of Washington, Seattle pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering (with an intended option in Data Science). This summer, he will be at the Wang Lab working on creating smartphone applications with integrated algorithms to obtain bacterial information from the skin or teeth as well as other projects utilizing the power of smartphone devices. During his free time, Jorryn enjoys playing sports with friends, jamming music with his family band as well as driving on long road trips.
JP Lopez Garcia
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Elizabeth Nance
JP is a rising senior attending The University of Washington studying Informatics and Public Health. This summer, he is working in the Nance Lab, where he is using data science to research the diseased brain and microglia cells through techniques such as image processing and assisting developing educational modules to enable more students to learn about data science in research. In his free time, JP enjoys listening to music, swimming, biking, and being outside.
Lily Nguyen
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Eleftheria Roumeli
Lily is a rising 3rd year attending the University of Washington Seattle pursuing a degree in Medical Laboratory Science. This summer, she is working in the Roumeli Lab in the MSE department, which focuses on engineering sustainable biological matter-based materials such as bioplastics, polymer blends, inks and filaments for 3D-printing, and cements. Her specific project will be exploring the chemical modifications of biological materials, specifically algae, for bioplastics applications to understand how the processing, composition, and ultrastructure of biomatter impact its mechanical properties. In her free time, Lily enjoys reading romance novels, going to the gym, and exploring new cafes and restaurants with friends.
Grace O’Connor
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Eric Seibel
Grace is a rising senior pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Washington. This summer, she is working to develop an emergency airway device within the BioRobotics Laboratory. In the future, she hopes to use engineering to contribute to advancements within the medical field. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, swimming, and cooking.
Rosemary Randall
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Mari Winkler
Rosemary is a rising junior at the University of Washington studying environmental science and resource management as well as geography with a concentration in data science. This summer, she is working in the Winkler Lab under postdoctoral researcher Korena Mafune to examine the efficacy of hydrogel-bound biofertilizers as a novel dispersal method to deploy nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing fungi and bacteria as well as laying groundwork for a pilot project on use of biochars for agricultural soil remediation. Beyond this summer, she hopes to continue exploring plant physiology and its connections to spatial distribution, community ecology, and landscape remediation through continued research and a focus on environmental problem-solving in her career. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and backpacking, reading, and tabletop gaming.
Russell Sam
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Benjamin Freedman
Russell is a rising senior at the University of Washington currently pursuing an honors degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. This summer he will be researching the relationship between diabetes and kidney disease and the phenotypes that occur in kidney cells under elevated glucose conditions. Outside of the lab, he enjoys performing on the cello, playing badminton and video games with friends, and baking desserts.
Daniel Shin
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Ying Zheng
Daniel is an incoming graduate student at the University of Washington – Seattle, and is pursuing a Masters in Applied Bioengineering. This summer, he is a CoMotion Innovation Intern, working directly with the Zheng Research Group to commercialize a novel tissue engineering technique for cultured meat scale-up, as well as for tissue regeneration applications. Daniel is passionate about the intersection between biotechnology and commercialization, and continues to work on his own lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology startup in his free time.
Sneha Sil
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Alshakim Nelson
Sneha is a rising senior at the University of Washington studying biochemistry and chemistry in the Interdisciplinary Honors program. She hopes to attend graduate school for medicinal chemistry. Her research in the Nelson Lab focuses on the investigation of Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) for in situ bioproduction of anti-inflammatory therapeutics in the GI tract. Outside of the lab, Sneha’s hobbies include reading, creative writing, and collecting fountain pens.
Francesca Wang
Institute: University of Washington
Mentor: Christoph Hofstetter
Francesca is a senior attending University of Washington to study Computer Science. This summer, she is working on a project to streamline the questionnaire process for new patients and generate a patient summarizing note to doctor using chatGPT in the app SpineHealthie in Christoph P. Hofstetter’s lab. During her free time, Francesca enjoys ice skating, going on outdoor trails, playing games, and cooking.