People

B.S. Chemical Engineering University of Minnesota Duluth

Nicole earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth. As an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Lucas Busta, she utilized the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic engineering system in baker’s yeast to enhance the production of triterpenoids. Additionally, she spent a REU summer in the Van Lehn lab at UW Madison where she applied computational methods to predict polymer solubility for applications in solvent-targeted recovery and precipitation (STRAP) processing. She also completed an REU at the University of Chicago where she worked on nanoparticle delivery for small-molecule inducers of trained immunity. Outside research, Nicole loves downhill skiing and enjoys scientific outreach, traveling, cooking and baking, and visiting home in Minnesota.

BChE Chemical Engineering University of Delaware

Nastassja graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering. Her undergraduate research with Dr. Aditya Kunjapur involved the development of library generation protocols for screening amino acid motifs targeted by native protein-degradation pathways and cell-free biocatalytic cascades for the upcycling of plastic waste monomers to polymer precursors. In addition to her undergraduate studies, she worked as a formulation scientist at ACT Solutions Corp. where she designed topical formulations for enhanced delivery of lipophilic active ingredients and a product line containing phytochemical-based active ingredients. Outside of lab, Nastassja loves reading, STEM outreach, cooking and baking, and photography.

B.S. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of Maryland – College Park

Andrew completed his undergraduate degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Maryland – College Park. As an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Amy Karlsson’s group, he studied lipid-binding proteins and protein purification processes. He had an internship at the Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices in College Park where he worked in Dr. Bill Bentley’s group studying redox-active hydrogels and their applications to bacterial communication. When he isn’t in the lab, Andrew likes to play saxophone and piano, follow college football and basketball, and visit his family and cats in Maryland.

B.S. Biochemistry University of Kansas

Sarah completed her undergraduate degree in biochemistry at the University of Kansas. Her undergraduate research under the mentorship of Dr. Joanna Slusky focused on the structure and folding pathways of antibiotic resistance proteins. She spent a semester studying drug development and biotechnology in Copenhagen, Denmark and participated in a faculty-led marine biology program to Bonaire. Upon graduating from Kansas, Sarah completed a six-month co-op in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the pharmaceutical company, GSK. In her free time, Sarah enjoys traveling, reading, teaching her dog tricks, and visiting her family in Iowa.