D-Lab: Undergraduate Trainees

Academics / Welcome to the D-Lab / People

The heart and soul of the D-lab are its people. Current students and a growing legion of alumni who are making their mark in diverse scientific careers across the country and abroad.

I enjoy mentoring undergraduates of diverse backgrounds in and out of the classroom and thrive in exciting and empowering them about the scientific process, scientific discoveries, and scientific achievements. I stress the relevance of science within the context of an undergraduate liberal arts education in a multicultural global society and the value of being civic-minded. In addition to active involvement in scientific explorations in the classroom and laboratory, students are encouraged to work with me as peer teachers and writing consultants. Students are encouraged to become involved in undergraduate research with Lake Forest faculty or elsewhere, to attend and present their research at local or national scientific conferences, to engage in career development internships, experience other cultures, and volunteer time for community service. Till date, over 65 undergraduates have been trained in collaborative research experiences in our lab. Most of the graduates have pursued advanced graduate degrees and scientific careers.

Current Associates (2018–2019)

Yoan Ganev ’19, Lab Manager	Neuroscience and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major Project: Covalent modifications on alpha-synuclein 2016 Richter Scholar 2017-18 Senior Thesis in Neuroscience/Biology 2017 GLC-ASPET meeting (First Prize) 2017 & 2018 Bartram Research Scholar 2018 ASBMB/EB meeting (San Diego, CA) 2018 APDA-Parkinson’s Foundation Grant 2018 SfN meeting (San Diego, CA)
Chisomo Mwale ’19, Lab Manager	Neuroscience major Project: Toxicity of New familial mutants 2016 Richter Scholar 2017-18 Senior Project in Neuroscience 2017 GLC-ASPET meeting (2nd Prize) 2017 & 2018 Bartram Research Scholar 2018 Foster G. McGaw Scholarship 2018 SfN meeting (San Diego, CA) 2018 FUN-SfN Travel Award
Niam Abeysiriwardena ’20	Neuroscience and Computer Science major Project: New genetic mutants 2017 Richter Scholar 2018 Northwestern University Summer Research 2019 Parkinson’s Foundation-APDA Grant 2019 Goldwater Scholar
Carris Borland ’20	Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major Project: Familial mutants and Stress pathways
Matthew McMahon ’21	Neuroscience major Project: Acetylation mimicking mutants 2018 Richter Scholar
Zubair Mohammed ’21	Neuroscience major; Economics minor Project: Synuclein family 2018 Richter Scholar
Kang Ryul-Min ’21	Biology major, neuroscience minor Project: New familial mutants 2018 Richter Scholar
Bilal Khan ’22, Richter Scholar	Neuroscience and Psychology major Project: Synuclein family and Lipid regulation 2019 Richter Scholar
Kealey Humphrey ’22, Richter Scholar	Neuroscience and Psychology major Project: Synuclein family 2019 Richter Scholar
Barry Khim ’22, Richter Scholar	Neuroscience major Project: The Toxicity of H50Q mutant 2019 Richter Scholar
Thea Grauer, Libertyville High School ’20	Future undergraduate neuroscience major Project: Modifications of alpha-synuclein

D-Lab Alums (2001–2016)

Dr. Brandon Johnson ’03	PhD, Stanford University Postdoc, Stanford University Professor, Hawaii Pacific University Biology & Chemistry double major Senior thesis 2002-2003 Project: Budding yeast alpha-synuclein model ASBMB Undergraduate Travel Award 2003 NIH-NRSA Predoctoral Fellowship (2006-2009) NSF graduate fellowship Honorable Mention 2005
Dr. Samantha England ’04	PhD, University of Rochester Postdoc, University of Rochester Scientist, University of Calgary Biology major, Chemistry minor Project: Fission Yeast model for alpha-synuclein
Dr. Nijee Sharma ’04	MD/PhD, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine Neurology Residency, University of California-Davis Fellowship, UC San Francisco Professor, UC San Francisco Biology major, Chemistry minor Senior Thesis 2003-2004 Project: Proteasomal regulation of alpha-synuclein Phi Beta Kappa Senior Thesis Award 2004 Council of Undergraduate Research Fellowship 2003 ASBMB Undergraduate Travel Award 2004 First Prize, ASBMB Undergraduate competition 2004 Third Prize, Chicago SFN meeting 2003
Rity Upadhyaya ’04	MA, Northwestern University Computer Science major
Dr. Konrad Bienia ’04	MD, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Biology and Chemistry double major
Dr. Isaac Holmes ’05	MD, Rush Medical College Cardiology Residency, Rush Medical Center Professor, New York University Biology and Chemistry double major Project: Nucleation polymerization hypothesis and alpha-synuclein ASBMB travel award 2004 Parkinson’s Disease Foundation grant 2004 First Prize, Chicago SfN meeting 2004
Dr. Sara Herrera ’05	MD, Medical College of Wisconsin Surgery Residency, Detroit City Hospital Cardiothoracic Fellowship, University of Iowa Biology and Chemistry double major Senior Thesis 2004-2005 Project: Ubiquitin-Proteasome regulation, E46K analysis, Nitration 2005 Northwestern Univ SURF Award NIH diversity research grant 2004-2005 National Institute of Aging ASCB-MAC Travel Award 2004
Dr. Olga Mikhaylov ’05	MD, Rush Medical College, Surgery Residency, Detroit Biology major, Chemistry minor Project: Budding yeast model for alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2002
Dr. Arun Paul ’05	MD/PhD, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science; Radiation Oncology Residency, Wayne State University Biology and Chemistry double major Project: STP2 regulation of alpha-synuclein First Prize, Chicago SfN meeting 2005
Dr. Katrina Brandis ’06	PhD, Washington University St. Louis Director of Research and Secondary Science Teacher, Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School Biology major Senior Thesis 2005-2006 Project: Oxidative stress and alpha-synuclein ASBMB Travel Award 2005 Richter Scholar 2004 2005 Phi Beta Kappa Senior Thesis Award
Melissa Stevenson ’06	Physician Assistant, New Mexico State University Biology major Project: Chaperone regulation of alpha-synuclein
Dr. Jessica Price ’06	MA/PhD University of Wisconsin Madison (current) Scientist, Nature Conservancy Biology major, English minor Project: Endocytosis regulation of alpha-synuclein
Dr. Ruja Srestha ’07	PhD, University of Rochester Postdoc, University of Berkeley Chemistry major Project: Sugar Chaperones and Alpha-synuclein
Dr. Tulaza Vaidya ’07	PhD, University of Rochester Postdoc, Cornell University Chemistry major Project: Oxidative stress and alpha-synuclein
Dr. Michael White ’07	MD, University of Buffalo; Neurology residency, Washington University Fellow, Harvard University Professor, Harvard University Biology major, Chemistry minor Senior thesis 2006-2007 Project: E46K alpha-synuclein analysis Second Prize, Chicago SFN meeting 2007
Dr. Michael Zorniak ’07	PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Postdoctoral Fellow, Scripps Research Institute Medical Liason, Novartis Inc. Biology major, Chemistry minor Senior Thesis 2006-2007 Project: Mitochondrial stress, phosphorylation, and alpha-synuclein Second Prize, Chicago SfN meeting 2006
Dr. Lokesh Kukreja ’08	PhD and Postdoc, Northwestern University Biology major, Chemistry minor, Senior Thesis 2007-2008 Project: phospholipid specificity and alpha-synuclein ASCB Travel Award 2007 Parkinson’s Disease Foundation grant 2007
Dr. Stephanie Valtierra ’08	PhD, Northwestern University (current) Biology major, Chemistry minor Science pathway Leader, CAC, Lake Forest College Senior Thesis 2007-2008 Project: Phosphorylation analysis of alpha-synuclein ASCB-MAC Travel Award 2007 First Prize, ASCB MAC poster session 2007 Second Prize, Chicago SFN meeting 2008
Dr. Mithaq Vahedi ’08	MD, Thomas Jefferson University Biology and Chemistry double major Project: Endocytosis regulation of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2006
Sina Vahedi ’08	MD studies, Thomas Jefferson University Biology and Chemistry double major Project: E46K analysis of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2006
Tasneem Saylawalla ’08	Biology and English major Project: Proteasome regulation of alpha-synuclein Interested in science journalism
Lavinia Sinitean ’08	MSN, Indiana University Office Manager, Physician Practice Biology and Spanish major Project: Lab Assistant Interested in public health
Alexandra Ayala ’09	K-12 Math/Science Teacher, Teach for America Biology major, Chemistry minor Senior thesis 2008-2009 Project: Endocytosis regulation of alpha-synuclein Honorable Mention, Chicago SFN meeting 2008
Dr. Ray Choi ’09	MD, University of Colorado; Anesthesiology residency, University of Washington Biology major, Chemistry and French minor Senior thesis 2008-2009 Project: Autophagy regulation of alpha-synuclein Third Prize, Chicago SFN meeting 2009
Dr. Nengding Wang ’09	PhD, Northwestern University (current) Biology major, Chemistry minor Project: Chaperone analysis of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2006
Michael Fiske ’10	PhD studies in Neuroscience, Northwestern University Biology major Senior Thesis, 2009-2010 NIH-NRSA Fellowship, 2016 NSF Predoctoral Fellowship 2011 Honorable Mention Phi Beta Kappa Senior Thesis Award 2010 Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Undergraduate Grant 2009 Barry Goldwater Scholarship Honorable Mention 2009 Richter Scholar 2007 First Prize, Chicago SFN meeting 2009
Jaime Perez ’10	Orthotist, Hanger Inc. MA in Prosthetics/Orthtotics University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Senior Thesis, 2009-2010 Biology & Art double major Project: Endocytosis regulation of alpha-synuclein
Carlos Becerra ’10	MSN studies, Depaul University Biology major, Chemistry minor Project: Proteasome regulation of alpha-synuclein
Rebecca Brezinsky ’11	MPH, Mississippi State University Biology and Environmental Studies double major Project: Post-translational modification on alpha-synuclein
Julian McLain ’11	MD Studies, RFUMS Chemist Chemistry major, Biology minor Project: Autophagy regulation of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2009 Planning on Medical School
Will Press ’11	Biology & Economics major Project: Proteasome regulation of alpha-synuclein
Daniel Sanchez ’11	Pathologist Technician, Lake Forest Hospital Biology major, Neuroscience minor NIH-ARRA Summer Research Grant 2009 Project: Autophagy regulation of alpha-synuclein
Dr. Keith Solvang ’11	MD, RFUMS MA, RFUMS Biology major, Chemistry minor Senior Thesis 2010-2011 Project: Phosphorylation and nitration regulation of alpha-synuclein NIH-ARRA Summer Research Grant 2009 First Prize, GLC-ASPET meeting 2011
Dr. Alina Konnikova ’11	MD, University of Illinois Chicago; Residency, Medical College of Wisconsin Biology major, Chemistry minor Senior Thesis 2010-2011 Project: Autophagy regulation of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2008 First Prize, GLC-ASPET meeting 2010
Madhavi Senagolage ’12	PhD, Northwestern University Postdoctoral fellowship, University of Chicago Biology major, Chemistry & Neuroscience minor Senior Thesis 2011-2012 Project: Endocytosis regulation of alpha-synuclein Second Prize, Chicago SFN meeting 2011 2011 FUN & SFN Travel Awards for Society for Neuroscience Meeting
Dr. Kayla Ahlstrand ’12	DVM, University of Wisconsin, Madison Biology and Neuroscience double major Project: Autophagy regulation of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2009 2011-2012 LFC-RFUMS Scholar
Dr. Pete Sullivan ’12	PhD, Cornell University Postdoctoral fellowship, University of Washington Biology major, Chemistry minor Project: Autophagy regulation of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2009 2011-2012 LFC-RFUMS Scholar
Natalie Kukulka ’13	MD, University of Missouri, Columbia Research Technician, Northwestern Lurie Children’s Hospital Neuroscience and Biology double majors, Art minor Project: Combinatorial familial mutant analysis of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2010, Senior Thesis 2012-2013 MD applicant 2014 2011 Fall- Study Abroad in New Zealand Third Prize, Chicago SfN meeting 2013 2013 Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Summer Research Grant
Rida Khan ’14	MS/MBA Johns Hopkins University Research Scientist, Abbott Labs Biology major & Neuroscience minor Project: Endocytosis regulation of alpha-synuclein toxicity Richter Scholar 2011 2013-2015 Research Scientist, Valent Biosciences 2015-present MBA/MS Johns Hopkins University
Katrina Campbell ’14	PhD studies in Neuroscience, Northwestern University NIH IRTA Fellow, Rocky Mountain Labs Biology major, Spanish & Neuroscience minors Project: Amino acid determinants of alpha-synuclein pathotoxicity Richter Scholar 2011 Interested in biomedicine 2012 Fall- Study Abroad in New Zealand Second Prize, Chicago GLC-ASPET meeting 2012
Ryan Vlaar ’14	Biology and Environmental Studies major Project: Combinatorial familial mutant analysis of alpha-synuclein 2011 Richter 2012-2014 Glen Rowan Garden Intern
Michael Herriges ’15	MD studies, St Georges University (U.K.) Biology and Chemistry major Project: Combinatorial familial mutant analysis of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2012 2016 MD studies at St Georges University (UK)
Galina Lipkin ’15	Masters in counseling, NEIU Scientist, Valent Biosciences Biology & Spanish majors Project: Amino acid determinants of alpha-synuclein pathotoxicity; Sumoylation of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2012 2015-2016, Research Scientist, Valent Biosciences 2018 MA in Counseling, Northeastern Illinois University
Maiwase Tembo ’15	PhD studies at University of Pittsburgh Biology/Neuroscience majors Project: Lysosomal based degradation of alpha-synuclein; New familial mutations First Prize, Chicago GLC-ASPET meeting 2013 Third Prize, Chicago SfN meeting 2014 2015 Senior thesis with distinction in biology and neuroscience 2015-present PhD studies in Life Science, University of Pittsburgh
Maribel Munoz ’16	MD studies, University of Illinois at Chicago Neuroscience major, Biology & Chemistry minors Project: C-terminal truncation of alpha-synuclein (GFP at C-term) Interested in biomedicine Richter Scholar 2013 2014-2016 Research in Organic Chemistry 2017-2018 Reserach assistant, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Sarah Chiren ’16	Research technologist, RFUMS Neuroscience major; Religion minor Project: C-terminal truncation of alpha-synuclein (GFP at N-term) Interested in biomedicine Richter Scholar 2013 Chicago GLC-ASPET meeting 2013 2016-2017 Research Assistant, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science 2017 MD applicant
Khadijah Hamid ’16	DO studies, University of Arkansas 2016-2018 Lab Manager, Northwestern University Biology/Neuroscience majors Project: Sumoylation of alpha-synuclein & splice variants Interested in biomedicine Richter Scholar 2013 Chicago GLC-ASPET meeting 2014
Jyothis James ’16	PhD studies, Texas A&M Masters in Syrillic languages, Kerala, India Neuroscience and Philosophy majors Project: C-terminal truncation of alpha-synuclein (GFP at N-term) Interested in Neuroethics Richter Scholar 2013 Chicago GLC-ASPET meeting 2013
Saul Bello Rojas ’16	PhD studies, Washington University Saint Louis 2017-2018 PREP program, Northwestern University 2016-2017 Research Technologist, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine Neuroscience major and chemistry minor Project: Synuclein variants and new familial mutants 2015 Chicago SfN meeting 2015 Second prize, GLC-ASPET meeting
Charles Alvarado ’16	Middle school Science Teacher, Waukegan 2017-2018 Behavioral Therapist, Lake Forest Hospital 2016-2017 MAT, Lake Forest College Neuroscience and Education major Project: Nitrosylation of alpha-synuclein Interested in K-12 science education Richter Scholar 2013 First Prize, Chicago GLC-ASPET meeting 2014
Morgan Marshall ’16	Master's in Biomedical Communication studies, UIC 2016-2018 Research Technologist, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine Biology major and Art minor Project: New familial mutants of alpha-synuclein First Prize, 2016 Chicago SfN meeting
Alexandra Roman ’16	MD studies Medical College of Wisconsin 2016-2018 Research Technologist, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Neuroscience major; Chemistry and Music minors Project: Sumolylation of alpha-synuclein Richter Scholar 2013 Chicago GLC-ASPET meeting 2013 Third Prize, Chicago SfN meeting 2015 Nu Rho Psi national grant, 2015
Logan Graham ’17	MBA-MHA studies, Xavier University 2017- Vet Tech, Winnetka Animal Hospital Neuroscience major Project: Splice variants or familial mutants 2014 Richter Scholar 2015 Research in Costa Rica 2017 Research in Equador
Cam Gudmundson ’17	2017 Abbvie labs (Scientist) Biology major Project: N-domain deletion mutants 2014 Richter Scholar 2017 Abbvie labs (Scientist)
Ana McCracken ’17	MD Studies, UIC Neuroscience major Project: N-domain deletion mutants 2014 Richter Scholar 2016 Research in Organic Chemistry 2016 Research Structural Biology (Germany) 2018 MD applicant
Peyton Schrag ’17	CEO, Paleo Products Biology major; Neuroscience and Spanish minors Project: Splice variants or familial mutants 2014 Richter Scholar 2015 Research in Costa Rica 2017 Research in Equador
Emily Ong ’17	2017- Medical Scribe, Lake Forest Neuroscience major Project: Substitutions of new familial mutants Interested in biomedicine 2016 Parkinson Disease Foundation Grant 2017 Bartram Research Scholar 2017 Chicago SfN meeting 2017 ASBMB/EB meeting 2017 Phi Beta Kappa Senior Thesis Award 2017 Senior Thesis with Distinction 2018 MD applicant
Paul Jones ’18	2018 PhD studies Washington University Saint Louis Neuroscience major and Chemistry minor Project: Splice variants and C-terminal truncations; PD risk genes 2015 Richter Scholar 2016 Nu Rho Psi national grant 2017 Senior Thesis in Neuroscience 2017 & 2018 Bartram Research Scholar 2017 & 2018 ASBMB/EB meetings 2017 ASCB meeting 2018 ASBMB meeting
Viktoriya Georgieva ’18	Neuroscience and psychology major Project: Combinatorial mutants of new familial mutants 2015 Richter Scholar 2018 Reserach Technician, Northwestern University
Yuliya Zayats ’18	2018 DO studies, Midwestern University Biology major Project: Nitrosylation of alpha Synuclein 2015 Richter Scholar 2016 Research in Costa Rica 2017 MD applicant
Rosemary Thomas ’18	Neuroscience and Biology majors Project: Sumoylation, Phosphorylation, and familial mutants 2015 Richter Scholar 2016 GLC-ASPET meeting, Second Prize 2017 ASBMB/EB meeting (Chicago, IL) 2018 Senior Thesis with Distinction in Neuroscience/Biology 2017, 2018 Bartram Research Scholar 2019 Medical School Applicant
Michael Buabeng ’19	Neuroscience major Project: New familial mutants and altered nitration and sumoylation 2017, 2018 Research at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Danielle Sychowski ’19	Neuroscience major Project: Truncations and splice variants of alpha-synuclein 2016 Richter Scholar 2017, 2018 Research at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Ariane Balaram ’20	Neuroscience and Biology major Project: PD risk genes and alpha-synuclein 2017 Richter Scholar 2018 Bartram Research Scholar 2018 Nu Rho Psi National Grant 2018 GLC-ASPET Meeting (First Prize) 2018 SfN meeting (San Diego, CA)
Ruqia Bibi ’20	Neuroscience and Biology major Project: Latest alpha-synuclein sporadic and familial mutants 2018 Bartram Research Scholar
Alexsandra Biel ’20	Neuroscience and Psychology major Project: Substitution of new familial mutants 2017 Richter Scholar 2018 LFC-RFUMS Summer Research Scholar
Joseph Mountain ’20	Neuroscience major and Religion minor Project: Substitution of new familial mutants 2017 Richter Scholar 2018 University of Minnesota Summer Research
Leslie Gonzales ’21	Neuroscience and Psychology major Project: Acetylation and Glycation Blocking mutants 2018 Richter Scholar
Estella Tcaturian ’21	Neuroscience major Project: Covalent modifications of alpha-synuclein in yeast 2018 Richter Scholar
Ananta Srivastava, Lake Forest Academy ’18	Undergraduate neuroscience major Johns Hopkins University Project: Beta synuclein in yeast
Pranav Anand, California Public School ’19	Undergraduate neuroscience major University of Pennsylvania Project: Gamma synuclein in yeast

Kalamazoo Alums (1999–2001)

Laura Maxson ’00	PA, University of Michigan PhD program, Yale University U.S. Fulbright Scholarship NIH-IRTA Fellowship
Dr. Dan Appledorn ’00	PhD, Michigan State University Postdoc, Michigan State University
Dr. Aash Bhatt ’01	MD, Wayne State University Residency, University of Iowa
Dr. Geetha Athappilly ’01	MD, Michigan State University Residency, University of Colorado
Dr. Anne Hinz ’02, MD	MD, Washington University St. Louis

Welcome to the Exciting Life of an Undergraduate Research Scholar

live/richters_and_mentors.jpg Doing research
Keeping records
Managing/running lab
Working in teams
Mentoring newer students
Attending conferences
Presenting research
Reading/writing papers
Leading journal clubs
Defending theses
Preparing manuscripts
Applying for grants & fellowships
Socializing in & out of lab
Graduating/celebrating
Attending Lab reunions
…and so much more

Congratulations

	2017 D-lab graduate- Emily Ong ’17 for receiving the 2017 Phi Beta Kappa Senior Thesis Award!
	Dr. Nijee Sharma Luthra, MD/PhD ’04! For completing your movement disorders fellowship and becoming a faculty member of the Department of Neurology at the University of California San Francisco!
	Dr. Michael Zorniak, PhD ’07! For becoming Associate Direcctor (Oncology Medical Science Liaison) at Novartis Pharmaceuticals!
	Dr. Lokesh Kukreja, PhD ’08! For your new position as Senior Scientist at Protocol Link, Inc!
	Michael Fiske ’10! For receiving a 2016-2019 NIH-NRSA award to pursue your PhD in Neuroscience at Northwestern University!
	Madhavi Senagolage ’12! For your progress in your PhD studies at Northwestern- we were delighted to hear of your co-authored paper in the journal CELL in 2016!
	Katrina Campbell ’14! For completing your NIH-IRTA fellowship at the NIH Rocky Mountain Labs and for acceptance into multiple PhD programs, including at Darthmouth and Northwestern. We are delighted you are returning to Chicago!
	2016 Lab senior graduates! Morgan Marshall ’16
	Charles Alvarado ’16
	Alexandra Roman ’16

Snapshots

Memorable Reunions

The mega-awesome 2015 D-Lab Reunion at the Lake Bluff Maevery Public House! Attendees: Isaac Holmes ’05, Michael White ’07, Katrina Brandis ’06, Stephanie Valtierra ’08, Brian Kinsman ’09, Michael Fiske ’10, Jaime Perez ’10, Alina Konnikova ’11, Keith Solvang ’11, Natalie Kukulka ’13,Chris Way ’14 and Wase Tembo ’15, and current lab members
The awesome 2013 D-Lab Reunion at the Lake Bluff Microbewery! Attendees: Brandon Johnson ’03, Isaac Holmes ’05, Michael White ’07, Lokesh Kukreja ’08, Stephanie Valtierra ’08, Michael Fiske ’10, Alina Konnikova ’11, Keith Solvang ’11, Madhavi Senagolage ’12, Natalie Kukulka ’13, and Katrina Campbell ’14
Nijee Sharma ’04 returns to campus for a biology department seminar in 2008. D-Lab meets for a reunion dinner:
Samantha England ’04 returns to present a biology department seminar in 2009 and that’s cause for another reunion celebration:
Katrina Brandis ’06 returns to be the keynote speaker for Eukaryon’s seventh volume inauguration in 2011, and we end that with a celebration:

Toasting Graduates

Brandon Johnson ’03 with his senior thesis defense committee:
Brandon Johnson ’03 graduating from LFC, and heading on to Stanford University for his biology PhD:
Celebratory dinner in 2004 for Nijee Sharma ’04 and Samantha England ’04:
Samantha England ’04 Graduates in 2004 and heads of to University of Rochester:
A graduation party for Michael Fiske ’10 and Jaime Perez ’10:
Keith Solvang ’11 and Alina Konnikova ’11 complete their theses and the lab celebrates with them:
Pete Sullivan ’12 and Madhavi Senagolage ’12 complete their theses and the lab celebrates with them:

Milestones!

Samantha England ’04 turns 21!
Nijee Sharma ’04 gets married in 2011; Sara Herrera ’05 also attends!

Undergraduate Highlights

Brandon Johnson ’03 presents his first national meeting poster at the 2003 Experimental Biology meeting in San Diego CA. He received a travel award from the American Society for Molecular Biology and Biochemistry to present his work at the meeting:
Samantha England ’04 presents her first poster at the 2003 LFC Student Symposium:
Samantha England ’04 and Nijee Sharma ’04, jointly present their research at the at the 2004 Chicago Signal Transduction Symposium and the 2003 American Society of cell Biology meeting at San Francisco (CA) :
Nijee Sharma ’04 presents research at the 2003 Chicago Society for Neuroscience Meeting and receives Third Prize at its undergraduate poster session:
Nijee Sharma ’04 receives an ASBMB Travel Award to present her senior thesis at the 2004 annual ASBMB Meeting, Boston (MA), and receives the First Prize at this national-level undergraduate poster session, which does not surprise us at all as she also receives Lake Forest College’s *Phi Beta Kappa senior thesis award that year:*
Nijee Sharma ’04 and Isaac Holmes ’05 travel to Capital Hill Washington DC in spring 2004 to present their research to U.S. senators and Congressmen to advocate for science funding:
Isaac Holmes ’05 presents his research to his proud mother at the 2004 Chicago Society for Neuroscience Meeting, where he won the FIRST Prize in the undergraduate poster session:
Sara Herrera ’05 receives a $25000 NIH diversity supplement grant t o conduct her senior thesis. She also receives a 2007 American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB) Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) travel award funded by the National Institute of Aging. At the meeting, she receives the First Prize at the MAC undergraduate poster session in 2004 ASCB Meeting in Washington DC:
Katrina Brandis ’06 receives the *Phi Beta Kappa senior thesis award* for outstanding senior thesis research at LFC, which she presents at the 2004 Society for Neuroscience meeting (San Diego CA) and the 2005 American Society for Cell Biology meeting in San Francisco (CA):
Michael White ’07 presenting his senior thesis poster at the 2006 American Society of Cell Biology meeting in San Diego, CA. Michael later also presents his work at the 2007 Chicago Society for Neuroscience Meeting, where gets the Second Prize for his work:
In 2007, two Michaels (White and Zorniak) conducted their senior theses in the lab. Here are both presenting a joint poster at the 2006 American Society of Cell Biology meeting in San Diego, CA:
Three good friends (Michael White ’07, Michael Zorniak ’07 and Lokesh Kukreja ’08) travel and present together at the 2007 ASCB Meeting in San Diego CA:
Lokesh Kukreja ’08 receives a travel award from the American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB) to present his research at the 2008 ASCB meeting (Washington DC):
Finally, Michael White ’07 travels to Oxford University (UK) and presents his work at the 2007 Gordon Research Conference on Stress Proteins in Growth and Development as the meeting’s only undergraduate participant:
Stephanie Valtierra ’08 receives a 2007 American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB) Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) travel award and the First Prize at the MAC undergraduate poster session in 2007 ASCB Meeting in Washington DC. Here she is at ASCB with her lab peers Alexandra Ayala ’09 and Lokesh Kukreja ’08:
Here is Stephanie Valtierra ’08 again presenting her senior thesis at the 2008 Chicago Society for Neuroscience Meeting, where she wins the Second Prize at its undergraduate poster session:
Alexandra Ayala ’09 presenting her research at the 2009 Great Lakes Chapter-American Society for Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics (GLC-ASPET) meeting, Chicago, IL, where she won the First Prize in the undergraduate poster session:
Ray Choi ’09 presents his senior thesis research at the 2009 ASCB meeting, which he later also presents at the 2010 Chicago SFN meeting, where he wins the Third Prize in the undergraduate poster session:
Alexandra Ayala ’09 presents her senior thesis research at the 2009 ASCB meeting, which she previously presented at the 2008 Chicago SFN meeting, where she received *Honorable Mention* in the undergraduate poster session:
Michael Fiske ’10 research at the 2009 ASCB meeting, which he also presents at the 2009 Chicago SFN meeting, where he receives *First Prize* in the undergraduate poster session:
Michael Fiske ’10 and Keith Solvang ’11 presents collaborative research at the 2009 Society for Neuroscience Meeting (Chicago, IL):
Jaime Perez ’10 presents his senior thesis research at the 2009 Society for Neuroscience Meeting (Chicago, IL):
Michael Fiske ’10 receives a UAN-ASBMB Travel Award to present his senior thesis research at the 2010 ASBMB meeting in Anaheim (CA), where he wins the First Prize in the national-level undergraduate poster competition, which does not surprise us because he also receives the *Phi Beta Kappa senior thesis award* for outstanding research at LFC:
Michael Fiske ’10 attends and presents his senior thesis at the 2009 Gordon Research Conference in New Hampshire— the only undergraduate to participate at this prestigious meeting:
Alina Konnikova ’11 presents senior thesis research at the 2010 GLC-ASPET meeting and receives the First Prize at its undergraduate session:
Madhavi Senaolage ’12 presents research at the 2011 Chicago SFN conference and receives the Second Prize at its undergraduate session:
Natalie Kukulka ’13 presents her Richter research at the 2011 Chicago SFN meeting— her first conference presentation:
Katrina Campbell ’14 presents her Richter research at the 2012 GLC-ASPET meeting and receives the Second Prize at its undergraduate session:
Wase Tembo ’15 presents her research at the 2013 GLC-ASPET meeting and receives the First Prize at its undergraduate session:
Option I Richter Scholars Charles Alvarado ’16 Sarah Chiren ’16, Jyothis James ’16, and Alex Roman ’16 presents their first-year research 2013 GLC-ASPET meeting t its undergraduate session:
Saul Bello Rojas ’16 presents his first-year research at the 2014 Chicago Society for Neuroscience meeting at its undergraduate session: