PRESIDENT
skye Brand
Skye’s research is focused on the development of pain circuits in the somatosensory nervous system. A fun fact about her is that she used to build robots and raise farm animals in her free time! She is so excited to serve as PBL president this year.
VICE PRESIDENT
Celeste DiGennaro
Celeste is co-advised by Dr. Jeremy Bird and Jeffery Mugridge, and works in strong collaboration with the Grimes lab in CBC. Her research focuses on elucidation of a special class of RNAs that are capped at the 5’ end with bacterial cell wall precursors. She is an energetic enthusiastic person who is passionate about making science education more accessible!
TREASURER
EVA SMith
Eva received her undergraduate degree at Ohio Northern University, where she earned her B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience and minors in Biology, Statistics, and Music. She loved learning about how research unearths brand new information and answers questions about human behavior and health. She became particularly interested in blending the fields of psychology and biology to understand how the complex relationship between biological and environmental factors can lead to different outcomes in later life. Currently, she’s a Neuroscience graduate student working in the lab of Dr. Tania Roth, where she researches how early life experiences can influence gene regulation via epigenetic mechanisms. Using various molecular techniques, she studies how DNA methylation is affected by prenatal opioid exposure and, as well as potential caregiving interventions that can improve these negative changes. Outside of the lab and teaching she enjoys spending time with her cat, Nimh, participating in local community music ensembles, and exploring the area with friends!
RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR
Jeff Waters
Jeff is a PhD student in Biological Sciences working in Dr. Xinqiao Jia’s lab studying salivary glands. He is looking forward to working on the executive board for PBL this year! Jeff really enjoys the outdoors and engage in the occasional run. He once hiked up a mountain during a hurricane - “10/10 do not recommend.”
OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Megan o’brien
Megan O'Brien will be the Outreach Coordinator for PBL this year! She is a PhD student in Dr. Yihang Li's lab working on understanding amino acid transporters in the weaning pig model. She is very excited to be a part of PBL and look forward to scheduling more scientific outreach to our community!
WORKSHOP COORDINATOR
kRISHNA THAKKAR
Krishna is a dual degree student pursuing a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and an MBA, combining scientific research with strategic leadership and management training. Her doctoral research focuses on understanding the role of transcription factors in eye lens development and how their perturbations contribute to ocular defects. Alongside academic pursuits, Krishna serves as the Workshop Coordinator, where she organizes and oversees scientific and professional development workshops that foster collaboration and skill-building among students and faculty.
MARKETING & MEDIA CREATOR
jess taney
Jess is a PhD student in Biological Sciences. She graduated from Chatham University with a bachelors degree in biology. She’s excited to be in PBL to encourage the next generation of future scientists and engineers. Her work in Dr. Jessica Tanis’ lab focuses on a novel role of a histone methyltransferase. When not in the lab, you can find Jess playing volleyball, doing arts and crafts, or spending time with friends and family!
MARKETING & MEDIA PUBLISHER
sOPHIA SHIENVOLD
Sophia is a PhD student in Biological Sciences. with a bachelors degree in biology, with minors in chemistry and spanish, from Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. Currently, she works in Dr. Chi Keung Lam’s lab, where she studies the effects of a novel post-translational modification on heart disease and metabolism. She joined PBL because to share her passion and love for science with kids, as well as show them the numerous opportunities science provides for careers. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking (as much as Delaware allows), spending time with friends, and playing with her cat, Sage!