D-Lab: Undergraduate Trainees

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

Brandon Johnson

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

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: Madhavi Senaolage
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: