Rachelle Nelson
2023-2025
A.S. Music Pedagogy, Union College; B.S. Elementary Education, Union College and B.S. 2022 Biomedical Science, Union College, Lincoln, NE
PhD in Progress, Department of Biochemistry
Research Project: Detangling the role of neddylation in regulating pyroptosis in vascular endothelium
Mentors: Dr. Xinghui Sun and Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk
About Me: In my free-time I enjoy reading, needlework crafts, kayaking, practicing Toki Pona, and spending time with my dog Rosie.
Brandon McDonald
2022-2024
B.S. 2020 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln M.S. 2022 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. in progress, Department of Biological Systems Engineering
Research Project: Develop theranostic tools to diagnosis and treat neurological disorders, with a specific emphasis on neurodegenerative disorders associated with repeated head impacts
Mentors: Dr. Forrest Kievit and Dr. Xinghui Sun
About Me: Enjoy playing recreational sports (Football, Basketball, Volleyball, etc.), Playing Chess, Running, Reading, Spending quality time with my wife (Hannah) and dog (Blue).
Carmen E. Perez Donado
2024-2025
B.S. 2015 Agroindustrial Engineering from Universidad del Atlantico - Colombia
PhD in progress, Department of Food Science and Technology
Research Project: Microbiota-based strategies to decrease Cd absorption from food: Understanding the effect of Cd exposure on the composition and function of human gut microbiotas
Mentors: Dr. Jennifer Auchtung and Dr. Devin Rose
Lucas Townsend
2024-2025
B.S. 2023 Microbiology & Genomics/Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University
PhD in progress, Department of Food Science and Technology
Research Project: Alleviation of gut inflammation through targeted promotion of Faecalibacterium by dietary tannins
Mentors: Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait and Dr. Andrew Benson
Emma Bergmeyer
2024-2025
B.S. 2023 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
PhD in progress, Department of Biochemistry
Research Project: Mitochondrial protein Afg1 and its role in human health and aging
Mentors: Oleh Khalimonchuk and Sathish Kumar Natarajan
Abby Bopp
2024-2025
B.S. 2023 Biochemistry, University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota
PhD in progress, Department of Biochemistry
Research Project: Cellular Signaling in Immunosuppresive Macrophages and Monocytes
Mentors : Dr. Ed Harris and Dr. Xinghui Sun
About Me: My interests include hanging out with my dog (Cash), Newest favorite thing to bake is pumpkin cream cheese muffins and I love baking all kinds of Christmas cookies, so mostly unhealthy sweet treats and spending time with family and friends.
Richard Buksch III
2024-2025
B.S. 2018 Biology and Chemistry, Montana State University-Billings
PhD in progress, Department of Chemistry
Research Project: Using integrated bioanalytical and structural approaches to determine the structure and assembly of the 7SK ribonuclear protein complex, a critical regulator of metazoan transcription.
Mentors: Dr. Catherine Eichhorn and Dr. Yihe Huang
About Me: After finishing my PhD, I want to pursue a career in academia. I currently spend most of my free time playing video games, spending time with my wife (Jenna) and dog (Freya).