Our 2024-2025 MMOD Trainees

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Rachelle Nelson

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

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

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

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

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

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 Buksh III

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).