Jack Bechtel

Biochemistry and Marine Biology | '19

My name is Jack Bechtel and I am a 19 year old Junior (3rd year) Biochemistry and Marine Biology double major. My primary role on the team is as the overall team administrator and Human Practices organizer, although I do manage to get into lab every once in a while. I am incredibly grateful to work with such an awesome group of dedicated, supportive, and sarcastic people that I am happy to call my friends.

Besides my involvement with iGEM, I also am a member of Campus Student Government, perform research in the Phillips Maize Genetics Lab, and work on a honey farm! As a certifiable human person my hobbies and interests include; sleeping, raising cephalopods, communicating via GIF, and irregularly playing Ping Pong.

Harrison Fleming

Biology | '18

I am a senior cell and molecular biology major with a minor in chemistry and this is my third and final year on our team! During this year’s project I assisted Jack with administrative duties as well as performing minor laboratory protocols as needed. I also helped build the presentations for our different events and presented at the “Let’s Talk about That: GMOs” event. After graduation I hope to go onto either a position in the pharmaceutical industry or work in a medical research laboratory. In my free time I enjoy watching Netflix, playing cello, and playing rousing games of ping pong against Troy.

Troy Moench

Mathematics and Computer Science | '18

My name is Troy Moench and I am currently a senior with majors in Mathematics and Computer Science. I was in charge of the design and implementation of the iGEM wiki for the second year in a row. I decided to join iGEM after hearing that the team was in need of a programmer for the wiki. While I don’t have a background in biology, I am excited to be part of a scientific research project. In my sparse free time, I enjoy playing rousing games of ping pong against Harrison, computer programming, and spending time with my friends.

Laura Sanford

Chemistry | '21

My name is Laura Sanford and I’m a freshman Chemistry major at WLC. For iGEM, I wrote articles on water pollution and water testing in developing countries, and I also spent a small amount of time in the lab. Next year, I hope to gain more experience in the lab. In summer, I held an internship at The Masterson Company in a Quality Assurance lab, but now I currently work in the Chemistry stockroom at WLC. I enjoy practicing flute and piano, challenging whoever will play me to a game of foosball, and hanging out with my friends and family.

Emily Palm

Biology and Psychology | '20

My name is Emily Palm and I am a Sophomore pursing a double major in biology and psychology with a double minor in chemistry and mathematics. My goal is to go to grad school and become a neuroscience researcher. This is my first year on the iGEM team and I have enjoyed the lab experience and comradery that this team has given me. In my free time I love doing anything in the outdoors, especially hiking, camping, and kayaking. When I’m not outdoors I enjoy baking, and being with friends and family.

Dr. James Henkel

Assistant Professor of Biology

Dr. James Henkel is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Wisconsin Lutheran College, serving the college with a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Masters in Clinical Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. His area of interest is in Microbial Pathogenesis, specifically Chlamydia trachomatis small GTPase recruitment, bacterial toxin mechanisms of action, and microbial metabolism. As an advisor for the iGEM club, both he and Dr. Werner greatly enjoy working with so many bright and enthusiastic students. Dr. Henkel enjoys biochemistry, reading, hiking, and biochemistry.